Russia’s GDP is less than that of Texas.
Yeah, it could be better. But see the attached picture, it might help with a perspective.
Another thing. When Soviet Union disintegrated, Ukraine and Russia were peers in many respects. In fact, Ukraine had better starting position: better climate, better roads, better industrial mix, better warm ports, better access to European markets. The GDP per capita was somewhat better in Ukraine. Fast-forward 25 years, and an average Ukrainian is 3 times (THREE TIMES) poorer than an average Russian. Looking at the results, you would never believe which country is a democracy and a friend of the West, and which country is a cleptocracy run by a tinpot dictator. Don't think that people living there fail to notice the disparity.
Russia produces fewer patents than Microsoft.
Some would say that's a good thing, because patents never did anything good for the innovation, and therefore all they do is imposing a burden of the wealth transfer upon the economy. Patents have this feel-good myth about them, they
feel just by supposedly helping the inventor. Research says otherwise.
Add to it how bogus most of USPTO criteria are, especially in software (where Microsoft operates, coincidentally), and you see some rather nonsensial numbers of patents granted. Again, the research seem to indicate that the only field where patents are anywhere near sensible in America is drugs. Even that accomplishment is getting pushed back by the advancements in genomics - there was a rush to patent every ******n gene of ever living thing, which is absolutely insane.
That said, of course Russia lags in research - both fundamental and application. Not just the number of patents, but the citation indexes and Nobel captures are poor and aren't improving. It's just that patents are evil and is a lie we're telling ourselves.
