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The Reasons for the fall of
Socialism/Communism and the Troubles of Starting the New Democratic System in
the Russian Federation Let's not talk about Communism. Communism was just an
idea, just pie in the sky. Boris Yeltsin (b. 1931), Russian politician,
president. Remark during a visit to the U.S. Quoted in: Independent (London, 13
Sept. 1989). The fall of the Communist regime in the Soviet Union was more than
a political event. The powerful bond between economics and politics that was the
integral characteristic of the state socialist system created a situation that
was unique for the successor states of the Soviet Union. The Communist regime
was so ingrain in every aspect of Soviet life that the Russian people were left
with little democratic tradition. Russia faces the seemingly impracticable task
of economic liberalization and democratization.
This is combined with the fact
that the new administration must address human rights issues, such as living
conditions and the supply of staple goods in this new form of administration
makes the prospect of a full democratic switch seemingly impossible. To fully
understand the scope of the transference of governing power in the Russian
Federation, one must first look at the old Socialist/Communist regime, to see
the circumstances under which it fell gives a good view of why this transference
is almost impossible. In the beginning Communism seemed to the people of Russia
as a utopian ideal. The promise of the elimination of classes, of guaranteed
employment , The creation of a comprehensive social security and welfare system
for all citizens that would end the misery of workers once and for all. Lenin's
own interpretation of the Marxian critique was that to achieve Communism there
would first have to be a socialist dictatorship to first suppress any dissent or
protest. Through coercive tactics this new government seized power and in 1917
Lenin came to power.
Under his rule the Soviet
Union underwent radical changes in it's economic doctrines adopting a mixed
economy which was termed the New Economic Policy also referred to as NEP, this
economy called for some private ownership of the means of production, but the
majority of industry was made property of the people, which meant the majority
of the means of production was controlled by the government. Lenin's government
made many achievements. It ended a long civil war against the remnants of the
old Czarist military system and established institutions in government. During
this period, and in fact throughout the majority of the Communist rule,
censorship and the subordination of interest groups such as trade unions was
imposed to stop dissension and increase conformity to the new governments
policies. Lenin died in 1924, and was quickly followed by Joseph Stalin as head
of the Soviet Communist Party, the oppressive reforms started by Lenin were
continued and at length became completely totalitarian. Stalin became the most
powerful man in Russia.
He controlled to bulk of all the political power and
with that he started a ruthless campaign of removing all opposition to the
Communist rule. During this period called the Great Purge Stalin systemically
executed anyone who stood in his path. Millions of people were arrested and
either harassed or killed. The economic status of the Soviet Union was yet again
changed and the entire system became controlled by the government. All private
ownership ended. A mass program of industrialization was commenced, and the
strength of the Soviet Military was substantially increased. The citizens during
this period endured great hardship. Agricultural production output diminished
resulting in food shortages, these shortages were enha! nce by the mass
exportation of food, this was done to pay for industrial imports.
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