The New Cold War: Consequences for Russian Society

This report discusses the consequences of the unfolding and deepening crisis in relations between Russia and Western countries, in particular with the United States of America. The author characterizes this period as a Cold War 2.0. There are some similarities and some differences between the new Cold War and the initial stage of tensions between the two countries in the 20th century. The differences include the absence of ideological conflict and the global rivalry of the two socio-economic systems. The specificity of the new Cold War consists in a sharp aggravation of propaganda, the resumption of economic war, and the practical absence of normal diplomatic contacts between the United States and its allies with the Russian Federation, as well as a renewed arms race. The author expresses particular concern about the situation in the field of arms control where the supporting pillars of the system, on which Russia and the United States had been working for half a century, continue to collapse one by one. The threat of nuclear war is becoming increasingly real. Special attention is paid to the correlation of the costs that Russia incurs in the military sphere in connection with the aggravated crisis in relations with Western countries and the spending on social development. Their correlation is presented in terms of macroeconomic indicators, data from sociological surveys, and expert assessments and indicates Russia's lagging behind leading countries and its overstrain. The author comes to the conclusion that the new Cold War is leading to an increase in international tension and is strengthening long-term negative trends in the economic and social sphere of Russia.