The Tipsy Bear
If there’s one animal that seems to get its head perpetually caught in the honey jar, it’s the drunken Polar bear looming about in Europe and Asia. Russia is a resource-wealthy nation with a well-educated constituency, but one that has been consistently stuck in top to bottom societies, from the Czar to the Communist regime to today’s autocracy-in-democracy clothing. Though the early 1990’s provided hope that the former Soviet nation would evolve into a stable and just society, Russia has regressed while watching it’s neighbors develop out of tyranny into democracy.
The most interesting recent development has been with former Soviet bloc countries as Russia attempts to hold onto its spheres of influence. It appears that the powerful in Russia enjoyed reciprocal relationships with the powerful in the post-Soviet nations, but as the trajectory of post-Communist nations turns towards legitimate democracy (specifically ex-Warsaw Pact nations as Romania and Soviet nations Ukraine and Georgia), Russia regressed to outrageous demands that looked to either starve or polarize their former colleagues. Oil continues to be Russia’s main weapon with elevated gas prices and an under-supplied world market, but its inability to compromise or produce an image of at best neutral, if at least not-corrupt, intentions have diminished it internationally. Eloquently stated in the Salon article, despite reduced capabilities, Russia continues to brandish regional ambitions like “phantom limbs” and pursue policies as if it were still a global leader.
But the counter-balance to Russia’s aggressive behavior has been its neighbors instead of the United States or the European Union. In April of 2005, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova joined forces in a new “Union of Democratic States”. These countries have received monetary and diplomatic support from the United States, and it has become clear to some in the global sphere that Russia needs to be isolated. This alliance has succeeded geographically, but Russia has found other avenues to remain diplomatically relevant, such as Iran and North Korea, where nuclear proliferation is the fundamental issue.
Once upon a time Russia was seen as leading the charge towards market economies and representative government in post-Soviet Europe and Asia. But as Putin becomes increasingly reactionary towards democracy in his own country and in others’, Russia’s foreign policy has suffered a parallel impact. Relying on what are now key issues — energy and nuclear concerns — Russia has held onto some of its power internationally and regionally. But as these issues become resolved, the once powerful nation will find itself trapped in an empty jar of honey.
Originally posted at Ablogistan.com by Alec.
[…] In third world countries, the production of black gold often hinders successful economic and political growth. For these nations domestically, the nature of the wealth that oil typically creates is concentrated in a few hands that often ascend to political power because of their access to resources. In nations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, this means a stratified society that is secured by security apparatuses, oppression, and consolidated power. In more developed nations like Russia, it means high-level corruption and the use of oil as a political tool against regional rivals. […]
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