 "Photo: Conor and Kellee Brennan")
The Kremlin, communism, gulags and vodka are some of the buzzwords associated with Russia, but things are beginning to change.
A cultural education event on Russia, hosted by the Global Career Center and held by Student Activities on Feb. 23, explored the curious mixture of capitalism, communism, and nostalgia for the old that characterizes modern Russia. Professor Peter Konovnitzine lectured to a packed group of students on the post-Soviet status and likely future of the world’s largest country.
In 2008, Russia experienced a 5.6 percent economic growth rate, increasing the gross domestic product to $1. 67 trillion. According to Konovnitzine, the economic development has made life for the average Russian much better. Poverty levels are decreasing and people are much happier since President Boris Yeltsin’s resignation in 1999.
Currently titled the Russian Federation, the formerly communist state has a president, prime minister, a legislative, and judicial branch; these familiar terms somewhat misrepresent the political atmosphere at hand—Russia is not entirely without red.
Konovnitzine discussed the incongruity of the Russian culture—in one view of the Kremlin one can see the communists’ star symbol, the double-headed eagle of Imperial Russia, and the steeples of Greek Orthodox Church.
Broadly speaking, one-third of Russians favor communism, one-third are monarchial enthusiasts, and the remaining third are in the middle. It is worth mentioning; however, that a subway stop has recently been named after Stalin.
While the West views President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin negatively, the average Russian claims prosperity and success under this government; per capita income is valued at $9,000.
Having a controlled press is a small concession to one’s civil liberties in comparison to being thrown into the former work camps established under Stalin, called gulags.
A common concern voiced several times during the question and answer portion of the event was, “Why did some people get thrown into work camps?”
“No reason whatsoever,” explained Konovnitzine. “Maybe you looked the wrong way. Really [for] anything in particular.” Religion, lack of devotion to the Red Party, or labor needs were among the many reasons that people were sent off to the gulags in Siberia.
A more recent example of efforts to control the truth occurred in 2006 when Anna Politkovskaya was gunned down in an elevator at her apartment for speaking out about Russian involvement in Chechnya.
The tyranny of the state security is less ominous today but Russians have other difficulties to overcome. Birth replacement rate in Russia will not sustain the current population. Alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases are two factors contributing to the 15 percent infertility rate as well as the high birth defect rate.
Even with the economic warming, some towns in rural areas are being closed for lack of habitation and productivity. Social and economic conditions are still far from representing a free state by American standards, said Konovnitzine.
The 20-minute cultural lecture closed with any final questions from students and others in attendance.
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