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| In Search of New Identity |
Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief
Russia is marking two anniversaries this spring that are of fundamental importance for its development.
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| Perestroika Through the Prism of History |
Vladimir Mau
Debates about perestroika in Russia seem destined to remain “What if” controversies. Whatever aspects of this period are being discussed, an intriguing question always stands out, explicitly or implicitly: Could the events have taken a different course? Or was it spurred by an accidental concourse of circumstances, mistakes and spontaneous whims of certain leaders? |
| "People Got Ready to Move..." |
Vladimir Degoyev
The voguish cliche of the perestroika period that "there is no alternative for us" initially forwarded the irreversibility of change, but soon acquired a belligerent revolutionary character, which overwhelmed even the moderates who usually take the time, at least, to look before leaping. The tragic irony was that while the majority was still debating on what it really wanted, the minority had already realized the importance of action. |
| "Homo Sovieticus" Limits of Self-Identification |
Yuri Levada
The twenty years that have passed since the start of reforms in Russian society have not resulted in the emergence of a "new" (contemporary, European, democratic, civic) base for self-identification, to say nothing of the self-assertion, of the Russian people. That is why characteristics of the Soviet man remain the real reference point. |
| Will Russia Transform Into a Nationalist Empire? |
Emil Pain
The peculiarities of Russia’s transformation and the essence of its unique development can be best understood from the position of its imperial past and present. In contrast to Central and East European countries, Russia cannot run away from the empire as it would from an external enemy; the empire complex can only be removed through its own efforts. |
| Fighting for Ukraine: What’s Next? |
Konstantin Zatulin
Ukraine changed forever following its 2004 presidential election, as did relations between Moscow and Kiev. The bitter feelings that this situation produces are not related to Russia’s defeat in this battle, but to the helplessness of its political warriors. Yet the fight for Ukraine continues. |
| Why Russia Won the Ukrainian Elections |
Andranik Migranyan
Yanukovich’s electoral defeat does not mean Russia’s defeat. His loss in the election means Russia’s deliverance from its previous hazardous policy line that failed to deliver fruit and, at the same time, created the illusion of a Russian presence – an ephemeral influence and obscure achievements which only served to veil the reality. |
| An Orange-Tinged Revolt |
Alexei Makarkin
The recent uprising in Kyrgyzstan became yet another element in the chain of revolutions that have swept the post-Soviet space. However, the Kyrgyz case vividly demonstrates that outward appearances hide serious differences in the causes and content of these developments. |
| The Post-Soviet Space in the Era of Pragmatism |
Tatyana Valovaya
In order to maintain and reinforce its positions in the post-Soviet territory, Russia must focus on enhancing the market-oriented and democratic transformations at home rather than defending that territory from "encroachment by alien powers". Russia must modernize its economic system and become fully integrated into the world economy. |
| Russia’s Place in the Global Economy |
Leonid Grigoriev
Issues involving the development and modernization of the Russian economy came to the forefront of public debate as Russia recorded its fifth consecutive year of economic growth. Russia has extensive resources but few variants for using them. |
| Unrelenting Oil Addiction |
Alexander Arbatov, Vladimir Feygin, Victor Smirnov
While in Soviet times there were reasons to speak of mineral extracting sectors – particularly oil and gas extraction – as a burden on the economy, analysts now tend to speak of the oil and gas sector as a locomotive promoting economic growth. This growth has been sound enough, which is made evident by the steady increase in the energy efficiency of the Russian economy. |
| The Specter of Immigration |
Anatoly Vishnevsky
In spite of all of its risks and challenges, immigration offers Russia a chance to survive and to carry out a kind of peaceful expansion. A strategy of diehard anti-immigration isolationism, on the other hand, will lead it nowhere. |
| Chinese Migration in Russia |
Vilya Gelbras
The shortage of manpower will force Russia to revise its immigration policy. Russia will have to resort to international experience in this complex issue and look for creative solutions. Moscow’s future immigration policy must stimulate the Chinese to come to Russia for employment. |
| Russian Colonization and Chinese Competition |
Dmitry Schreider
Starting from the mid-19th century, Chinese competition has been a perennial and incessantly pressing issue for Russian tradesmen and manufacturers in the Russian Far East region. But not much has been done in practical terms to sort out its essence, and, as years pass by, it is getting more and more complicated and obscure. |
| The Convenient Enemy |
Vladislav Inozemtsev
The "war on terror" will soon outpace World War II in terms of its scale and duration. Because the ruling elites of all the countries involved, without exception – the United States, Russia, Great Britain, Poland and many others – are vitally interested in it. |
| The Great Victory |
Sergei Lavrov
The experience of international camaraderie in arms is acquiring new significance as mankind is now confronting new challenges posed by
a new enemy, that is, international terrorism. Today, the very foundation
of civilization is being threatened once again. |
