Mechanisms of Russia’s economic growth: “simple things economy” and the resonance effect
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0130-0105-6-60-4-6
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to consider some of established mechanisms of economic growth in modern Russia and possible prospects for their development. Formation of these mechanisms is linked to an important specific feature of our country, i.e. preserved market nature of the economy (especially regarding price mechanism) combined with the growing role of the state as a regulator of economic activity, which provides direct support to certain industries or enterprises. Due to this combination, the economic growth has two “engines”. The first, the market one, is switched on by the reaction of economic agents (primarily entrepreneursinvestors and banks) to the changes in demand structure, caused by societal (especially demographic) development trends. The second, the state support one, is switched on by political decision of the government, which decides to support this or that industry or region. Normally these two engines do not work in the same direction, since generally it is unreasonable for the state to spend limited budget resources on supporting those who have successfully caught the trend and is actively growing on its own. Nevertheless, based on performance analysis of some state support programs, the paper claims that sometimes — due to either political decision or incomplete foresight — the state support contributes to growth in spheres that would grow even without such support. This results in the emergence of economic resonance, i.e. the combination of state support and market forces working in the same direction. Such resonance may lead to fast economic growth, especially in case when the state support involves “simple” mass investments, occurred in the economic sector defined as the “simple things’ economy”. Drawing on the Strategy of Spatial Development of Russia and relevant demographic trends, the paper makes certain forecasts on most probable effects of the economic resonance in the forthcoming years.
References
1. Administration of the P resident of Russia, official site (2023, February 11) Address of the President of Russia to the Federal Assembly. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/70565.
2. Buhgalterskiy uchet. Nalogi. Audit (2020, May 25). 5 expert prognoses on the extent of Russian economy collapse because of coronavirus. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.audit-it.ru/news/finance/1013080.html.
3. Interfax. (2025, August 11). Khusnullin claimed the Russians’ per capita availability of housing is low. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1040598.
4. Kapeliushnikov, R. (2015). The idea of secular stagnation: Three versions. Voprosy Ekonomiki, 5, 104–133.
5. Kolomak, E. (2013). Uneven territorial development in Russia: explanations by new economic geography. Voprosy Ekonomiki, 2, 132–150.
6. Lenta. (2024, August 22). Unexpected positive consequences of climate change for the Russia’s agriculture are named.. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://lenta.ru/news/2024/08/22/nazvany-neozhidannye-plyusy-izmeneniya-klimata-dlya-selskogohozyaystva-rossii/.
7. Мinstroy (Ministry of Construction of Russia), offi cialsite (2024, January 26). Housing construction results in 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.minstroyrf.gov.ru/press/podvedeny-itogi-zhilishchnogo-stroitelstva-v-2023-godu/.
8. Mkrtchan, N. (2003). From Russia to Russia: from where and where to are internal migrants moving? Mir Rossii, (2), 151–165.
9. RBK. (2023, August 19). The census revealed growth of number of singles in Russia. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.rbc.ru/economics/19/08/2023/64dcddcd9a794758fcac52e4?ysclid=mbqb35xffq271189327.
10. RBK. (2024, August 9). Russians tend to eat meat in record amounts. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.rbc.ru/economics/09/08/2024/66b4b9919a7947473323a075?ysclid=mbp2qzw76o85.
11. RBK. (2025, March 26). Mishustin reported Russians’ real income growth by 8,5% in 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/67e3cce19a79476935a9853a.
12. RIA Novosti. (2024, May 13). Leading regions in housing construction volumes in 2023 are announced. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://ria.ru/20240513/zhile-1945474657.html.
13. Rosstat (Russian State Committee on Statistics). Statistical bulletins of migration in 2014– 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/11110/document/13283.
14. Rozinskaya, N., & Rozinskiy, I. (2019). South-western vector: climate factor of Russia’s socio-economic development. Voprosy Ekonomiki, 5, 122–135.
15. Rybakovskiy, O., & Sudoplatova, V. (2015). Permanent migration of people in Russian regions. Narodonaseleniye, 3, 4–14.
16. Strategy of spatial development of Russia until 2030 with forecast until 2036. Approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on Dec. 28, 2024, 4146.
17. Vedomosti (2024, March 11). The Russians revealed their preferences on housing: 58% prefer individual houses. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.vedomosti.ru/press_releases/2024/03/11/rossiyane-podelilis-predpochteniyami-po-zhilyu-58-hoteli-bi-zhit-vchastnom-dome.
18. Cowen, T. (2011). The Great Stagnation: How America Ate All the Low-Hanging Fruit of Modern History, Got Sick, and Will (Eventually) Feel Better. NY: Penguin Group.
19. Cragg, M. I., & Kahn, M. E. (1997). New estimates of climate demand: evidence from location choice. Journal of Urban Economics, 42, 261–284.
20. Cragg, M. I., & Kahn, M. E. (1999). Climate consumption and climate pricing from 1940 to 1990. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 29, 519–539.
21. Graves, P. E. (1980). Migration and Climate. Journal of Regional Science, 20(2), 227–237.
22. Piguet, Е. (2013). From “Primitive Migration” to “Climate Refugees”: The Curious Fate of the Natural Environment in Migration Studies. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 103(14).
23. Redhanz, K., & Maddison, D. (2009). The amenity value of climate to households in Germany. Oxford Economic Papers, 61, 150–167.
24. Shleifer, A., & Vishny, R. (1997). A Survey of Corporate Governance. The Journal of Finance, 52(2) (January), 737–783.
25. Svart, L. (1976). Environmental Preference Migration: A Review. Geographical Review 66(3), 314–330.
26. Ullman, E. L. (1954). Amenities as a Factor in Regional Growth. Geographical Review 44(1), 119–132.
Review
For citations:
Rozinsky I.A. Mechanisms of Russia’s economic growth: “simple things economy” and the resonance effect. Moscow University Economics Bulletin. 2025;(4):108-126. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0130-0105-6-60-4-6