Russian Challenges. Between Freedom and Energy

This book analyses the influence that oil and gas have on various sides of Russia's contemporary internal and foreign policy. On the one hand, the factor oil and gas enabled the ruling elite to strengthen the state institutions and to stabilize Russia's political and social system after decades of instability. Relying on the new economic opportunities contributed to the growth of revenues of the mass sections of population, and owing to the increased export of natural fuel resources Russia significantly strengthened its influence on international politics. But on the other hand, authoritarian tendencies increased in politics. The contributions of this book inquire into the gradually declining role of independent actors in relation to the government, and the increasing authority of the elites in power who continue to represent their corporate interests as being national ones.

Contents: - Galina Michaleva/Andrey Ryabov: Editorial - Grigory Yavlinsky: Anticipating the Crisis: Russian Economic Prospects - Andrey Ryabov: Russian Reforms: The Path of Modernization or Optimization of the Existing System - Vladimir Milov: The Role of Oil & Gas in the Russian Economy - Nina Poussenkova: In Search of «Oildorado» ... East Siberia and the Far East: Russia's Petroleum Frontier - Fyodor Lukyanov: Russia-EU Relations: The Impact of the Energy Boom - Alexej Yablokov: The De-Ecologization of Russia: Causes and Effects - Natalia Zubarevich: Regional Development and Big Business in Russia's Regions - Dmitrij Furman: 2008. New Alternatives in Russian History - Maria Gordeyeva: The Choice of Russia: The Lure and the Misery of Political Stability - Aleksej Zudin: Regime and Rotation: What's Next? - Galina Michaleva: Liberal Opposition Under Authoritarianism - Galina Michaleva/Andrey Ryabov: Afterword.