Lesson 4: Oil and Oligarchy in Putin’s Russia
January 25, 2018
Review:
- European Union and Sovereign Debt
- Exam 1 in one week on Thu, Feb 1
- Prepare for discussion/debate re EU on Tue, Jan 30
Presentation:
- Russia and Central Asia Geography
- Geopolitical Constraints (from Mapping Russia’s Strategy by George Friedman)
- Oil & Gas Contribution to Russian Economy
- Oil Prices (NY Times article)
- Putin elected President in 2000
- Until 2015 oil prices had gone up steadily, except during the 2008-2009 global recession
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- A Hollow Superpower (Economist article)
- Russian Oligarchy
- Organized Crime power structure
- Pay “tribute” to power brokers above you
- Pueblo connection: EVRAZ owner Roman Abromovich (Forbes)
- Putin’s Way (Frontline video)
Assignment:
- Prepare for a discussion/debate re the future of the European Union
- Brexit impact
- Greece and others economic/debt woes
- Russian aggression in Ukraine et al
- What should the EU do?