Russia with its long history and rich traditions is also a newly-independent state, with unstable institutions and uncertain identity. Its post-Communist transition has involved broad and sometimes radical reforms which have been remarkably inconsistent and remain incomplete. The current result is a hybrid system that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism, market economy and central control; most of its legal foundations are weak and are being further weakened by widespread corruption. In this unpromising environment, the powerful energy complex is not just the main revenue-producing industry – it has become one of the key state structures, acquiring the profile of a hegemonic institution. The energy complex has a key role in President Putin’s strategy of strengthening the state, and this role is not just instrumental but also systemic, with a profound impact on Russia’s identity formation. The energy complex today has a strong influence on shaping foreign policy and is likely to determine Russia’s further trajectory.
The main aim of the pilot project is to explore the range of topics and issues related to the state-building role of the Russian energy complex and identify those that are the most dynamic, generate heavy political impact and remain under-evaluated. These issues would shape the subject and set the targets for further large-scale research. This aim would include providing a background on the energy complex, its composition and its relations with the government, as well as provisional analysis across a variety of topics, with focus on five key goals: