Opportunities For Russia Research Articles

Drivers of Russian Industrial Growth in the Face of New Reality

The opportunities for Russia’s economic growth substantiate the relevance of the research in the current conditions. The authors analyze the scientific literature and summarize the approaches to the “locomotives” or “drivers” of growth. In line with the reviewed studies, the authors use the sectoral approach. This considers the important investments presented in different approaches. The purpose of the paper is to identify the sectors of the Russian manufacturing industry that could, with certain government support, act as locomotives of economic growth in the medium and long term. The authors considered the locomotive industries in relation to two interrelated tasks of the investment model of growth. The study uses methods and tools of economic, logical, cause-and-effect analysis, content analysis, as well as forecasting and statistical assessments. The work has identified two groups of engine industries, using forecast-statistical estimates reflecting the impact of external sanctions on the Russian economy. The practical significance of the study is to define the growth driver industries for the further design of measures for the strategic development of these industries.

Pakistan and Russia’s Convergence of Interests in the Emerging Geopolitical Environment

The changing global environment has become an opportunity for Russia and Pakistan to redefine their relationship. Both countries believe in strong multilateralism as the way to go in foreign relations. They are quite conscious of peace and stability in the Eurasian region. Given the mutual benefits of fostering ties, Moscow and Islamabad are trying to move forward in three key broad areas where the convergence of interests is evident. They are emerging geopolitical and security milieus, geo-economic outlook and regional connectivity. Pakistan-Russia relations are set to exploit these realms and take them on an upward trajectory in years to come. In this paper, qualitative data has been dealt with analytically to identify how both countries could benefit from the changing strategic landscape to achieve these objectives. It pertains to the evolving geopolitical environment, inter-regional economic prospects, and emerging threats to regional stability (especially Afghanistan), which hold much in store for both in opting for a mutual course of action on regional and international fronts. The study explicitly examines the factors that may shape the commonality of interests in their foreign policy options.

The Role of Reducing Global Methane Emissions in Achieving Carbon Neutrality: Russia's Interests

The article analyzes the policy of reducing methane emissions as one of the directions of joint efforts of countries to curb the pace of climate change. Climate changes caused by the accumulation of methane in the atmosphere directly affect the socio-economic and political processes taking place in various regions of the world: food security, water supply, the development of military-political conflicts, the growth of international migration flows, etc. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the need and identify potential opportunities for Russia to reduce methane (CH4) emissions in the oil and gas sector. A brief description of the results of the Global Climate Summit SOR26, breakthrough solutions and problems in the field of reducing methane emissions is given. Based on the IEA's interactive database, the indicators of CH4 emissions in the oil and gas sector of the largest countries and the main categories of emissions in the oil and gas sector of Russia are described. Legislative initiatives to reduce methane emissions in the EU and Russia are considered. The article concludes that it is expedient for the Russian Federation to participate in international in international cooperation to achieve global goals in this area, in particular from the point of view of increasing the commercial attractiveness of Russian oil and gas projects and the development of green financing.

Russian Innovation in the Era of Patent Globalization

The launch of the Russian Sputnik vaccine in 2020 echoed the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite in 1957 and reminded the world once again that Russia is a sophisticated technological power. Most inventions in the Soviet Union were managed by the system of inventor’s certificates which ensured open flows of knowledge among the scientific networks behind Russia’s industrial development. Inventions in today’s Russia are managed by the globalized institution of patents which can create high barriers to entry in innovation markets. This article argues that the globalized institution of patents has been compromised in Russia because the barriers to entry that patents create are not justified in the absence of well-functioning markets. The danger of the institutional mismatch is lost opportunities for Russia to grow knowledge and to diversify its economy. Western property rights in innovation in the hands of crony capitalists can magnify the social harms of the patent system leading to high concentration of ownership of knowledge.

