Geography and Institutions in Shaping the Development of Nations: Russia

This book provides a concise and informative introduction to how geography and institutions shaped the development of nations, showing that while the role of institutions in the development of nations is indisputable, the role of geographic factors remains underexplored and underestimated. Drawing on rich empirical material from the history and modernity of different continents and nations, the book seeks to show not only the importance of geographical explanations of development but also their extraordinary diversity. Though the research explores various cases on different continents in different historical periods, this talk will focus on the Russian case. Busygina will show how a particular combination of geographic and institutional variables largely determined Russia's domestic and foreign policy, in particular predetermining the launching of the war against Ukraine.

Event Speakers

Irina Busygina: Independent Scholar

Timothy Colton: Morris and Anna Feldberg Professor of Government and Russian Studies, Harvard University

Host or Publisher Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies