Contrary to the popular opinion, Andrey Belousov's appointment as a Minister of Defense makes perfect sense. From the Kremlin's perspective, war is primarily about industry & economy. Now Belousov is the central economic & industrial thinker (and planner) in the Russian gov.
https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1551301097951825923
Born into a Soviet Brahmin economist family, Belousov is an exceedingly rare case of an academician making a successful career in the Russian gov. Even more noteworthy, he rose to the position of power through his academic work and publications.
This is unique, ultra rare.
This is unique, ultra rare.
Belousov's career track:
1976-1981 Moscow State University ("economic cybernetics"). Basically, economics, but with the heavy use of then new computers.
1981-1986 Central Economic Mathematical Institute
1986-2006 Instutute of Economic Forecasting
2006-2024 Government
1976-1981 Moscow State University ("economic cybernetics"). Basically, economics, but with the heavy use of then new computers.
1981-1986 Central Economic Mathematical Institute
1986-2006 Instutute of Economic Forecasting
2006-2024 Government
So what do we see? We see an empirical economist, focused on the academic career who jumped into government very late in his life. By the time he left academia and joined the civil service, he was 56.
That's very old
In Russia, you start it in your early 20s (or earlier).
That's very old
In Russia, you start it in your early 20s (or earlier).
Upon joining the government (again, *super* late in his life), his rise was meteoric:
2006 Deputy Minister for Economic Development
2012 Minister for Economic Development
2020 Deputy Prime Minister
In 2020, he briefly acted as the Prime Minister of Russia.
2006 Deputy Minister for Economic Development
2012 Minister for Economic Development
2020 Deputy Prime Minister
In 2020, he briefly acted as the Prime Minister of Russia.
This track is incredible. Contrary to the widespread delusion, Russian gov does not need any "philosophers", nor is it in any particular need of high-brow intellectuals. An intellectual joining the civil service in his grampa age and making it to Kremlin is unthinkable, unique.
Perhaps, Belousov's academic papers may give an answer. Simultaneously with jumping from the academic to government track, he published a book: "Russian Economic Miracle: We Will Do it Ourselves" (2007). Parts of it had been already published as separate articles by that point.
I think I will stop here. Will cover more comprehensively in the newsletter & probably post some more points here.
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