Conceptual failure of post-Soviet integration

Abstract

This work makes an attempt to retrospectively analyze and systematize the trade and political approaches and defining motives of the post-Soviet states in the formation of foreign economic relations. A systematic analysis of the emerging situation and the agreements signed in different years on joining various integration associations or international institutions allows us to state that the trade and political choice of the states in question was based on several factors, in particular: (a) geographical contiguity with more developed market economies; (b) a wish and need to obtain resources (financial, technological, managerial) and skills from a more developed economic entity. In cases where such an opportunity was not available, states were forced to adhere to a multi-vector foreign economic and foreign policy concept. As a result, the choice based on developed market principles and comparative competitive advantages, including geographic advantages, created conditions incompatible with new regional integration and contributed to a gradual disintegration within the previously created formats. Another important factor of regional disintegration was the desire of all independent states, including the Russian Federation, to become a part of the world economic system on common rules of functioning of international institutions, de facto responsible for the international division of labor and the global development of social and production relations. In theory, the obtained results mean that the economic integration in the post-Soviet space on the general principles of market economy functioning in the paradigm of the catch-up development model had no prospects, so it was mostly based on the socio-cultural and political principles, which were rapidly transformed due to the change of generations, as well as taking into account the development of world economy and technology. In practice, it means that in order to overcome the challenges that face the economy of Russia and institutionally associated EAEU member states, given their conceptual heterogeneity, approaches to overcoming the consequences of crisis phenomena should be conceptual rather than reactive and situational, and should be based on high-tech solutions.