The Role of Transport Communications in Ensuring Political and Economic Security: the Unlearned Lessons of History

Abstract

The article focuses on historical experience and the importance of transport communications in controlling the economic space and ensuring security of the state. The historical-and-geopolitical approach was used as the methodological framework of the present research. The purpose of the text is to illustrate with milestone historical examples the role of transport communications in binding the Russian space as well as in securing its mobility. The conducted analysis resulted in several meaningful conclusions. The stretched-out communications and low population density undermine the competitive opportunities of the Russian state. The modern strategy of railway development should be aimed at construction of high-speed rail networks, which would enable economic development and promote innovative technologies. The significance of water communications is attributed to their low cost and the world biggest length of rivers and maritime boundaries. The growth of small aircraft fleet, which practically ceased to exist in the post-Soviet period, should become the strategic priority in air communications development. Small aircraft is able to ensure the labor force mobility and provide the access to social infrastructure in sparcely populated areas of European Russia, Siberia and the Far East. The article emphasizes the sharp decline in rate of highways construction, particularly the ones of regional level. The main reasons for slow progress in construction of transport communications in the modern time are lack of political will as well as absence of sound strategy for their development. Based on comparative analysis and historical experience, the article stresses the role and importance of strategic planning and government investment for development of transport communication networks.