Boris Yeltsin’s Economic Reforms and Political Struggles Russia’s Move Towards a Free-Market Economy Chechnya’s Struggle for Independence Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Questions About Yeltsin’s Leadership In 1991, the Soviet Union was officially dismantled, and the communist regime there came to an end. Democracy has since been introduced in Russia and other former Soviet republics, and in 1992 the people of the Russian Republic elected Boris Yeltsin–a prodemocracy, procapitalism candidate–as their president. The international community, including the United States, was cautiously optimistic that Yeltsin would be able to revitalize the Russian economy and establish a democratic political system. Since becoming president, Yeltsin has implemented various economic and political reforms, but Russian citizens and members of parliament have varying opinions about whether the actions will have positive effects on the economy and the lives of the people. Currently, the United States is concentrating on maintaining relations with the Russian Republic through ties with Yeltsin, because many experts think that he offers the best chance for democracy in Russia.
Some observers think that this policy may be short-sighted, however, because of Yeltsin?s current lack of political support from his own constituents and his continuing health problems. The recent election of many communists and nationalists to the Russian parliament and the significant support that Yeltsin?s opponents received in the presidential election of 1996 is evidence of the Russian president?s growing unpopularity with the people. In addition, his illness has led to a increasing insecurity about the future of Yeltsin and his reforms. The United States has not openly pursued relations with any members of parliament or other potential leaders. Ultimately, the progression of democratic and economic reform depends on the will of the Russian people and their actions at the ballot box. Some analysts believe that citizens are torn between the desire for democracy, including a free-market economy, and the security of the old communist system. Boris Yeltsin?s Economic Reforms and Political Struggles Russia?s Move Towards a Free-Market Economy. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has been building the framework of a free-market economy almost entirely from scratch.
The Term Paper on Russian Economy in the Late 1990s
The process of economic transformation in Russia has been marked by a prolonged transitional depression and macroeconomic instability: seven years of continuing decline resulted in a cumulative drop of GDP by more than 40% between 1989 and 1996; in that period there were also several outbursts of near- hyperinflation. The first radical effort to tackle inflation was the IMF-supported stabilization ...
President Yeltsin introduced economic “shock therapy”–radical measures to quickly transform Russia?s state-controlled economy into a free-market system. In 1992, price controls were lifted from most goods and essentials, such as energy and food staples. Under communism, the government determined what products were produced and at what price. Under the principles of a free-market economy, supply and demand generally dictate what goods are produced and how much they cost. By lifting price controls, Yeltsin hoped to promote competition among manufacturers and introduce Russia into the international trading community. Yeltsin also implemented an ambitious privatization program to sell state-owned assets to Russian citizens and encourage worker ownership and entrepreneurship. Each Russian citizen received a voucher or, as Yeltsin explained, “a ticket for each of us to a market economy.” Russians could either use these vouchers to bid for stocks in companies or trade them in for cash. When the program ended in July 1994, 70 percent of Russian industry–over 100,000 small businesses and more than 15,000 medium and large companies–was owned by private citizens.
The Term Paper on Russian Model Revolution Russia China
The two totalitarian states that can be most obviously compared in terms of similarities and differences are China and Russia. During the course of this essay I will attempt to compare and contrast the individual contributory factors that led to the setting up of these Communist states. Perhaps the most important similarity between the two revolutions is the ideology, Marxism, on which they ...
Nonetheless, Yeltsin?s program was not entirely successful. Some Communist Party leaders and members of organized crime attempted to bribe or intimidate people to obtain extra vouchers. Furthermore, many of the inefficiencies that existed when industries were government-regulated persisted under the new system. And some of the largest state-owned industries have yet to be privatized because these monopolies are difficult to dismantle. Since the implementation of Yeltsin?s reforms, the Russian economy has been in a state of flux. Many experts argue that this instability is a natural stage in the transition towards a capitalist economy. Over the past five years, domestic production has dropped 41 percent and unemployment has risen 7 percent. Rampant inflation–which has caused prices to rise as much as 2,500 percent–has at times made food and other necessities unaffordable. Statistics show that 20 percent of Russians are now living under the official poverty level. Russian workers complain that even though more goods are available, they can?t afford to buy them. Some Russian citizens long for the days of communism, when they were assured the basics of life such as a job, food, shelter, and health care.
Chechnya?s Struggle for Independence. In December 1994, Yeltsin sent 40,000 Russian troops to suppress a separatist rebel uprising in Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region in Southern Russia. The rebels wanted independence from the Russian central government. Armed with makeshift weapons and government-issued equipment, they clashed with the Russian army. The army?s inability to contain a rebellion led by a group of unorganized guerrilla forces, whose continued successes made international news headlines, became an embarrassment for Yeltsin. President Clinton–usually an ally of the Russian president–criticized the excessive force of Yeltsin?s military actions in Chechnya. Even some of Yeltsin?s supporters in Russia voiced concern. They believed that, although it was important for Russia to keep its republics together, violently suppressing the political aspirations of citizens was contradictory to democratic ideals. And many were worried that Russia was falling apart, just a few years after the rise of democracy. More than 30,000 Chechens, mostly civilians, and some 3,000 Russian soldiers died in the fighting, which lasted for more than sixteen months. Russian security chief Alexander Lebed negotiated a peace agreement with Chechen rebel commanders in September 1996.
