Russia Country Analysis

Since 1991, Russia has struggled in its attempt to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace its former Communist period. The Russian Federation has over 150 million people and is the largest country in the world in terms of area but is unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world. Despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates for agriculture.

Russians believe that it may be morally wrong to get ahead, particularly at the expense of others. Communal spirit and togetherness distinguishes Russians from Westerners. The affinity for the group can be seen in everyday life, in group dating, and physical contact with strangers. Pushing and shoving in crowds bring no hard feelings. In restaurants Russians will not hesitate to join a table with strangers rather than dine alone. Men kiss men and show affection, women hold hands while strolling. Recreation is often arranged in groups, often with colleagues they work with. They prefer organized sports with set teams. Russians feel free to tell you if you or your child is not dressed appropriately. In general, in a collective society, everybody's business is also everyone else's.

Belief in communism has eroded, but the egalitarian ethic still survives. Egalitarianism is a social philosophy that advocates the removal of inequities among people and a more equal distribution of benefits. For much of Russia's history, peasants numbered close to 90 percent of the population. By 1990, the figure had dropped to near 30 percent due to industrialization. Although the other 70 percent of the population lives in urban areas, most of today's city dwellers are only one or two generations removed from their ancestral villages. The peasant past is still very much with them, and despite their urbanization and education, many of them still think in egalitarian terms.

Today's Russia is still a developing country, with poverty, inefficiency, low productivity, poor public health, a primitive infrastructure, and a disregard for the law. The new Russia is very much like it was in its communist days. Russians still have negative feelings towards the government; recent public opinion polls show that the vast majority of Russians are convinced that most of their leaders hold public office for personal gain and ignore the concerns of the common man. This sentiment of the government runs very deep and is based on past experiences.

In Russia, women are strong, hard-working, long-suffering, and the true heroes of Russia. Ninety percent are in the work force, where they occupy mostly secondary positions. Although Russian culture is regarded as very male-chauvinistic, usually the women of the society are the responsible ones. Research done by Co-Mission in 1994 indicated that there was a tendency for Russian men to feel an inner guilt for being irresponsible, in both family and social roles. Rather than working through the problems, men