Experts of Moscow and Berlin discuss development of Russia
The International Discussion Club "Valdai" has presented the results of polling entitled "Index of Russian Development" ("Valdai Index") for 2011. The Valdai Index is a sum-up of opinions of the world's leading experts, specialists on Russia in the development of the state in the political, economic, social-humanitarian and international spheres. The first polls among experts started in 2010. The "Index" underwent adjustments, in particular it encountered an expansion and elaboration of questions on Russian development that required a more detailed approach. Over 200 participants were involved in the conference of the Valdai Club.
Results of the polls carried out in August-September 2011 show that there have been no sudden leaps in development of scientific, social and cultural spheres of Russia. This year experts confirmed a lack of leaps in the political sphere as well, although the polls were held before the statements of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the reshuffle of their tandem. Experts say the Russian political field was "frozen" from September 2010 to September 2011.
Experts see positive developments in the macroeconomy and raw materials industry. The results were achieved with low modernization activities and a positive investment climate. Despite preservation and improvement of economic conditions, experts noted a decline in living standards and an increase in the crime level. Some people feel less secure, experts note. They underlined a major increase of high-skilled staff leaving Russia and moving abroad. Russia's management of the crisis at home strengthened its positions abroad.
Sergey Karaganov, Dean of the Faculty for World Policy and Economics of the National Research University of the High School for Economics, Chairman of the Presidium of the Russian Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, noted that experts share the view that the real socio-economic situation in Russia is negative, while the "political situation is at a standstill at best." He underlined that his position in evaluating the development of Russia differs greatly from the views of experts of the Valdai Index. Karaganov notes that the experts pointed to a degradation of higher education. Karaganov emphasized that he agrees with experts on the point that Russian foreign policy is a lot more successful than its domestic policy.
Vladislav Inozemtsev, Director of the Center for Studies of the Post-Industrial Society, underlined the significance of the Valdai Index, because it gives an image of Russian development from year to year. He pointed out that experts have similar views to the Russians themselves. Inozemtsev noted economic stability, despite the crisis, an emphasis on raw materials in the economy and unjustified fund spending at times. He believes that the internal policy after the elections would see no changes to the background of sustainable economic growth and rising prices for raw materials on global markets. Inozemtsev supposes that the political stagnation of Russia comes from growing conjuncture. "The ruling elite s failng to administer the state as a complex structure," he underlines.
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