Strong Bear Or Weak Poseur? Despite His Military Adventures In Crimea And Ukraine, Putin Is Constrained By His Country’s Own Economic Weakness.
The Russian bear?
Churchill once stated that Russia 'was never as strong as it wants to be, but never as weak as so thought.' Even today this statement holds true. Its geo-politics seem to have an never ending curse that can't be shaken. Russia lies between the two great continents of Europe and Asia, but it's kind of unsure which one it belongs to.
The GDP of Russia and its economy is worth looking at. It has around the same GDP as Mexico on a global scale which is not saying much. As we all know from basic economics, the ability of a country to grow depends on creating goods and services, and this is directly linked to the imports coming directly into the country. But if a country has limited access to those markets, then the GDP can't grow as quickly.
Powers hard and soft
Russia is far more weaker than people realise. A richer country like America for example can readily access global markets, and thus spread the favourable image of itself that it wishes to export via soft and hard powers.
Ultimately the power of the West (Western Europe/North America) has been based on economic wealth, but the West only contains a fraction of the people of the world, but many of these people are extremely wealthy.
The recent World Bank statistics tell us that Russia's GDP in 2015 was £1,326 billion which would place it mid table in the top #20 GDPs of the world.
In essence Russia is dwarfed by the economic superpowers that are the US and China. At most it's a superpower of medium power that spars with countries like Mexico and South Korea. More like a bear cub in reality. Lets just leave it at that.
Would love to take the transsibiran railway myself. As a Norwegian we have always had good relations to Russia, especially in the north where we have been trading with them for centuries peacefully. If I am not wrong Norway is one of the few, if not the only country Russia is in border to that they have never been to war with. As you saw during the recession in 2007/08 Poland was one of the countries that handled it best in the EU area, and Russia is not too different since they are self served. It is much more difficult for a country like Norway to survive in a crise like this since we depend on importing goods and food even that we are very wealthy.
Lots of poor Russian soldiers are currently on the Polish borders looking in at the 5% GDP growth of Poland - one of the highest in the Euro-zone at the moment - the place is bustling with life. And look at the UK on a measly 0.2%!! Brexit = OUCH!!
I am in UK at the moment, but heading for Prague in a couple of months - it has been a nice place to visit this period with a weak Pound :) but as Norway, UK is overprized and I am actually looking forward to get back to Bohemia for cheap beers and great food.
I am in UK and goto Krakow, Poland next month where things are cheap and life is more bustling! Life in the UK is dank, depressed and expensive!!
You are right, and I have heard only good things about Krakow :) from my perspective it has been an interesting visit in UK, however, as you say - it is like living in "eastenders" where everyone is related to eachother on the pubs somehow. At least you have great football, the beer is still best in Czech Republic.
For me the best beer is Czech, but the best sausage is Polish ;) I combine both when I am there. For me, Krakow is the most beautiful city in Europe! Go there one day Mr Viking man!
The food in central/eastern part of Europe is amazing :) epsecially meatdishes, so what they lack in fishdishes - they cover in meat. In UK the people is great, it takes a while to crack the ice when you are the Pilgrim, but when it happens you become a part of them. It might be easier for me because I am from Norway, but the food in UK could be better - it seems to me that everything have to be cooked in oil. However, there are some good dishes as scotcheggs, Haggis/Tattis and yorkshire pudding. Even fish as I look at as healthy food is boiled in oil and served with chips??? :)))
Polish cuisine is hearty and pork based - I love it! Plates of meat and good beer - we don't have that in the UK :( God bless Poland and the Czech Republic ... and Norway too ... best not forget yourself and @fyrstikken!
Will try Krakow for sure :) just havent had the chance, was in warsaw - but it is too massive. I find Prague as the best city in and most beautiful to live in
Warsaw is a horrible place! I find Prague too busy with tourists. The vibe is more quieter and more boho in Krakow - it is the city of artists after all! I asked for #steemfest2 to be there because of that!
https://steemit.com/steemit/@mindhunter/where-should-steemfest-2-be-held-in-2017-mindhunter-votes-for-krakow-poland-for-the-following-reasons
Russia will be rich if it sells off all its nukes to countries that want nukes.
But even then it will be under the watchful eye of the bigger bears ;)
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