5.10 GEOGRAPHIC INSIGHTS

Russia and the Post-Soviet States: Review and Self-Test

1. Environment: Economic development has taken precedence over environmental concerns in Russia and the post-Soviet states for decades, resulting in numerous environmental problems such as severe pollution of the air and water by toxic industrial waste. This region’s contribution to climate change is increasing as more people use automobiles for transportation. In parts of this region, food production systems and water resources are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

2. Globalization and Development: After the fall of the Soviet Union, economic reforms and globalization changed patterns of development in this region. Wealth disparity increased and jobs were lost as many Communist-era industries were closed or sold to the rich and well connected. The region is now largely dependent on its role as a leading global exporter of energy resources.

3. Power and Politics: This region has a long history of authoritarianism. While there is some pressure to expand political freedoms, there are still few opportunities for the public to influence the political process. Elected representative bodies often act as rubber stamps for very strong presidents and exercise only limited influence on policy making.

4. Urbanization: A few large cities in Russia and Central Asia are growing fast, fueled by the expansion of energy exports. Elsewhere, many cities are suffering from a lack of investment and maintenance as their economies struggle in the post-Soviet era.

5. Population and Gender: Populations are shrinking in many parts of the region due largely to lower birth rates and declines in life expectancy. These changes relate to consistently high levels of participation by women in the workforce and to the economic decline in the 1990s that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. Men and women have been affected differently in the post-Soviet era, with men much more likely to suffer from alcoholism and related health problems.