Pricing Pain: Social Discontent and Political Willpower in Russia’s Gas Sector

Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 311–329, 2011

22 Pages Posted: 5 Mar 2020

See all articles by Indra Overland

Indra Overland

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs

Hilde Kutschera

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

This article explores the influence of socio-economic discontent on the determination of decision makers to cut subsidies on natural gas for Russian households. The authors outline first the organisation of gas supplies and subsidies, and secondly the relationship between policymaking signals and public opinion concerning the minor price adjustments implemented so far. They then examine previous cases of discontent in other sectors, extrapolating implications for a major increase in gas prices. The conclusion is that Russian policymaking is characterised by a pattern of ‘two steps forward, one step back’: decision makers are concerned about discontent, but nonetheless they ultimately press on with reform.

Keywords: Russia, Gas, Politics

Suggested Citation

Overland, Indra and Kutschera, Hilde, Pricing Pain: Social Discontent and Political Willpower in Russia’s Gas Sector (2011). Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 311–329, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3506712

Indra Overland (Contact Author)

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

Hilde Kutschera

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
12
Abstract Views
187
PlumX Metrics