Russia Today Section 3

Finding a New Identity Gorbachev’s policies = social & political change Fall of communism left Russia without cultural identity After communism Russia has faced: Depression Alcoholism Violence Crime Increase in corruption from Soviet Era

Restoring Confidence: Vladimir Putin Strong leadership Increase government control Putin strengthened the military Crushed rebellions in Chechnya Improvements made to daily life Reduced poverty New middle class Doubled disposable income Growth in energy industry Russia lead producer of oil and gas

Communism v. Democratic Capitalism People & elected representatives make decisions Market economy – private consumers & producers make most economic decisions & own most property Communist party makes all decisions Command economy – govt. makes most economic decisions and owns most property Political leadership values obedience, discipline, and economic security

Social and Economic Woes Russia’s birth rates and life expectancy are low Males – lowest in industrialized world Alcoholism high Infectious disease rates high HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis Lung disease Social/economic issues cause an increase in migration Skilled workers seek better lives in North America, Israel, and Western Europe

Putin Draws Criticism Putin has mixed results Popular among Russians Russian Constitution allows freedom of speech and press Government exercises control over media – owns many radio and television statements Russia still censors (keeps things from being reported) Putin criticized for putting energy industry under government control Putin argues Russian govt. needs energy industry to be a superpower (powerful nation)

Human Rights and the Law Ethnic and religious tensions – Muslims and others from the Caucasus region Suspicious deaths of journalists who have criticized the government Corruption in business and politics is common

A World Partner Russia is one of the World’s leading powers Largest stockpile of nuclear weapons Top energy producer Member of the G-8 (group of 8 industrialized nations) Share anti-terror initiatives Climate change Energy Economic development Russia has taken part in talks with North Korea to give up nuclear weapons Opposed efforts of Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO Supported independence movements in areas of Georgia Bombed and invaded Damaged relations with the U.S. and other Western nations.

A Super Power Again Russia is second largest oil-exporting nation in the world World’s largest exporter of natural gas Russia has signed exclusive agreements to supply gas to Germany and others to gain support of policies Some criticize Russia’s use of energy to increase power

Cooperation and Conflict Russia and the EU Russia controls much of the energy supply for the EU Russia has cooperated with the EU on energy and climate change Russia is a trading partner with Iran and has loaned money to them to build nuclear reactors U.S. opposes the nuclear reactors Relations between Russia and U.S. are calm but cool Russia and China w/other Central Asian countries formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2001 A loose alliance Joint military practices worry Western nations

The Future of Russia Strong leadership has reshaped politics and economy of Russia Russia is an important global power Natural resources Superpower