The Soviet era was a dramatic period for Russia -- by its end, the entire population wished it could leave the country permanently. However, in the beginning of the year 2000, many were optimistic. Cash flow in the private sector, economic development and state support made many people return to their motherland and work in Russia. Nowadays, Russians feel the need to look for a better life outside the country once again because of reasons similar to the those that existed in the Soviet years.
Review of the Russian Economy
One of the main reasons why people feel deprived and consider emigrating is the state of the Russian economy. After the Soviet period, money gradually started flowing into the private sector. As the Economist indicates, the first years of Vladimir Putin as head of the federation marked a significant period of Russia's modern history -- he managed to attract large amounts of foreign capital, developed a significant commercial grid among corporate players and started exploring new horizons for the Russian economy. This led to an increase in the average income per capita, gave more opportunities to educated and informed individuals and developed a strong sense of stability throughout the country.
However, a decade after this flourishing period, Russia is again in a state of decay. More and more people realize that the costs of living in Russia have increased tremendously, the business opportunities are decreasing and political games have ruined the once perfect corporate world. Important political figures dominate the market; they are unable to focus on key aspects such as corruption simply because they take part in such dangerous schemes. As economist and political expert Manabu Suhara indicates in a paper dedicated to corruption in Russia, influential figures disrupt the economy of the country by accumulating billions of state money for their own benefit - the so called 'ghost money' schemes.
Social Attitude towards Russia's Disrupted Economy
Russian society has come to a point where it clearly realizes that their economy and politics are being misused for a 'dodgy' purpose... the well-being not of the nation, but of the high-class. Thus the rich become richer and the middle class is facing extinction by being slowly replaced by under-class people. Currently, more than 22% of Russia's adult population wish they could leave the country permanently. Among them, there are many from high income occupations.Clearly, money is not the only factor provoking people's choice. The once powerful nation that fought Soviet injustice is once again facing political and economic erosion but under the reign of different politically oriented individuals.
