9.2.5

Emerging Powers - Russia

Test yourself

Russia - Economic, Military and Political Characteristics

Russia has strengths and weaknesses that might inhibit or advance its economic and geopolitical role in the future.

Illustrative background for Economic characteristicsIllustrative background for Economic characteristics ?? "content

Economic characteristics

  • Russia is the 9th largest economy in the world.
  • However, its economy is very dependent on oil and gas exports. This makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations in those commodities.
  • The World Bank has predicted that Russia’s economy will grow slowly at 1.5%-1.8% between 2018-2020 but makes it clear that this is dependent on changing oil prices.
Illustrative background for Political characteristicsIllustrative background for Political characteristics ?? "content

Political characteristics

  • In recent years, Russia’s global influence has once again increased (following a decline after the collapse of the USSR).
  • However, its strategy to gain this global influence has sometimes been to step into global situations where the West will not. This has made some of its political actions in recent years controversial.
    • It played a major role in Syria between 2012-2017.
  • In 2013, Russia became the world’s largest arms exporter- selling the most weapons to other countries.
    • Recently, it has sold arms to Nigeria to combat Boko Haram- an example of it trying to expand its global influence.
Illustrative background for Politics in RussiaIllustrative background for Politics in Russia ?? "content

Politics in Russia

  • Politically, Russia is a democracy.
  • However, having won the last election, Vladimir Putin will have been in power for nearly 25 years.
  • Some people report that the election was not a competitive one. Many journalists in Russia have been killed in recent years and political opponents to Putin also seem to be vulnerable to persecution.
Illustrative background for Military characteristicsIllustrative background for Military characteristics ?? "content

Military characteristics

  • Military spending has increased but Russia has far less military strength than China or the USA. However, Russia does have nuclear weapons.
  • It has half the number of active personnel of China.
  • It does have more aircraft and more tanks than China but many of these are ageing and relicts of the USSR.
  • Like China, it has 1 aircraft carrier.

Russia - Cultural, Demographic and Environmental

Russia has strengths and weaknesses that might inhibit or advance its economic and geopolitical role in the future.

Illustrative background for Cultural characteristicsIllustrative background for Cultural characteristics ?? "content

Cultural characteristics

  • Russia has a history of global influence, largely from its days as the USSR.
  • This means that Russian is still spoken beyond the borders of Russia itself, but only in the region of the old USSR.
  • Russia has a large cultural tourist industry with people visiting the country however it has few cultural exports. Western culture dominates internationally.
  • In 2018, it hosted the Football World Cup. There were concerted efforts to portray the areas visited by tourists in a positive light.
Illustrative background for Demographic characteristicsIllustrative background for Demographic characteristics ?? "content

Demographic characteristics

  • Russia’s population is declining. Between 1991 and 2015 it declined for 21 of these 25 years.
    • Its fertility rate is now 1.75.
  • In 2017 it was announced that the government would spend $8.6billion over 3 years on measures to increase the birth rate. Putin has offered mortgage subsidies and payments to new and growing families.
Illustrative background for Environmental characteristicsIllustrative background for Environmental characteristics ?? "content

Environmental characteristics

  • Like Brazil, Russia faces deforestation as a large issue. The Taiga or Boreal forest in the North of the country is deforested for pulp and paper production.
  • This logging increases CO2 emissions and reduces biodiversity.
  • Owing to Russia’s historic nuclear weapons program and nuclear energy sector, nuclear contamination of the countryside is another major environmental concern for the country.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson