Party bosses used a system of coercion and bribes to maintain the power of their political machines. Using violence as a method to ward off opponents or intimidate enemies or potential voters these individuals utilized this method to serve their goals. Additionally party bosses used bribes and other financial incentives to maintain the power of their political machines.
The best option as to what shift has occurred as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union is "a shift from government-owned to privately-owned business," although it should be noted that this is a bit of a simplification.
