Back to search

NORRUSS-Nordområdene og Russland

Federal Russian Politics: Modernizing Northern Economies

Awarded: NOK 4.4 mill.

-

FEDRUP studies the theoretical scope and practical accomplishments of federal Russian authorities in modernizing important northern industries such as shipbuilding and offshore technology (including developments in the Northern Fleet), mining and metallur gy, as well as fisheries. It also studies federal policies for the North more widely and includes a macroeconomic analysis of the relationship between Moscow and the north-western federal subjects. While the study's main emphasis is on Murmansk and Arkhan gelsk Oblasts, it is not limited to these federal subjects. The point of departure is that the Soviet legacy implies structural features that leave Russian industry in need of change. "Modernization" has become something of a catchphrase in Russian politi cs under President Medvedev, but we approach the term analytically, investigating what it means in Russian political discourse and practice. In the four sub-studies - on federal policies for the North in general and in the three chosen sectors - we combin e political science, historical, economic, legal and geographical competence. We ask how the sector has traditionally been governed and what traces of the Soviet heritage are still visible. What is the legal point of departure, and how is current policy r eflected in official documents and statements by decision makers? To what extent can policy be characterized as top-down, i.e. ruling by decree or by introducing regulatory and other incentives to induce enterprises to behave as desired by federal authori ties? Further, we look at economic realities in the North-West. To what extent are federal policies implemented? Are the objectives established by federal authorities achieved? Is federal political action sufficient to change economic realities on the gro und? Is there any evidence that Soviet-style "rule by decree" has been accompanied by political and economic liberalization aimed at spurring change from the bottom up?

Funding scheme:

NORRUSS-Nordområdene og Russland