Did Excessive Military Spending and Corrupt Politicians Lead to the Superpower USSR downfall?

Question

Can you think of any other superpowers that might be in danger by following this model?

Answer 1

The second big hike in oil prices (the first was in 1973) came too late to save it.

But there were other signs of internal instability: Chernobyl, other environmental disasters, problems with new technology (communications, computerization), misuse of resources, probably bad investment decisions and plant depreciation.

Some of these illnesses are seen in the corporate world too -- leading to bankruptcies; and in local government. Arrogance and greed and waste are endemic in socialism but scarcely unknown in the West. Think of (Red) Ken Livingston. And George W. Bush. In the sense that the latter two have refused to take advice, and got or will get their comeuppance: Ken in his Olympic madness and his £25 congestion charge; George in his Iraqi war and his depletion of the Treasury, indebtedness to China and incipient weakness of hte currency.

No country or city is immune to implosion, even if it's not on the scale of the collapse of the Soviet empire.

Answer 2

You simplify the issue. The USSR was spread too thin by trying to prop up third world countries and promote communism. Look at Cuba, if it hadn't been for USSR, Castro would have failed a very long time ago.

They sold off most of their military technology to fund other projects and finally, had to admit their system didn't work.

The US, while we do play world policeman, are not no where near what the old USSR was at. And don't ever count them out cause they are still a very formidable force.

Answer 3

Go back to economics 1-A.... There is a definite ratio between government spending and gross national product that can not historically be exceeded. The USSR exceeded it. Unfortunately the U.S is now rapidly approaching that same economic point of no return.

Ask yourself: How much warning did the general public in the USSR get that their cradle to grave utopia was ending... tomorrow?

Answer 4

The USSR failed because communism as an ideology sucked the life out of its citizens. The tank ran out of gas. When you imprison a people for so long then you slowly take away any reason for them to contribute anything towards society. I think another factor is the fact that the USSR was so big. Too much for one centralized government to do. Again they ran out of steam. People didn't believe in it anymore.

Answer 5

Yes, one of the reasons for the demise of the former Soviet Union was its crushing military expenditures. And yes it is possible that the US could also have budgetary problems from having too big a military. However, we have more safeguards against that happening than did the Soviets.

Nonetheless, we spend too much money on the military - some like half a trillion dollars annually!

Answer 6

The form of corrupt politicians is surprising. i actual think of this query ought to, probable, take days to examine... to be precise. even with the indisputable fact that, my intestine is going with W & cronies. he's a terrorist - undeniable and easy. Are there different political leaders who're terrorist? of direction. W in simple terms occurs to be from the main helpful united states of america in the international. and that's a great form of ability. Which he has appreciably mishandled. He has grew to become his returned no longer purely on the interest of his own united states of america, yet of world hobbies. He has snuffed the UN, discarded any thought to uphold international regulations such by way of fact the Geneva convention, and is protecting people without the splendid to communicate to an lawyer. we could no longer overlook NSA. Spying without a warrant. On absolutely everyone he feels he has the splendid to. i might say that trumps Watergate.

Answer 7

Oil killed the USSR. The price of oil dropped by 50% in the 1980s (just as Reagan got into office) and that drop in price destroyed the USSR economy (they couldn't keep up their military). They couldn't afford to continue the Cold War so they had to give it up. Oil keeps dictatorships, theocracies, & socialist afloat but if the price drops sharply they will eventually fold.

Answer 8

not only that, but trying to make a Communist government work under those conditions led to its downfall, but i really cannot see any countries that are on the brink of a downfall unless they are going to be helped along by the U.S. or another country.

Answer 9

The USSR went down FINALLY because their economy was a shambles...so yes.
Luckily, we are very strong economically...and doing quite well lately. I don't think it parallels what your looking for though.

Answer 10

Big difference there buster........The USSR fell because communism doesn't work. And America will never come to that, unless we keep electing democrats, and the liberal left has their way.....