tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25230932.post115599899919837562..comments2023-10-06T10:10:06.982-04:00Comments on La Russophobe: Annals of Cold War II: Trade Skirmish EscalatesLa Russophobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05672264388217953086noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25230932.post-1156163396852479922006-08-21T08:29:00.000-04:002006-08-21T08:29:00.000-04:00K: Thanks for the links!Indeed, we may now be see...K: Thanks for the links!<BR/><BR/>Indeed, we may now be seeing a classically neo-Soviet "sour grapes" approach to the WTO, with Russia now saying it never really wanted admission anyway. However, that's not what we heard from Russia in the run-up to the G-8 meeting in Piter. Those who claim to be in opposition were quite silent then.<BR/><BR/>However, you make an interesting point, that WTO membership might serve to undermine Putin's dictatorship by helping to bolster the development of diverse industry in Russia. For sure, Russia can't become a participant in the world economy without WTO membership, and there are many in Russia who, like always in Russia's history, don't WANT it to become so. <BR/><BR/>However, blocking WTO access cannot be done in isolation. Russia can't maintain its position in the G-8 (or for that matter the UN) once the world concludes that it can/will never enter the WTO. What's more, sooner or later Russia will suffer a serious regional competive disadvantage once Ukraine, Georgia and others start benefiting from WTO membership and translating it into further steps towards European integration, leaving Russia in the dust.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, Russia will end up locked in another Cold War with the US if it can't gain WTO admission. If that's really what some Russians want, they are insane. Only a Russian totally drunk on oil revenues could imagine that Russia can face such a conflict successfully.<BR/><BR/>Of course, it's also quite true that Russia doesn't stand much of a chance in a free-market competition, so for sure Russia finds itself between a rock and hard place.La Russophobehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672264388217953086noreply@blogger.com