Comparative Analysis of how Foreign Trade Affects Levels of Inequality between Rich and Poor: the Cases of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since 2000

Student: Rogova Anna

Faculty: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Educational Programme: Double degree programme in International Relations of the NRU HSE and the University of London (Bachelor)

Year of Graduation: 2021

The work explores the correlation between foreign trade and levels of inequality within three post-soviet countries namely Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. The primary data used regarding foreign trade is main export/import, main industries, economic index e.t.c. The primary data used regarding inequality is regional division, wage, GDP PPP, GINI index, unemployment and poverty levels. The paper combines the comparison/finding similarities of inequality situation in the three post-soviet countries and the separate analysis of them, including the analysis of the role WTO plays. Both the macroeconomic effect of foreign trade on levels of inequality and the other reasons that may affect inequality are discussed. Based on the data research it was outlined, that foreign trade alone, no matter if the country is a part of WTO or not, does not provide a sufficient amount of inequality or poverty reduction. Keywords: Foreign trade, inequality, the gap between rich and poor, poverty, GINI index, trade, globalisation, regional economy, economic development, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, WTO, post-soviet.

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