Innovation in Russia waits for a Sputnik Moment

Nov 04 2011

Niyaz Karim

Russia’s social and economic realities are not conducive to a reversal in technological decline. The trend can’t be stopped by preaching innovation or by lavish public spending. It can be reversed only by a rebirth of Russian people’s awareness that restructuring to a knowledge-based economy is the only option for national survival in global competition. Paraphrasing the old Russian saying: “Until thunder strikes a man would not cross himself,” it's possible to say: “Don’t expect innovation until a Sputnik Moment!”

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