Optimization of the system of personal property insurance protection: China’s experience and opportunities for Russia

China’s modern insurance market is the largest in the world in terms of several key indicators: both the number of contracts concluded and the volume of premiums collected. At the same time, insurance products related to property insurance are the second most popular among the population. However, the development curve of the insurance market in China is significantly different from the trajectories of changes in the insurance markets in Europe or the United States. This article is a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of insurance relations in the Chinese market under the influence of various factors, such as changes in the macroeconomic environment, the introduction of innovative technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the transition from a planned economic system to a market one, as well as after China’s joining the WTO, external economic factors changed the development trends of China’s insurance industry. Based on the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of China for 2007–2020 and the Wind database, the authors built an econometric model that allowed analyzing the impact of various factors on the growth of property insurance in China. Special attention is paid to the impact of modern trends associated with the active introduction of digital technologies and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on the development of the property insurance segment. The ongoing optimization of the system of insurance protection of the property of the population is primarily due to its risk management function. China’s experience in the development of insurance relations in the national market may be in demand in Russia, which belongs to countries with a developing insurance market.

Russian Priorities and Approaches to the Korean Peninsula

The paper comprehensively examines Russia's foreign policy towards the Korean Peninsula. Its scientific relevance is defined by the unsettled issues on the Korean Peninsula, including the nuclear one, and the peninsula’s geographical proximity to the Russian Far East, the development of which is a priority task for Russia in the 21st century. The aim of the study is to analyze Russian approaches to the Korean settlement. The methodology includes the systemic and geopolitical approaches. Russia is interested in the peaceful situation on the Korean Peninsula, its denuclearization and the development of multilateral economic cooperation there. In principle, Russia would not object to the unification of Korea, provided that the process of unification would occur peacefully in conditions of social stability and it would not cause serious conflicts between the regional powers. However, it is not ready to take any active steps to achieve unification of Korea. The reason is Russia’s unwillingness to exacerbate the existing tensions, irritate friendly China, and, what is especially important in the context of the growing confrontation with the United States, eliminate the DPRK as a potential partner in this confrontation. Russia prioritizes the six-party talks format for a comprehensive settlement of the Korean crisis in the context of reformatting the security architecture in Northeast Asia. It is unlikely that the Russian proposals will be implemented in the medium and long term since, firstly, the DPRK prefers to discuss its nuclear program directly with the United States. Secondly, the United States is seeking to strengthen the existing security structure in the region, based on bilateral alliances. The current acute confrontation between Russia and the United States as well as between the United States and China makes it practically unrealistic to create a united front to achieve denuclearization of the DPRK. The authors believe that resolving the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula without direct Russian participation would be more profitable for Russia than the status quo with the DPRK continuing to build up its nuclear missile potential and no opportunities for Russia to implement trilateral economic projects on the Korean peninsula.

Eurasianism and Foreign Policy of Russia

In order to determine the possibilities of wider application of the ideas of Eurasianism in the foreign policy of Russia, including the EAEU, but not limited to it, an analysis of various methods and approaches used for integration processes is carried out. At the same time, the current geopolitical situation and the factors of multi-vector approach in international relations are taken into account. It is also proposed to take in attention the role of identity in a broad sense as a political attraction. At the same time, various problems at the organizational, social, humanitarian and economic levels are also considered. The broad security factors that also play a role in the Eurasian integration are also taken into account. The relevance of this study is due not only to the implementation of strategic directions within the EAEU, but also to the general course towards multipolarity that Russia is pursuing. In addition, the crisis of liberal democracy in the West provides an additional opportunity for Russia to implement its own ideas and doctrines at the international level. The author believes that Eurasianism, including its classical version, can become one of the imperatives of Russia’s foreign policy.

Some challenges and opportunities for Russia and regions in terms of the global decarbonization trend

This article discusses a possible scenario of energy transition in Russia, taking into account the economic structure, presence of huge oil and gas infrastructure and unique natural resources. All this allows to consider global trends of energy and economic decarbonization not only as a challenge, but also as a new opportunity for the country. Considering developed oil and gas production, transportation, refining and petrochemical infrastructure, as well as the vast territory, forest, water and soil resources, our country has unique opportunities for carbon sequestration using both biological systems and the existing oil and gas infrastructure. It is proposed to use the existing oil and gas production facilities for hydrogen generation in the processes of hydrocarbon catalytic transformation inside the reservoir. It is suggested to create and use large-scale technologies for CO2 sequestration using existing oil and gas production infrastructure. Considering high potential of the Russian Federation for carbon sequestration by biological systems, a network of Russian carbon testing areas is being developed, including one at Kazan Federal University (KFU), – the “Carbon-Povolzhye” testing area. The creation of carbon farms based on the applications at such testing areas could become a high-demand high-tech business. A detailed description of the KFU carbon testing area and its planned objectives are given.

