Ekonomisk säkerhet - Till vilket pris ?

The report treats the Russian official views on economic security and examines its parts and aims. The author accomplishes this by comparing the most important documents and statements, especially the Security concepts, during two periods, 1996-1997 and 1999-2000, to the concept of economic security. The second period also led to a change in russian security policy, partly as a result of the economic development. The author puts three questions: 1.how does the Russian leadership define economic security, 2 has this view changed and 3.how is it related to western theoretical thinking in this field? The Russian oficial view on economic security can thermatically be divided into three parts: 1. the need for a stable economic growth in order to secure the material needs of the population,2. a greater economic influence in the surrounding world and 3. assurance of Russia´s economic independence. The Russian political leadership defines economic security extensively. Economic security is strongly tied to military and political security. Branches of strategic importance, like the military industrial complex, should continue to be controlled by the state. This view of a broader security concept coincides with that of several western researchers, but the Russian view is more comprehensive and includes factors usually regarded in the West as normal economic policy. Such mindsets, largely originating from the Soviet oeriod, are characterized by zero.sum thinking and suspicious attitudes towards foreign economic interests and thus discourage potential foreign investors. Since the threats are perceived as directed against the state and consequently of highest priority, Russian policy has been focused on these rather than increasing the welfare of the population.