Denis Abramov / Vedomosti

Russian leaders have repeatedly spoken about the need to develop human capital. But the current course toward political confrontation and the cultural and economic isolation of the country leaves little chance for human capital.

Commenting on the scandalous draft Fundamentals of State Cultural Policy, Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky told Kommersant that "the state will invest, invest only in those projects that provide an increase in national cultural and human capital." Let us recall that the draft (it is still being discussed in departments) assumes the protection of traditional values from "foreign" ones on the basis of bureaucratic expertise.

The Russian economy, despite stagnation, remains a raw materials export economy, and realistic medium-term government forecasts are based on this. Such an economy does not create significant demand for human capital in its usual sense. Such constant features of the Russian economy as corruption, nationalization, inconsistency of the rules of the game, low level of competition, low level of legal protection do not promote investment in innovations - i.e. projects with high demand for human knowledge and skills. Our favorite mega-projects do not develop human capital well, because in the process of their selection, development and implementation, competence does not play the main role - loyalty is more important (and closeness to the main person as a result of it).

In general, the government does not particularly care about strategy, constantly trying to solve urgent tactical issues - now these are the next anti-crisis measures, the issues of maintaining new territories and the fight against Western sanctions. Accordingly, investments in the future (synonymous with human capital development) are postponed for this very future.

The politics of the present time is aimed at strengthening spirituality and returning to the past, including territorially. Cultural policy is seen here as an important part of the production of "spiritual bonds" and simply postulates the principles of a certain cultural loyalty: the level is not important, it is important to be in line with official patriotism. One can consider such cultural policy as part of the general collapse of expertise in Russia - also ensured by the authorities, who no longer need high-quality experts, i.e. smart people (also a synonym for human capital).

From the editor: Our yardstick