A Critical Review of Existing Approaches to Siberia: Relevance to Siberian Economic Development

Abstract

Russia went through major political and economic changes in the 1990s. Siberia, historically a resource-colony, also began autonomous economic development. However, economic development did not succeed as planned and resulted in total failure. Siberia still holds the same meaning to Russia, as a colony that provides natural resources. But the exploitation of Siberia's rich resources is not enough to entice policymakers and scientists to develop Siberia until it reaches its full economic potential. This leads to a concentration of research in the economic analysis of resources, energy, transport, environment, agriculture, and forestry. The focus on institutional transformation is very typical in the discussion about Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia's transformation, while micro-institutional analyses remain silent about Siberia. Emerging research on fiscal federalism and regionalization in Russia can provide basic elements of a micro-institutional theory, but elements such as a framework for education, local administration, and infrastructure are still wanting.