Download Russian Public Policy - Linn-Mar Community School District Teacher

Russian Public Policy
Natasha Brown-Joel
Economy
Fall of Soviet Union basically rooted in economic problems and reforms
Since 1991 Russian economy has improved since advancement in areas of
privatized industries
In the summer, very few people in all social classes have running hot water for
weeks in Moscow because water plants shut down for maintenance every
year
People today are skeptical of the wisdom in policy makers and of new regimes
Today the economy is fueled greatly by oil and gas reserves
Perestroika Reforms
Gorbachev wanted to slow down government and have it be more traditional
consisting of market economy programs, price freedom and nationwide
privatization
Brought many political problems to the surface
Freedom of speech
Religious tolerance
Freedom of travel and communications
Legalization of oppositional political parties
The sudden economic shift left a majority of the national wealth with the elites
“Shock Therapy” Reforms
Yeltsin's “shock therapy” created chaotic conditions that resulted in small group
of entrepreneurs running economy
1991- Economy fell when government defaulted on billions of dollars of debt
from stock market losing half its values which threatened global economy
Russians suffered from introduction of free market
Under the Soviet government, jobs were secure but in 1991 unemployment
rates soared
Oligarchs and Mafia members were only ones that thrived
GDP
GDP rank
GDP by sector
$1.4 trillion (2017) (nominal)
12th (nominal)
Agriculture: 4%, Industry: 36.3%, Services: 59.7% (2014
est.)
Labour force
77 million (June 2016)
Labour force by
occupation
Agriculture: 9.7%, Industry: 27.8%, Services: 62.5%
Unemployment
5.4% (June 2016)
Average net
salary
(2012 est.)
RUB 383,000/€6,000/$6,500 annual (2016)
Foreign Policy
Soviet Union held dominance over huge portions of world for 20th century and
broke apart in 1991- dominance ended
1990s was filled with humiliation for Russia as Yeltsin had to rely on loans from
US and other countries for help
Putin in 21st century set out to re-define Russia's place in world with former
Soviet states
Tension between countries because of Putin
Foreign Policy- Relations with Near Abroad
Lack of formal powers but Russia still holds critical observations on other
countries
Trade agreements bind them together but nationality differences keep them
apart on decision making
CIS has issues and is long away from being a regional power like European
Union
In 2007, Estonian government removed Soviet era statue from public place in
capital resulting in protests from people in Moscow
Gas industries fight over power among surrounding countries
Relations with the West
Biggest adjustment for Russia is their loss of superpower status from Cold War
era, US emerged as lone superpower in 1991
Bush and Clinton both wanted to keep good relationships with Russia
Russia is currently negotiating membership in World trade organizations
Russia's relations with the west are defined greatly by their oil and gas
industries
After 9/11, Putin's solidarity with US seemed to mark new era with US, until
recently
Terrorism
Beslan school siege in southern Russia in 2004 with Muslim terrorists
Suicide bombing in subway station in Moscow and on Russian airplanes
Putin responded with reform package to boost security for emergencies
Laid out security and political reform that top officials would not be directly
elected but instead selected by president and approved by regional
legislatures
Recentralization of Power in Kremlin
Critics think Putin's reforms for selection of regional government is more than a
response to terrorism but is part of decentralization of power in the Kremlin.
Kremlin now controls major television stations and 75% of Russian gas
industries
Not clear if these moves mark beginning of the end of democratization in Russia
or actually reacting to terrorism similar to US and British governments
reactions after major attacks
Development of Civil Society
Russia has not had history of having civil society but since fall of Soviet Union it
has been more acknowledged and tried to be obtained
Many Russians believe Putin puts roadblocks in front of nonprofit organizations
to manage money
Managed democracy, Putin manipulates laws to benefit himself and business
owners
Russia influenced by tradition of having a strong government or die
Activists working to try and protect nonprofit areas in Russia but Putin makes it
difficult
Welfare State
Welfare includes:
maternity leave, child allowances, housing, paid vocations, medical care,elderly pensioners,
veterans, infants and children, expectant mothers, families with more than one child, and
people with disabilities
Many people live on threshold of poverty even with these benefits
Caused by fragmentation from Soviet Union and inflation
During Soviet Union, diverse services were available through lower levels of
government and ministries, mainly focusing on disabled and elderly
Human Development Index (HDI)
Index: .798
Ranked: 50
Population: 142.5 million
Life Expectancy: 70 years
Years of Schooling: 14 years
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1993- Constitution of Russia
Lack of multi-party system, only run under Putin (United Russia) who appoints a
prime minister who acts as ‘vice president’ (currently Dmitry Medvedev)
All communication and education is regulated by government
Telephone
Media
Radio
Telegraph
Gender Issues
Male community commonly engages in sexual harassment of women and If
women are offended, they are thought of as having lack of sense of humor
Pay is unequal with jobs
Much harder for women to take out a loan, creditors operate under presumption
they will not be able to pay back loan
Authorities rarely enforce help with problems against gender discrimination
Many LGBT members have fled because of the discrimination with propaganda
against them, no laws against this
Population and Migration
Emigration picked up in early 1900s with Jews leaving because of the pogroms
in Russia aimed at them, around 2 million left
During WWII, around one million mostly anti-communist Russians fled for west
In 1960s, 2 million Jews left when Kremlin relaxed Soviet Jewish community
regulations
In 2000, emigration slowed with popularity of Putin becoming president but has
picked up since 2012
Currently the largest emigrating group is the educated in search of work,
slowing Russian development and advancement in technology and systems
Environment
Many issues are directly tied to the country's history, as several policies enacted
during the Soviet Union's leadership were made with little regard for the
environment
Lots of endangered animals from history of importance to hunting with Siberian
Tiger, Polar Bear and Caucasian Leopard
Energy consumption and pollution control have low funding, relies heavily on
burning fossil fuels contributing to air pollution
Low funding for water treatment plants in rural areas
Outdated nuclear facilities for storage and disposal
United Kingdom vs. Russia
1. Has two major political parties
7. Has lots of endangered animals because of
hunting history
2. Has HDI rank of 14
3. Has average national income of $20,000 per
year
8. Does not have much regulation from
government
4. Has welfare for citizens
9. Is behind in advancements towards technology
and pollution control
5. Is an immigration destination
10.Has a life expectancy of 70 years
6. Economy is rooted in nationally run oil
industries
Answers
1. United Kingdom
7. Russia
2. United Kingdom
8. United Kingdom
3. Russia
9. Russia
4. Both
10.Russia
5. United Kingdom
6. Russia
Works Cited
http://factsanddetails.com/russia/Government_Military_Crime/sub9_5a/entry-5197.html
http://www.usrussianbusiness.com/images/russian-wealth.gif
https://russiaeu.ru/en/russian-foreign-policy
http://www.baltic21.org/environment/russia.html
http://in.rbth.com/society/2015/04/06/gender_equality_in_russia_still_a_long_way_to_go_42419
https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/problem-russias-best-and-brightest
http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/RUS
https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/ourrussian-ally/is-there-freedom-of-religion
http://countrystudies.us/russia/54.htm