In Russian culture, blat (Russian: блат) is a form of corruption comprising a system of informal agreements, exchanges of services, connections, Party contacts, or black market deals to achieve results or get ahead.
In the context of corruption in the Soviet Union, blat was widespread because of the permanent shortage of consumer goods and services. This was due to the administrative-command economy and coexistent maladministration. Networks of blat made it easier for the general public to gain access to much-coveted goods and services. Blat also took place at the enterprise-level in the form of tolkachs, employees whose explicit role was to exploit their networks to secure positive outcomes for their employers.
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