Russia
From Gothpoodle
- Population: 108 million
- Aspects: Stable, Controlled, Fourth Wave
For decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was the “sick man of Europe.” The legacy of the Soviet era was a society riddled with corruption, a political system fragmented into dozens of squabbling factions, inefficient industries, ramshackle technology, a polluted countryside, and a gaggle of resentful ethnic minorities.
After an initial flirtation with democracy, Russia soon fell into a cycle of authoritarian rule followed by civil disorder. From about 2015 to about 2060, the central Russian government had a great deal of trouble maintaining control. Regional governments went their own way, often at the bidding of local military leaders, ethnic minorities, or organized crime groups. This period of weakness culminated in the chaotic civil war of 2057-2063, in which Siberia and other areas made bids for regional autonomy or outright independence.
The civil war was traumatic, but it led to a significant revival of Russian fortunes. By 2063 the conflict had ended with the defeat of the secessionists and the rise of a “Renewal Union” faction. This coalition had the support of several power centers, including the bulk of the Russian military and the influential Russian Orthodox Church. The regime it assembled was not very democratic, but it was strong enough to bring the provincial governments into line and begin the process of rebuilding a unified Russia.
Today’s Russia incorporates all of the old Russian Federation, along with what was once independent Belarus, but without the old Kaliningrad oblast on the Baltic Sea. Russia remains an authoritarian state, but the postwar regime has made great strides. Modern technology has been applied to bring a decent standard of living to all Russians, not only the urban elite. The military has been thoroughly modernized, and an aggressive space program has resumed. Corruption and regional factionalism have been much reduced. Democratic reforms have allowed the Russian people some voice in their own government. Many Russians have begun to hope that the bitter cycle of despotism and anarchy has finally been broken.
At present, Russia has a Fourth Wave economy and is continuing to develop at a rapid pace. In fact, Russia has an unusually long history of applying biotechnology. St. Petersburg was a biotech sanctuary early in the century, and even through the anarchic decades the city remained a major center of genetic research. The current government has devoted much effort to making sure the entire population has access to genetic technology. Gene-modified humans, bioroids, and other genetic constructs are quite common throughout the country.
Russia spent much of the past century bitterly resentful at its loss of position in world affairs. Once a superpower whose dictates made the world tremble, by 2025 Russia had a smaller economy than Argentina and a military barely able to maintain order within its national borders. This steep decline was halted after the civil war, and has decisively reversed in recent years. Today, Russia is aggressively pursuing greater world influence. It is a member of no formal alliance, but it sometimes finds common interests with the European Union, China, India, and the Islamic Caliphate. Russian diplomacy is carefully pragmatic, working with other nations whenever possible but not afraid to act independently. Russia is particularly cool toward the United States and the Pacific Rim Alliance.
See also Königsberg-Kaliningrad.
