The future of Russia

Because I am about to teach a course in Russian politics, I am following the news out of that country a little more closely than usual. I have already pointed to stories like this which are nothing less than tragic: Russians, Dying Younger, Have More Abortions Than Children. But there is perhaps a glimmer of hope in the following report: Russia leads in GDP growth - figures. Mere economic growth is hardly an answer to the ongoing social and demographic crisis of postcommunist Russia. Yet if couples are less worried about the birth of a child pushing them into abject poverty, they may opt for more children.