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Petronation? Oil, gas, and national identity in Russia

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  • Peter Rutland

Abstract

Based on survey research, elite interviews, and an analysis of media treatment, this article explores the place of oil and gas in Russia's national narrative and self-identity. Objectively, Russia's economic development, political stability, and ability to project power abroad rest on its oil and gas resources. Subjectively, however, Russians are somewhat reluctant to accept that oil and gas dependency is part of their national identity. This is particularly true of the elites who play a crucial role in defining the dominant national narrative. Ordinary Russians generally have quite positive attitudes about the role of Gazprom and Russia's emergence as an “energy superpower” – while at the same time being wary of becoming a “raw materials appendage” of the outside world. One of the unexpected findings to emerge from the survey data is the strong regional differences on the question of whether Russia should be proud of its reliance on energy. Gazprom is popular in the Central Federal District, but less so as one moves east. The article concludes with an analysis of the factors constraining the role of energy in Russia's national narrative: the prominent history of military victories and territorial expansion; a strong commitment to modernization through science and industry; and concerns over corruption, environmental degradation, and foreign exploitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Rutland, 2015. "Petronation? Oil, gas, and national identity in Russia," Post-Soviet Affairs, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 66-89, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:rpsaxx:v:31:y:2015:i:1:p:66-89
    DOI: 10.1080/1060586X.2014.952537
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    Cited by:

    1. Scott R Stephenson & John A Agnew, 2016. "The work of networks: Embedding firms, transport, and the state in the Russian Arctic oil and gas sector," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 48(3), pages 558-576, March.
    2. Yakovlev, Andrey A. (Яковлев, Андрей А.) & Freinkman, Lev M. (Фрейнкман, Лев М.) & Makarov, Sergey A. (Макаров, Сергей А.) & Pogodaev, Victor S. (Погодаев, Виктор С.), 2018. "The Elite Consensus and Regional Economic Development: The Experience of the Republic of Tatarstan [Элитный Консенсус И Экономическое Развитие Региона: Опыт Республики Татарстан]," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 1, pages 180-217, February.
    3. Daneshzand, Farzaneh & Asali, Mehdi & Al-Sobhi, Saad A. & Diabat, Ali & Elkamel, Ali, 2022. "A simulation-based optimization scheme for phase-out of natural gas subsidies considering welfare and economic measures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    4. Hartwell, Christopher A. & Korovkin, Vladimir, 2021. "Contracting in a void: The role of the banking sector in developing property rights in Russia," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 113-127.
    5. Oleksiyenko, Anatoly V., 2023. "Geopolitical agendas and internationalization of post-soviet higher education: Discursive dilemmas in the realm of the prestige economy," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    6. Svetlana A. Tulaeva & Maria S. Tysiachniouk & Laura A. Henry & Leah S. Horowitz, 2019. "Globalizing Extraction and Indigenous Rights in the Russian Arctic: The Enduring Role of the State in Natural Resource Governance," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Yakovlev, Andrei & Freinkman, Lev & Makarov, Sergey & Pogodaev, Victor, 2017. "In response to external shocks: How advanced Russian regions react to changes in federal policies - Experience of Tatarstan," BOFIT Policy Briefs 10/2017, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    8. Jaakko J. Jääskeläinen & Sakari Höysniemi & Sanna Syri & Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen, 2018. "Finland’s Dependence on Russian Energy—Mutually Beneficial Trade Relations or an Energy Security Threat?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-25, September.

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