The concept of “Greater Eurasia”: The Russian “turn to the East” and its consequences for the European Union from the geopolitical angle of analysis

This article examines the Russian project of Greater Eurasia, the reasons for launching such an initiative, and its possible influence on the current regional and global trends in the field of geopolitics, security policy, and relations between Russia and the European Union. The article argues that Greater Eurasia, as a developing geo-economic and geostrategic community, opens up opportunities for Russia and the European project to reset their relationship by creating new zones of mutual development.

The macroregional integration, new level of global cross-country exploitation, and opportunities for Russia

Subject. The article describes the current exhaustion of the imperial power ecumene of the human population and the transition to the following supraconstructive phase of the national amalgamation, i.e. the establishment of macroregional integration units (macros). The establishment of macros is assumed to drive the world into a new geopolitical reality with a new hierarchy of the global cross-country exploitation. Objectives. The study determines strategic and tactic goals of the sub-American macros and the entire Pan-American geopolitical world in the Pan-American project of exploiting hegemony. Methods. The study draws upon the author's historical and remembered representation of the human life order. According to this concept, the present and the future of the human life get adjusted (get reproduced and renewed) by human memory reflecting on the overall past life, whether conscious and unconscious. Results. I pointed out the archetype of the global continuity of nature and people. The existence of the above archetype means that the humankind cannot become wealthy by progressively exploiting the nature. This explains the existence and inescapability of the cross-community exploitation archetype, which does not depend on the archetype of cross-rank and cross-class intracommunity exploitation. The article demonstrates the historical development of the hierarchy (subordination) of amalgamation levels of the global cross-community exploitation. I describe the current exhaustion of the imperial power ecumene and the start of the transition to the establishment of macroregional integration units (macros). The sub-American and European macros were spotlighted. The article unveils the Pan-American project of exploiting hegemony implying that the Pan-American geopolitical world has to strategically deter the European Union and China as its macroregional geopolitical rivals. Conclusions and Relevance. Independent Russia historically prevents the Pan-American world from putting the deterring pressure. Therefore, the Pan-American world needs to take undermining efforts against Russia in order to take over the total control over its natural resources and supranatural infrastructure as soon as possible. Russia is stated to be able to stand against the threat, only if it resorts to the amalgamation specialization and combination as part of its own closest integration and far cooperation projects.

RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHINESE “ONE BELT, ONE ROAD” PROJECT: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS

The "One Belt, One Road" project is beneficial to the Chinese side and will be implemented regardless of the opinion and position of Russia. Within the framework of the initiative, the economic and political interests of the two countries intersect. The article analyzes the ratio of risks and opportunities for Russia's participation in the “Belt and Road”. The characteristics of the project itself and the principles on which it will be built are given. Participation in the project promises economic benefits for Russia, and can also become an opportunity to solve long-standing foreign policy problems. At the same time, the Chinese initiative may become a threat to the advancement of Russia's interests in Central Asia and create competition with China for sales markets in Eastern Europe. China, as the creator of the initiative, is the leader of a project involving more than 150 countries and international organizations. This, in turn, contains the danger of Chinese expansion on the continent. The geopolitical aspect will also become a risk. Russia could find itself caught in a triangle between China, the European Union and the United States, with no room for maneuver.

