The Soviet Energy Problem
What Policy Choices Will it Require?
ResearchPublished 1980
A synopsis and review of two recent books on energy and its development in the Soviet Union: Leslie Dienes and Theodore Shabad, [The Soviet Energy System], and Robert Lewis, [Science and Industrialization in] [the USSR]. Although the Soviet Union appears to be facing a decline in its oil production and known reserves in West Siberia, the authors of the first volume believe that after a tough decade in the 1980s, the Soviets will be the closest to true energy independence of any industrial power. Current problems are maintenance of export levels to their allies and their own overdependence on oil. The authors discuss the alternatives and decisions facing Soviet leaders. Robert Lewis' brief history of science and technology policy in the 1920s and 1930s shows that although the scale and sophistication of Soviet science and technology have changed since those early days, the basic questions of organizing and managing it have not, and comments on two hypotheses why. Issues in Soviet R&D policy and innovation are further discussed.
Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Year: 1980
- Print Format: Paperback
- Paperback Pages: 9
- Paperback Price: $20.00
- Document Number: P-6514
Citation
RAND Style Manual
Chicago Manual of Style
Gustafson, Thane, The Soviet Energy Problem: What Policy Choices Will it Require? RAND Corporation, P-6514, 1980. As of October 10, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6514.html
Gustafson, Thane, The Soviet Energy Problem: What Policy Choices Will it Require? Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1980. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6514.html. Also available in print form.
This publication is part of the RAND paper series. The paper series was a product of RAND from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.