10 Ways Life in America is Better than in Russia

This about *default, tagged , , was written by for on December 28, 2017 .273 Comments

Last week, I wrote about the 10 ways in which life in Russia is better than America. Now it’s time for Uncle Sam to have his due.   Typical Moscow sleeper suburb. Higher Living Standards Although Russian prices are 2x cheaper than America’s, the blunt fact is that wages are also 4x-5x lower. Consequently, the […]

10 Ways Life in Russia is Better than in America

This about *default, tagged , , was written by for on December 22, 2017 .449 Comments

It has now been exactly a year since I returned to Russia. One of the questions I get asked the most from Russians and foreigners alike is whether I enjoy living here, or whether I am disappointed. My answer is that it fell within my “range of expectations”. I like to think that this is a function […]

Conclusion: Comparison of USA, UK, Russia

This about Society, tagged , , , , , was written by for , on April 13, 2011 .16 Comments

As my series comparing life in Russia, Britain, and the US draws to an end, I rank them based on my own preferences – with the caveat that the perceptions of people of different temperaments, character, and socio-economic status may differ radically. Then I finish off with a brief overview of the main trends in […]

National Comparisons: Politics & Media

This about Politics, tagged , , , , was written by for , on April 13, 2011 .5 Comments

In the fourth part of my series comparing Russia, Britain, and the US, I turn my attention to aspects of their politics, including: markets and freedom; media independence; the role of “dissident” voices, billionaires, and corruption; and Internet culture. Some people – perhaps Kremlinologists in particular – will no doubt be surprised by my conclusion […]

National Comparisons: Everyday Life

This about Society, tagged , , , , , , was written by for , on April 11, 2011 .13 Comments

In this third part of my series on national comparisons between Britain, Russia, and the US, I look at the social institutions and infrastructure that play such a big role in our everyday lives. Why is Russia’s life expectancy ten years lower than in the US? What are the most popular university subjects? Where do […]

National Comparisons: The People

This about Society, tagged , , , , , , , , was written by for , on April 8, 2011 .39 Comments

The second part of my series comparing Russia, Britain, and the US focuses on the people themselves. What are their strengths and foibles? How do they vary by class, region, race, and religion? How do they view each other and other countries and peoples? What do they eat, drink, and watch? Where do they travel […]

National Comparisons: Freedom And Security

This about Society, tagged , , , , , , , was written by for , on April 5, 2011 .15 Comments

In the first part of my series comparing Russia, Britain and the US, I am going to look at their levels of social freedoms. While political scientists go on about to what extent a country has “democracy” or “rule of law”, this ignores that these arcane concepts have practically zero relevance to the everyday lives […]

Introduction: Comparison of USA, UK, Russia

This about Society, tagged , , , , was written by for , on April 5, 2011 .1 Comment

Over at Mark Chapman’s indispensable blog, Giuseppe Flavio linked to a fascinating “Comparison USA-Germany” by an academic who was deeply immersed in both cultures. This inspired me to do something similar. My credentials? Having lived for 6 years in Russia, 12 years in the UK, and 5 years in the US (in that order, though I […]