Russian Arctic: The Logic and Paradoxes of Changes

Abstract

The paper contemplates massive transformation processes in the Russian Arctic zone, identified by the authors as the “re-development” of the Arctic, which integrate resource-intensive but necessary exploitation of the huge “Soviet legacy” and construction of the novel industrial and social facilities and infrastructure. The key role of Russian Arctic “re-development” as the most appropriate model at the country and regional levels is substantiated. The success of the Arctic development will depend to a decisive extent on the advanced revision of the basic provisions of the current state of industrial, energy, transport, demographic, etc policies. The paradoxes of the demographic situation in the Russian Arctic are considered and the directions of the organization of health care system in this macro-region are introduced taking into account: (a) specificity of the urbanized and rural areas in the Western and Eastern (beyond the Urals) parts of the Russian Arctic; (b) specific needs for medical service provided to miners and metal workers, servicemen, sailors and shift workers as well as communities of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North. Peculiarities of interaction between the state policy and that of the big corporations in the Arctic are disclosed including those concerning climatic risks mitigation. Given this perspective the public policy measures to regulate greenhouse gas emissions proposed by the Ministry of economic development of the Russian Federation are critically assessed. In conclusion, the consistency of recent changes in the development policy in the Russian Arctic that should result in organization of a special Federal ministry for the Arctic is substantiated.