The Soviet Breakup Essay, Research Paper

When on December 21, 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist and broke into a

fragmented group of independent countries (Byrnes), the world breathed a sigh of

relief. Another horrible communist country had finally seen the light and given way

to the western beliefs of capitalism and democratic government. But was this really the

best thing to happen to an already unstable country? Some say yes, because the socialist

beliefs and oppression are finally gone. Others say no, because even though capitalism

is present, the countries weren t ready for it and have suffered because of it. One thing

is for sure though. The economy of the former U.S.S.R. is on the brink of disaster

with no apparent escape in the near future (Lucas).

The Russian economy has seen a huge decrease in productivity. In the late

1980 s, the per capita income was about $8700 (Byrnes). Compared to the $2,466 of

1997(World in figures), this change is painfully evident. This, some believe, is

ultimately leading to the disintegration of Russia. The government is printing more and

more unbacked money, leading to worthless currency (Lucas). The situation is even

compared to Germany during Hitler s rise. Startling similarities are present.

Hyperinflation is making the currency worthless. Once a great power, the country

feels beaten down, and its weak democracy may soon be crushed by a hybrid of

nationalism and socialism. Is this Russia in the 1990s? Or Germany on the eve of Hitler

taking power? It could be either. (Caryl) This opinion of the impending demise of

Russia is not alone. According to Edward Lucas, 1999 will be the year of Russia s

disintegration. Bill Powell also agrees. With the murder of Galina Starovoitova, one

of Russia s original democrats, he wonders Whether democracy is dead as well.

So, based on these facts, I believe that the former Soviet Union was better off

as the Soviet Union. Unemployment was nonexistent, because every able bodied person

was guaranteed a job. (Byrnes) The socialist government was not a good one on the

perspective of the West, but I do not believe that they were ready for capitalist

economy.

What to do about the current situation is uncertain. But one fact remains:

something has to be done. The west cannot stand by and watch one of the former world

powers die while trying to assimilate to our ways. Beyond the moral aspects lie the

more urgent problem of the possibility of the offshoot countries utilizing their nuclear

weapons to gain power. The thought of an imploding Russia, with nuclear weapons on

the loose and perhaps xenophobic nationalist forces vying for power, is a nightmare for

the West. (Marcus) It is also believed that the Russian people, for the most part, are

longing for the totalitarian past. “The desire for security, for law and order, probably

outweighs the desire for freedom.” (Caryl) So if nothing is done, the totalitarian

government, with its characteristic oppression, will probably take over once again. I

believe that outside economic support is the only way to help stabilize the catastrophic

economy and social structure. Only by giving the impoverished people a way to see

capitalism as a good thing will they be willing to accept it over the traditional ways of

socialism.

Overall, I believe that the Soviet Union was better off as it was before the

breakup. While freedom is a wonderful thing, one must ask: Is it better to starve free

or live a better life with fewer rights? I believe that living is a better choice. But since

the Soviet Union is now free, the West must help to stabilize the countries through

economic support until they can get back on their feet and utilize the new found

freedom. If this is not done, the former Soviet Union will become the Soviet Union

once again, and another vicious cycle of wars and oppression will start again.

Works Cited

Byrnes, Robert F. U.S.S.R Encarta 97 Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Microsoft,

1996

Caryl, Christian. Is this Weimar Russia? U.S. News Online. 11/16/98

Online. Internet. Available: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/981116/16weim.htm

Lucas, Edward. Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. The World In

1999. The Economist Newspaper Limited, 1998. pgs 60-61.

Marcus, Jonathan. Keeping Russia afloat. BBC 17 August 1998. Online.

Internet. Available: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1998/08/98/

russia_crisis/newsid_152000/152621.stm

Powell, Bill. Requiem for Reform. Newsweek Dec 7, 1998: 38-41

The World in Figures: Countries The World In 1999. The Economist

Newspaper Limited, 1998. pg. 74.