Russia and Finland as European Societies

Abstract

Markku Kivinen — Director, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki. Address: P.O. Box 33 (Yliopistonkatu 4), 00014, Finland. E-mail: Markku.Kivinen@helsinki.fi

This article discusses the problems of modernization in Russia and its relations with European states. The author claims that contemporary Finland is a developed European country with a modern information economy and developed social infrastructure protecting citizens from the negative consequences of the free market. There are no stark social disparities in Finland that are so typical for contemporary Russia. Russia faces different problems: it seeks a way out of the crisis caused by the Soviet experiment and inept social reforms. Finland has been successful, because it found a way to accommodate three ethical systems — the entrepreneurial spirit of modern capitalism, the socialist ideal of equality and the spirit of the free peasant.

The author believes that Russia followed a different path. For a long time, the spiritual basis of Russian life was dominated by the socialist idea. This had no checks and balances in the form of entrepreneurial spirit, or the idea of independence that stemmed from peasant life. After the socialist idea lost its dominance in public discourse, Russian society faced a deep crisis. It appeared that it was difficult to deal with the past if there was no alternative to it in the present or the future.

Russia now needs to respond to four major challenges — choose an identity, make its economy diversified, define parameters of its political system and build up social protection for its citizens. While tackling these tasks it could rely on the knowledge accumulated in other countries, Finland in particular. Firstly, Russia has to decide in which direction it is going to develop — Western or Eastern. The Western course calls not only for development of economic ties with Europe, but also for following the norms of public life that underlie European identity. Secondly, Russia must overcome its dependence on energy exports and make its economy more diversified. This goal can hardly be achieved without the cooperation with other countries. Thirdly, it is important that the country makes real steps towards democratization and fill political institutions with real life. Fourthly, it is necessary to construct an effective system of social protection that can dampen the effects of the market for those who, for various reasons, cannot fully participate in economic life. The last of these objectives can be successfully attained if Russia accounts for the experience of European countries, Finnish experience not the least. Finland’s interest is to see Russia as a successful, developing country that overcame its past and become “pacified” in the same way as Germany.