Scholar discusses Russia’s place in the world at VGCC
Political scientist Dr. Lada Kochtcheeva visited the main campus of Vance-Granville Community College on April 13 to present a seminar on her native land, entitled “Post-Communist Russia and Its Engagement with Globalization.” VGCC students, instructors and staff were joined in the Civic Center by members of the community to hear the presentation. Kochtcheeva’s presentation was the fifth installment of an International Speakers Series sponsored by the VGCC Global Awareness Committee in partnership with the University of North Carolina’s World View program.
Kochtcheeva, an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University, is a Moscow native who has lived in the United States for the past 13 years. She is currently at work on a book describing Russia’s political, economic, and cultural response to global forces. “I want to know how Russia fits into today’s smaller world,” Kochtcheeva said. “I argue that Russia stands between two ‘camps’ of countries — one camp including ‘senders’ of globalization (mostly Western nations) and the other including ‘receivers’ of globalization (mostly developing countries). Russia is not in either camp.”
Kochtcheeva reminded those in attendance that Russia is a large, complex country, stretching across eleven time zones and including various ethnic groups. Within the nation there have long been conflicting desires to emulate the United States and Europe but also to remain uniquely Russian and not be overly influenced by the West. Kochtcheeva recalled that the first McDonald’s restaurant in Russia opened when she was 14 years old, and proved to be extraordinarily popular. Even though it was similar to its American cousins, the Russian McDonald’s did have unique features, such as the curry sauce it served, indicating that globalization allows for some adaptation to retain each country’s distinctive qualities.
As part of a global democratizing trend, Russia today seems to be on its way to becoming a democracy, the professor said, but most Russians believe that economic development is more important than political reform. “Russia is trying to catch up with other countries in the global economy,” Kochtcheeva said. “Modernization and innovation in the economy is the most important goal of the Russian state today.”
Above: From left, Dr. Lada Kochtcheeva of N.C. State University talks with VGCC Dean of Business and Applied Technologies Bobby Van Brunt at the conclusion of her presentation. (VGCC photo)