The European green deal: risks and opportunities for Russia

In December 2019 the European Union presented an ambitious plan called the Green Deal which is aimed at combating climate change. In the EU 2021–2027 budget approved in 2020 about 25 % of the expenditures are allocated for climate projects. Legal framework of the project was established in summer 2021. Its elements can impact seriously the structure and dynamics of the EU's relations with its leading trading partners, including the Russian Federation. The article analyzes the impact the European Green Agenda has on Russia, which has its own approaches to combating climate change. They form an integral part of national development priorities system. Having analyzed the relevant strategic documents, the authors compare the directions of environmental policies of the Russian Federation and the EU. Attention is paid to the goals and objectives, as well as to the proposed tools for reducing and absorbing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The paper also provides a detailed description of the "Fit for 55" package of measures and determines its significance for Russia. The study examines a wide range of economic and political risks for Russia in the mid and long terms. In addition, the consequences of the introduction of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation are highlighted. Furthermore, the article presents possible dynamics of a competition in the international energy market amid the implementation of the "Green Deal" and the transition to a low-carbon economy. As a result of the research, possible economic and political measures in internal and external dimensions aimed at mitigating risks are suggested. Moreover, possible ways to improve the effectiveness of combating climate change and the reduction of harmful emissions are put forward. In addition, the research identifies prospects for cooperation in ecology between Russia and the EU.

Opportunities for using natural fresh water in Russia for the export potential development

Subject. Water resources are getting more and more scarce worldwide, and the situation aggravates over time. In such circumstances, Russia should get use of its competitive advantages and increase exports of fresh water and water-intensive products. Objectives. I analyze opportunities for using natural fresh water of Russia to unfold the export potential. Methods. The study relies upon databases of the Russian governmental agencies, the UN, and Asian partnership countries. The study is based on the systems approach and methods of logic and comparative analysis, qualitative and quantitative analysis of statistical data. Results. The article illustrates cases of water supply via canals and water pipelines from Russia to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. I display what unparalleled opportunities Russia has, since it possesses land and water resources, which would help rapidly increment water-intensive agricultural and other production. I make suggestions on key strands to follow and efforts to activate the use of available fresh water for the export potential development. Conclusions and Relevance. The proposed rearrangement of some Russian river flows to neighboring countries should be thoroughly elaborated and studied in terms of environmental, socio-economic, political consequences. The rapid economic growth of neighboring Asian countries opens new opportunities for Russia to seize its competitive advantages. Hence, the government should actively support sectors that would meet the highest demand for their products in the coming decades. The competition is expected to intensify across all segments of bottled potable water market. Russia should get more involved into the sale of water not only on the Kamchatka peninsula, but only in other regions of Siberia and the Far East.

Soft Power: Challenges and Opportunities for Russia

Soft Power: Challenges and Opportunities for Russia

Hard and Soft Power Approaches to Armed Conflicts: The United States in Iraq and Russia in Syria

Armed conflicts are generally associated with the use of hard power for coercing and forcing an opponent to do something against its will in a situation where war is an extension of politics. However, there are many scholarly observations about the important role of soft power in armed conflicts, the interaction between hard and soft power, and the effects on one another within the framework of an armed conflict. This paper explores two specific armed conflicts, the 2003 U.S.-led military intervention in Iraq and the 2015 Russian intervention in Syria. Various aspects of hard and soft power approaches are discussed, and the outcome of military operations for the national soft power potential is analyzed. The results of the study show that whereas the Iraq War came as a disaster for the U.S., the military operation in Syria—despite dire predictions—created strengths and opportunities for Russia in international relations.

Digitalization as an Anthropological Challenge: Methodological Aspect

The author of the article examines the methodological problems associated with the process of transition to a new, digital medium of information and the introduction of new, digital technologies into the daily life of society and a person taking place on a global scale. In this regard, the problem of identifying both positive aspects (opportunities, advantages) and negative aspects (risks, threats) that these technological innovations bring with them acquire a certain urgency. In the implementation of innovation policy to address this issue, the methodological principle of “challenge—response” is used, which is of an interdisciplinary complex nature. The article proposes a formulation of this principle. The history of its origin, formation and development during the 19th–20th centuries is traced on the example of natural and humanitarian sciences, such as biology, anthropology, history, psychology. Starting from the second half of the 20th century, this principle begins to be applied to the analysis of the future, which, in connection with a number of historical events, is beginning to be viewed as a global challenge that threatens society and people. The activities of the Club of Rome played an important role here. In the 21st century, in order to support the growth of the world economy, which does not demonstrate high performance, new digital projects and programs are beginning to actively transform our reality — the digital economy, medicine (healthcare), education, communications, leisure, etc. They build on ideas expressed, inter alia, by Klaus Schwab at the Davos Forum in January 2017. These ideas are taken as a basis in our country as well. The expert and analytical report “Technological Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities for Russia” (2017) stands out here. This leads to the formation of a new “digital society” and “digital human”. In this regard, the need to use the “challenge—response” method in the analysis of various spheres of social life affected by the digitalization process becomes especially acute. Such studies are being carried out, but a separate article should be devoted to the consideration of this topic.

