Privatization involves transferring state-owned or controlled enterprises to private ownership or control. It has involved two phases in Russia: 1) distributing vouchers to citizens to purchase state enterprises, and 2) permitting cash purchases of state enterprises, enabling foreign investment. While privatization aims to improve efficiency, it can also be driven by greed and corruption at the expense of public services, workers, and accountability. The terms "public" and "private" are complex with both governmental and common/societal meanings in different contexts.