The current situations that's facing Russia - Research Paper Example

The current situations that’s facing Russia Introduction In the 12th century, it was founded as the Princedom of Muscovy that emerged from the Mongol domination (13th to 15th centuries) and subsequently conquered and absorbed its neighboring principalities. It is located in the northern Asia, circumscribing the Arctic Ocean (broadening from Europe towards the North Pacific Ocean). Russia is the most powerful and the greatest of all the states that emerged from the previous Soviet Union. As the Soviet empire survived for above 70 years, the Russians maintained enormous power both in the global sphere and inside the U.S.S.R. nearly from their development as a separate nation, the Russians have broadened their country’s territories to include a broad diversity of non-Russian individuals. As the nature of topic involves the description of current scenario of the Russian federation, so the overview will be provided discussing all the social, political and environmental factors. The Russian Federation is divided into 46 provinces, 4 autonomous okrugs, 21 republics, 9 krays, 2 federal cities, and 1 autonomous oblast. Since 7th May 2012, President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN serves as the head of the state, while the government is administered by Dmitriy Anatolyevich Medvedev. The recent political developments in the country include its relations with the United States. The U.S. Congress has already ascertained to ordain new penalties to be imposed on Russian businesses and officials as a quid-pro-quo for annulling a Cold War-era prohibition on conventional trading associations with Moscow. Few of the people in the Obama administration have proposed the discouraging alternative of developing a “democracy fund” to channelize U.S. money to the pressure groups that pose a threat to the Russian administration. Russia has been labeled by Mitt Romney as a geopolitical foe, so he has offered to disassemble the reset upon being elected. It raises a concern that regardless who wins in the U.S elections, the Russian-U.S. relations are leading towards a more challenging posture (Rojansky & Gvosdev). Mrs. Clinton while attending the yearly Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Vladivostokhere, on behalf of President Obama welcomed Russian access to the World Trade Organization in August. Moreover it was recommended that the American government should now normalize its trade relations so that the U.S owned businesses can harvest the benefits received from the Russia’s membership that include lower tariffs for United States products. The attempt to concede Russia conventional trade status, still, has turned embroiled in legislation that would penalize Russian officials charged of perverting human rights, refusing them visas and suspending their assets. That has aroused doubts that any arrangement on annulling the Jackson-Vanik provisions can be accomplished before the United States presidential elections (Myers, and Herszenhorn). Russia has recently demanded the U.S to cease its support to groups favoring the institution of democracy within the country (Herszenhorn and Barry). Russia has experienced significant alters since the break down of the Soviet Union, proceeding from a centrally planned, globally-isolated economy to a more global and market-based economy. Russian industry is principally fragmented between worldwide competitive commodity producers. In 2011, it became leading oil producer of the world, passing by Saudi Arabia. It is the world second largest natural gas producer and bears the world's largest reserves of natural gas, the second-largest of coal, and the eighth-largest reserves of crude oil. It is the 3rd largest exporter of primary aluminum and steel. The Russian economy is also facing various challenges. As reported by the World Bank, Russia is reverberating from the worldwide recession more tardily than other developing nations in spite of high oil prices. Various factors that are contributing to the weakening of the Russian economy include unproductive workers, aging population and corporate executives who are unwilling to move ahead towards the long term investment, frightening of risk typically but with particular worries about Russia. Low capital investment was reported to be one of those concerns, as Russia is investing on airplanes, trucks, factory equipment at a level distinctive of rather more developed nations like Germany. Raised oil prices have misted these economic exposures. The economic growth of Russia was estimated to decline from last year’s 4.3% to 3.5% this year. The GDP of Russia in 2011 was recorded to be 20 percent less than the World Bank’s estimate. Russia’s public monetary resources still seem robust compared with poorly European neighbors. The public-sector debt of Russia is only 10% of its GDP as compared to more than 100% for lots European states. The Russian work force is also reported as one of the concerning factors for its economy as it is far less productive than its counterparts within the wealthy countries included in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. As they produce 43% of their counterparts in an hour (Kramer). The natural hazards that pose an impediment in its development include volcanic activity within the Kuril Islands; earthquakes and volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; summer/ autumn fires in the forest that spread throughout Siberia and spring floods. The environmental issues faced by Russia include the air pollution resulting from heavy industry, discharges of coal-fueled electric plants, and the transportation system in major cities. Other issues include the municipal, industrial and agricultural contamination of inland seacoasts and waterways, deforestation and soil erosion. Among the international disputes faced by Russia include the illegal import from Afghanistan, of poppy derivatives, through Central Asian countries. It resolved its dispute over the islands of Ussuri and Amur confluence and within the Argun River with China in compliance with the 2004 Agreement. It has a similar dispute with Japan over the islands of Shikotan, Etorofu, Habomai and Kunashiri considered as the "Northern Territories"in Japan and as "Southern Kurils," in Russia. It’s military support and afterwards recognizing South Ossentia and Abkhazia independence in 2008 remains a source of souring its relations with Georgia. It has signed Caspian seabed delimitation treaties with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on the basis of equidistance, while Iran continues its insistence on a one-fifth slice of the sea (Russia). Conclusion Being one of the largest nations of the world, Russia role in the world economy and politics cannot be ignored. It is related in various ways with the nations throughout the world either being an exporter or a source of disturbance by implementing anti-human policies or by being a major cause of environmental degradation or the victim of global warming. Hence throughout history its role cannot be eliminated in the world’s politics and economics. Works Cited “Russia.” The World Factbook. CIA, 11 Sept 2012. Web. Sept 23. 2012. Herszenhorn, David M. and Barry, Ellen. “Russia Demands U.S. End Support of Democracy Groups.” The New York Times, 18 Sept 2012. Web. Sept 23. 2012. Kramer, Andrew E. “Russian Economy Slow to Recover, World Bank Says.” The New York Times, 27 Mar 2012. Web. Sept 23. 2012. Myers, Steven Lee and Herszenhorn, David M. “Clinton Tells Russia That Sanctions Will Soon End.” The New York Times, 8 Sept 2012. Web. Sept 23. 2012. Rojansky, Mathew A. & Gvosdev, Nikolas. “The U.S. Should Still Talk to Russia.” The New York Times, 31 Aug 2012. Web. Sept 23. 2012. Read More