ISSUE PAPER: Russia and the Information Revolution
Abstract
Russia's economic, political, and social development as well as its integration into the community of Western nations will depend importantly on the extent of its participation in the ongoing information revolution in which those nations are embarked. Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the Russian government has sought to promote the development of information and communications technologies (IT) in Russia, but it is both limited in the resources it can devote to this goal and concerned about the political and national security implications of IT development. At the same time, IT development and use have taken root in some segments of Russia's economy and society, but their reach and impact remain limited. Although concerns about a "digital divide" may be overwrought, it is very much an open question whether Russia has either the will or the capabilities to become a full fledged participant in the information revolution in the foreseeable future. This issue paper outlines some of the major trends and contradictions in the development of information and communications technologies in Russia and explores their impact on Russian society. Finally, it raises several issues for further study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404468
Entities
People
- D. J. Peterson
- Jeremy R. Azrael
Organizations
- RAND Corporation