Was Russia and her citizens better off under the Soviet regime than now?

Question

Just seems to me that while political freedom was not tolerated, people at least still had some stability in their lives. Was capitialism a huge culture shock?

Answer 1

Well, I think you should ask Russians this, because we can only give opinions based upon our frames of reference. Assuming that, I would say that the average Russian, not high enough or vocal enough to threaten anyone might have been better off in some respects, and I agree their lives seemed more stable. As proof of this I cite documentaries I have seen where some Russians wish to return to the old ways, when their futures, if austere, seemed more secure, and Russia (the USSR, anyway) was a dominant world power that brought them pride.

However, there were few consumer goods, and those there were, were usually reserved for party members; one might stand in line for hours to buy bread or soap and wait five years for a car, if one could afford one. And, based on the writings of the dissidents, the more aware and intelligent one was, the more one suffered. It always seemed to me that they had traded one serfdom for another, and possibly a worse one. Also I have read that the crime rate in Russia has really escalated with fewer restraints and political attention to the problem.

Conversely, the younger generation seem to appreciate the increased access to the outer world and the availability of more consumer goods, and evince no desire for the old days, so who knows. There do seem to be an awful lot of Russian women seeking to be someones bride anywhere but Russia.

Answer 2

I'm not sure. They seem to be heading toward some kind of a near-dictatorship, because Putin is not exactly democratic. The murder of those spies in Britain isn't exactly kosher when it comes to a democratic government.

Their venture into capitalism was a disaster, because the huge corporations swarmed in, trying to make a fast buck, with little left over for the common folk.

I think Russia is struggling to discover just what it is and what it will be. It was a big mistake to get involved in the Afghan War, because it brought about financial ruin. I just hope the same thing doesn't happen to us with Iraq, but it seems to be heading that way.

Someday, Russia will resume its place as a powerful nation, but right now, it seems to be floundering, both economically and ideologically.

Answer 3

From what I understand, NO! At least they can decide for themselves instead of the state telling you what to do. They have more freedom, can travel, choose what they want. Unfortunately President Putin is bring so of the old stuff back. Just like the other day I saw the Russians planting a flag calming part of the arctic. They are back to their old tricks. If thats the case yhe US owns the moon! Dumb stuff like that will start a war.

Answer 4

The transition to capitalism without first building the institutions that allow free markets to function efficiently lead to wide spread corruption and was devastating to the well being of the average Russian. There was a sharp drop in life expectancy for Russian males, from sixty-five years in 1987 to fifty-seven in 1994. (Life expectancy for females reached a peak of 74.5 years in 1989, then dropped to 71.1 by 1994.) Things seem to be getting better now, but the transition was handled badly.

Answer 5

So....it was real shock....you know,when you have money,job and etc,but with out food in shops is problem,you must fight with people just for buying meat or stay and wait for 10 hours in shop,so after revolution and destroy of Russia,people get a lot of food in shops,but salary became low,prices high,you see all of this,but cant buy,Russia got capitalism
So in the end of 1990-th russian society won crisis,but only now life became better and you can say now life is better then 20 years ago,but enough you want to live may be just few days,but in USSR,hich was like mother which born you and after catastroph she became invalid,but now Russia became better and better and those days of poor life gone,so from day to day life is better,but we lost something with out what we cant live,its in our soul,we got freedom,even more freedom then in american society,i meant in rights and laws,so but again in USSR was good and bad,but enough we more remember it from good side....

Answer 6

It is a hard question...I believe every Russians have their own statement to make for this...but it seems Russia is getting better fast under the leadership of Putin

Answer 7

no they werent better,cause soviet regime didnt recongnize the freedom of the word of prees and many other rights of the persons,the soviet regime didnt recongized the privat owns and they never apply forms of capitalism ,everyone worked to much for the rebuilding of the country (after the second war)and no one was recompesed as they deserved,they lived in the conditions of dictature cause no saying and not complaining for many things that werent good for them or were wrong,
even today freedom of the word isnt enough and forms of capitalism arent practice as they should be pratice,bye