A reader has directed my attention to this interesting article by Clifford Levy published in The New York Times about a seemingly unnecessary $1 billion bridge – which would be the longest suspension bridge in the world – connecting Vladivostok to the sparsely populated small island of Russki (there is also an interesting video).  Levy focuses the example of the bridge, but the issue really at stake is the Kremlin’s drive to create an Eastern economic identity, preparing to show off some muscle before the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting in 2012 … part of a budget package of some $6 billion being funneled toward this region despite lacking need, population, or significant economic activity.  Kind of a “if you build it, they will come” attitude to the Vladivostok area.

Despite the crush of the economic crisis, with so many Russians watching basic food staples become unaffordable, the state is pouring funds generously in these absurd projects.  One motivation to continue forward with this APEC bridge is obvious – just like in Alaska, the corruption economy surrounding such pork barrel budgets provides many opportunities for leakage (let’s not forget that one prosecutor has said that 1/3 of the state budget, $120 billion per year, is lost to graft).

However, there are other more complex motivations behind the mega-projects, related to certain ideas held in Moscow reflecting nationalism and a nagging inferiority complex.