MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Scholar Background:
Capt. Margarita Balish has been a Russian LEAP scholar since 2012 and has a cross-training language in Mandarin Chinese. She has completed two Russian Language Intensive Training Events, four Russian eMentors, one Chinese eMentor, and one Spanish eMentor. Her special projects Russian eMentor focused on the effects of the economy on the governmental goals and politics of the Russian Federation.
eMentor Project Summary (English):
This presentation aims to analyze the types of factors that affect the government of the Russian Federation and how this is reflected in governmental goals. In Russia, the majority of higher technology has a dual purpose. It is advantageous for industries to develop in a particular technological sector because they are supported by the government financially. The government strives to accomplish military objectives through the use of this technology and resources.
To understand the alignment of governmental and economic objectives, we must first look at circumstances in contemporary history in Russia. In the 1980s, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic began its transition from a planned economic system to one that embraced market economy characteristics in what is known as a transitional economic period. Furthermore, more industries were privatized, except for national defense and energy sectors. Over the decades, the government continued to inject funding into key industries that remained under their control, attesting to the overall development goals of the RF. Such spheres included the oil industry and electrotransport and other high technology sectors to suit greater military objectives and dual usage functions. The government's strategic sectors continued to be supported to advance national defense goals, aiding in the development of space capability, etc.
In conclusion, the RF continues to advance its national defense objectives, as reflected in its economic landscape. The government supports key technology sectors, namely high-tech areas that serve a dual-usage function in a military industrial complex.
To see the presentation slides, click here.
--Russian LEAP scholar Capt. Margarita Balish