Technological rise of China: New challenges for Russia

The paper discusses the trend towards the formation of a bipolar global technological space in connection with the rapid technological development of China, which over the past 15—20 years has become a global technological leader. Moreover, in many positions in the technological race, China is already ahead of the United States and offers other countries attractive forms of cooperation in mastering the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. The features of the current stage of interaction between Russia and China in the field of high technologies are analyzed, and an assessment of the risks and opportunities for Russia’s participation in the new project “Digital Silk Road”, which is becoming an important component of the Chinese “Belt and Road Initiative”, is given.

Russian-Chinese cooperation in Central Asia in the context of ‘Belt and Road Initiative:’ Historical retrospective and economic prospects

This article examines Russo-Chinese investment cooperation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (originally the Silk Road Economic Belt). At the same time, it also studies bilateral agreements, as well as investment and mechanisms. Another focus is the impact of the BRI in Central Asian countries on Russian interests in the region. Research is based on an analysis of the history of joint Russian and Chinese initiatives for economic development to determine the feasibility of cooperation in the BRI. Meanwhile, the authors discuss the BRI’s impact on the economic and foreign policy of the two partners, as well as the risks and opportunities for Russia. The article is based on content and statistical analysis combined with a historical approach. It concludes that Russia and China are actively developing investment cooperation in the framework of the BRI, including the Silk Road Fund. The principal elements of the partnership involve the economy and processing and transporting energy resources. Its objective is to attain both regional economic stability as well as maximizing economic and political independence.

Consumer Potential of the East Asian Region: Contemporary Trends and Opportunities for Russia

The article aims at assessing consumer potential of the East Asian region in the context of diversification of economic growth sources and its transition to consumption-led economic growth model. Favorable social, demographic and economic trends, as well as demand-stimulating policies, implemented by governments and monetary authorities of the most of regional economies, entail a rapid increase in the private consumption contribution to economic growth, lead to a gradual transformation of the commodity structure of consumption, and import demand, which opens up new opportunities for exporters from the third countries, including Russia. The analysis made it possible to make a number of practical conclusions. Given consumer potential and mutual trade dynamics, China and Vietnam, to a lesser extent Malaysia, are of the greatest interest to Russia, while Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines’ potential can be implemented in medium-term perspective (5-10 years). Russian mining, agricultural and heavy engineering industries (mainly, aircraft, space and power engineering) can become the key beneficiaries of the growing consumer potential in East Asia.

Russia in Eurasia: between China and the West. Identity, Ideology and Geopolitics

The genesis of the Russian civilization is inextricably connected with the Mongol conquests of the 13th century. From that moment, Russia acquired a binary, Euro-Asian identity, which allowed it to master large spaces of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia in a different way compared to other European nations mastered the spaces of Asia and Africa, and eventually create the largest Eurasian state. All of its subsequent development took place in the constant internal struggle of two origins -the West and the East, both of them attracted Russia, influenced its identity and created opportunities for development, which Russia managed to exploit successfully. Until now, geopolitics remains a trigger for internal change and the cause of the transformation of Russian identity. Disappointed with the Eurasian project and trying to reunite with the West at the end of the 20th century, Russia decided to abandon the “Asian burden” and at the same time its own type of historical development. However, Russia did not change its identity, but rejected it. As a result, it did not fit in, but fell out of global trends.The rise of China opened up new opportunities for Russia. The strategic cooperation and interaction of the two countries has become a powerful tool in their struggle for multipolarity and global status in rivalry with the West. But at the same time, it has given Russia a new geopolitical challenge. Today, China is ready to offer the Post-Soviet Central Asia an attractive socio-economic model and a familiar and acceptable ideology. Under global geopolitical changes Russia is facing the choice of a new development strategy, which could find ways of conjunction the “Russian world” with the European Union and the Chinese “Belt and Road”.