Gambling on a Nuclear Future

In Belarus, rallies, protests and public gatherings unsanctioned by the government are illegal and dispersed, sometimes violently. As Marples put it, “People are afraid of nuclear plants, but not enough to get arrested over them,”

So, what then? For Belarus, a decision has been made to pursue a nuclear power plant, with money and knowledge it doesn’t have. But with the two countries upping the ante to score points at home, natural gas and oil from Russia are, as Lukashenka stated, more political than economical. Dr. Marples asks the question: “Can Belarus continue to remain dependent on oil and gas if Russia uses them as a political tool to gain more influence over the Belarusian economy. Truly it is a Catch-22 situation.”

[pullquote] A decision has been made to pursue a nuclear power plant, with money and knowledge it doesn’t have.[/pullquote]

Belarus has struggled with a sense of national identity for centuries. It has been dominated by Soviets, Nazis and now, Lukashenka reigns through electoral authoritarianism. A domestic, nuclear energy source may alleviate some issues in Belarus but, as Marples notes, it won’t resolve the fundamental problems in the Belarusian state. “Foreign currency depletion, high inflation, labor outflow and population decline … sale of valuable companies to Russia.” Marples also notes that Russia is also buying up Belarusian companies, from trucking to cell phones to other natural resources.

Time will tell whether or not a nuclear power plant was a game changer for Belarus or results in greater dependence on Russia. As Lukashenka noted, the decision to build may not be “extraordinary” but it is important for the average Belarusian right up to Belarus’ neighbouring countries. With thoughts of the short sightedness and devastating effects of events like Chernobyl, discussion and decisions for nuclear power in Belarus shouldn’t be taken lightly.

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives