9. Study the dialogue on the current state of the Russian economy. Make up your own opinion on the problems raised in the dialogue. Share your ideas with the class.

The public image of the Russian economy is far from optimistic. More than 50% of the Russians rate its current state as "bad", 35% as "satisfactory," and merely 3% as "good." The evaluation of the immediate future of the Russian economy is even more pessimistic.

Discussion of this issue at the focus group sessions demonstrates that the respondents more eagerly speak of economic growth in Russia, but do so very cautiously.

Moderator: What's going on in the Russian economy?

Lena: Little growth.

Oleg: Attempts to make growth.

Maxim: We see the first signs of growth, but it is happening very slowly. There is a decline in unemployment. Demand is growing, I will soon finish the university, and I've already been offered a job in a plant. Two or three years ago, I knew that I would be unemployed. Mikhail: It's raising, but very slowly. Speaking personally, I have more work now, and consequently my salary has grown. It is paid more or less on time.

Moderator: It’s amazing but even the growth in salaries doesn't allow people to speak confidently of a general improvement.

Oleg: One of the signs of economic growth is that more domestic goods are appearing. We feel it.

Lena: Remember: we preferred imported food, but now we don't want it.

Maxim: Beer, so many Russian brands.

Lena: Not only beer, I buy chicken and meat. Isn't it true? Our food is better now.

Moderator: What specifically is interesting for you in the world economy?

Oleg: Everything related to our life: oil prices, because we export it. Lena: Whether the dollar is growing or not.

Maxim: Difficult to say. Things my life depends on – the dollar rate. Because we are tied to the dollar, whatever you say.

Mikhail: I’m interested in Russian imports and the marketability of national enterprises. I think that our country must finally enter the world market. Produce something more important, instead of selling raw materials. That's why it's always interesting to me when I hear about the rate of our arms. It also makes me happier when I hear that some of the recently set up enterprises sustain competition.

Moderator: To what extent do you think the Russian economy is tied with the world economy?

Oleg: Strongly.

Moderator: Along what lines?

Lena: They want to turn our country… We supply raw materials there, lumber, non-ferrous metals, and then get it back, but more expensively.

Maxim: We get it back but not in goods, in food.

Moderator: Any other connections?

Lena: I bought this little scarf and saw it is made in Korea. All Russia wears these scarves, let alone other consumer goods. Why can a little country do it and we can't?

Moderator: Mikhail, and you – do you think that the world economy is connected with the Russian economy?

Mikhail: It is. At the expense of our production. By selling oil, gas and lumber. We sell arms to India, Korea, and have promised to sell to China. We get currency for our country from these deals.

Oleg: The same 'Bush legs' come from America. They get dollars, their industry is working, while our poultry plants are in collapse. That's the economy.

Moderator: It is noteworthy that some of you with a certain point of view see economic growth in the world as unfavorable for Russia, and vice versa. We can state that at least among the most optimistic citizens, there prevails a favorable attitude towards rapprochement with the world economy. As for the pessimists, we should wait for them to change their view regarding at least one of the offered issues.

Thank you for participating in the discussion.