The future of Russia

[duke o' york]

What can I do if I love the President too much?

[Bereta_Eder]

A very close relationship with the EU (next to actual member) while getting rid of UK will benefit everyone.

[General Ludd]

Russia will become universally prosperous and westernise and bully it's neighbors.

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion
How does the author explain the relatively successful industries of Finland, Sweden, Canada, Island...?

They (two authors) simple prove with pure statistics that those countries are more warm than Russia.

The often mentioned theory that workers in cold climates are more productive than their counterparts nearer to the equator sounds far more convincing than the theory that production in cold climates is more expensive.

Yeah, right. From 1 tonn of seeds Russian peasant could grow 2, at best 3 toonns of bread, while European peasants could grow 10-15 tonns or so. So climate isn't important factor, right?

[DinoDoc]

I highly doubt that Finland is signifigantly warmer than Russia.

[Bereta_Eder]

Finland didn't have to do such huge spending on military.

[Combat Ingrid]

Besides, some of the most fertile Finnish land is nowadays occupied by Russia

[VetLegion]

Yeah, right. From 1 tonn of seeds Russian peasant could grow 2, at best 3 toonns of bread, while European peasants could grow 10-15 tonns or so. So climate isn't important factor, right?

What about soil? Croatian peasant has warm climate while his soil is mostly rocky and unsuited for agriculture. That is just give the example. If Russian climate is diasadvantageous (which is partly true, but also remember that wheat actually likes colder climates) it could have been (and will be) compensated by Russian comparative advantages - better soil, better efficiency and organization.

Are you aware that some of the types of wheat with best yield that are currently grown in Canada are of Russian origin?

Your claim that:

Russians are people too of course, but we are different people.

Is ridiculous, not because of political correctness, but because it doesn't follow from historical evidence and examples. Russians simply had bad luck with their systems of government.

If Russians are really different, how do you explain seamless integration of Russian emigrants in western societies such as USA or Europe?

[VetLegion]

And you are not alone with your "we are special" crap. Paiktis can perhaps confirm that Greeks also consider themselves to be part of west but also part of east as their culture had strong influences from the east (and they even claim to have quite some of their land in Asia ). However, Greeks did not extrapolate from that that they are destined to cycles of dictatorships followed by prosperity. Greek farmland is also next to naught.

Back to agriculture. Can someone confirm this: I am under the impression that throughout much of post-Roman European history, the Dutch have been the most productive farmers, despite their soil actually being pretty crappy and owing much to their superior efficiency and organization. Is this true?

[MrFun]

That first poll option seems unfairly skewed -- why can't a country become prosperous without Westernizing in every aspect??

[DanS]

Modern advanced economies don't rely on agriculture to any great degree, so it doesn't really matter that Russia has a short summer. It should not hamper Russia's advance. It's true that Russia has to spend a lot on energy. IIRC, Russia spends more than the US does per capita. That said, even energy shouldn't be an unduly large piece of the pie, once the basics of a sound economy are laid out. I'm reasonably optimistic about Russia's economic future.

I'm more concerned that Russia will fall into dictatorship. That's where Putin is leading Russia politically.

[MrFun]

Russia will fall back under the yoke of the revived Mongolian Empire!!!!!!!!

[Serb]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I highly doubt that Finland is signifigantly warmer than Russia.

It is. I can't give you an average yearly temperature right now, I don't have this book right now. But it is warmer. And temperature it is not a single factor, the book says about others, but as I said I can't explain whole book within a couple of lines.

[Serb]

Originally posted by VetLegion


What about soil? Croatian peasant has warm climate while his soil is mostly rocky and unsuited for agriculture. That is just give the example. If Russian climate is diasadvantageous (which is partly true, but also remember that wheat actually likes colder climates) it could have been (and will be) compensated by Russian comparative advantages - better soil, better efficiency and organization.

Are you aware that some of the types of wheat with best yield that are currently grown in Canada are of Russian origin?

Look pall, I belive to statistic. Absolute majority of population of Canada llives in regions which by Russian standards considers as VERY warm clime. The Canada is the second largest country on Earth with population equal to population of Austria. It's population is several times lesser than population of Russia. Had Russia the same population which would live only in warm parts of the country- it would have been pretty much like canada, BUT th proble is that our population is MUCH greater- that we created much bigger civilization.

Your claim that:

Russians are people too of course, but we are different people.

Is ridiculous, not because of political correctness, but because it doesn't follow from historical evidence and examples. Russians simply had bad luck with their systems of government.

If Russians are really different, how do you explain seamless integration of Russian emigrants in western societies such as USA or Europe?

Everyone is different. I don't claim that someone is better or worse. I just claim that people are different, as well as countries are different and cultures are different.
Is it ridiculous?

[Serb]

Originally posted by DanS
Modern advanced economies don't rely on agriculture to any great degree, so it doesn't really matter that Russia has a short summer. It should not hamper Russia's advance.

This book isn't about current time only- it's research of Russia history.

It's true that Russia has to spend a lot on energy. IIRC, Russia spends more than the US does per capita.

It's true, and aside you, for us its a question of surviaval. Currently its -34C outside. I doubt anyone can survive long in house without warm in such condition.

That said, even energy shouldn't be an unduly large piece of the pie, once the basics of a sound economy are laid out.

It's not only about energy. Construction cost much more here than for exampl in Germany, not to mention China or Taiwan. We had to dig our pipes much deeper, make our walls different, make basements stronger, etc, etc, etc.

I'm reasonably optimistic about Russia's economic future. I'm more concerned that Russia will fall into dictatorship. That's where Putin is leading Russia politically

Luckily for you Putin is not that kind of guy. Too bad for him.