The Term Paper on Russian Reform and Economics- The Last Quarter of the 20th Century
Russian Reform and Economics: The Last Quarter of the 20th Century Outline Thesis: As the reformation of the USSR was becoming a reality, Russia's economy was crumbling beneath it. Russia began its economic challenge of perestroika in the 1980's. The Russian people wanted economic security and freedom, while the government was trying to obtain democracy. The previous management styles needed to be ...
The agreement stated that Russian troops would withdraw immediately from Chechnya, under the joint supervision of the two adversaries. A cease-fire was agreed upon and the rebels now control Grozny, the region?s capital. The question of Chechnya?s independence has been deferred for five years. Many Chechens and Russians alike are dissatisfied with the temporary agreement and are still angry about the tragedies of the previous months. While some think that the Chechen claim for independence can be discussed more calmly in five years, others think that the dispute will only continue to fester and may again break out into violence. Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. From the outset of his presidency, Yeltsin had many disagreements with communists and nationalists in the parliament over economic and democratic reforms. But in a democracy, these kinds of disputes are often settled at the ballot box. Russian citizens have had a chance to voice their views of Yeltsin?s reforms in the recent parliamentary and presidential elections. In December 1993, the Russian voters approved a new constitution that gave the president enormous powers. However, the Liberal Democratic Party, led by ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, won more seats than the Reform Party in the new parliament, called the Federal Assembly.
In the 1995 elections, the Communist Party prevailed, winning 157 of 355 seats–enough to make them the strongest party in parliament and a thorn in the side of the reform-minded Yeltsin. The resurgence of this “new communism” and ultranationalism–both with supporters who generally oppose cooperation with the West–was seen by many observers as a sign that the Russian people are growing weary of Yeltsin?s reforms. However, in July 1996, the Russian people reelected Yeltsin in the first presidential election since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Yeltsin was not a shoo-in: In the first round of the elections, he won only a third of the popular vote. The remainder of the votes were divided between various candidates, including the second-place finisher Gennady Zyuganov, the head of the Communist Party, and Alexander Lebed, who as a candidate proposed more moderate economic reforms and tougher laws against crime. Yeltsin and Zyuganov faced one another in a final run-off election; Lebed endorsed Yeltsin. Citizens had to decide between two visions for the future of Russia: whether they wanted the country to become integrated into the international economic community or revert to its past ways of communism.
The Term Paper on Russian System Russia War Government
"Nothing short of war could have any impact of the Russian system of government." How accurate is this of the Tsarist system of government from 1800-1917. The Russian Tsarist system under the Romanov's was extremely resistant to change in all forms. Reforms were brought in only to preserve and little improvement resulted from these reforms. In this essay I will attempt to examine whether or not ...
In the final run-off, Yeltsin won 54 percent of the vote, a decisive majority. Some observers believe that the fact that a run-off election was needed to prove a clear majority demonstrated many citizens? lack of confidence in Yeltsin?s leadership. However, most Russian experts believe that the voters, by choosing Yeltsin over Zyuganov, proved that they wanted to move forward–although cautiously, with more economic reform. Those who supported Lebed and his moderate reform agenda in the first election were instrumental in giving Yeltsin the support he needed to win the run-off. Some observers think that the roots of democracy are becoming firmly established in Russia and point to the fact that 67 percent of the citizens voted in the elections as evidence. Others are still worried about the power which Communists hold in the parliament. Economic Aid. Since 1991, the U.S. government has allocated over $3.65 billion to help Russia move towards a free-market economy. The United States has given grants for food and other essentials such as energy and shelter. It has also donated funds to rebuild Russia?s infrastructure (roads, bridges, and buildings) and invest in private business and industry.
In addition, Congress granted Russia most-favored-nation status to provide added economic assistance. In February 1996, the International Monetary Fund–with strong backing from the United State–approved a $10.2 billion loan to Russia. However, loan funds will be dispensed in installments and only if Russia demonstrates that it is proceeding deliberately toward democratic and economic reform. Questions About Yeltsin?s Leadership. President Clinton has been highly supportive of President Yeltsin?s political and economic reforms. However, critics of this policy believe that the Clinton administration has been short-sighted in its support of Yeltsin, due to the questionable future of his economic reforms, his failing health, and the wavering support of the Russian people. In recent years, controversy has surrounded Yeltsin. In early 1996, he fired many of the officials responsible for some unpopular economic reforms, an act that some think was an attempt to appease the Communists in parliament. Yeltsin is also under increasing pressure to end the economic suffering of the Russian people, which has sent his popularity plummeting and encouraged his political opponents. There is also considerable concern over Yeltsin?s health.
The Term Paper on Boris Yeltsin Gorbachev Ussr Russian
... the Russian economic system and harmonized relations between the Kremlin and the Republics of Russia. Gorbachev ... it you don't notice.' Boris Yeltsin Yeltsin, Boris Nikolayevich, president of Russia, elected shortly before the breakup ... central committee, for it's slow pace of reforms at the plenary meting of the ... Boris has had many meetings with the United States, including ones with George Bush ...
The Russian president has suffered from heart disease, and underwent surgery in November 1996. He has since contracted pneumonia and his recovery has been slow. Some wonder whether he can ever fully recover from the operation and his struggles with alcohol and serve effectively as president. However, there is no clear path for succession if Yeltsin were to die or resign. According to the Russian constitution, if the president dies, the office will be temporarily filled by the prime minister until elections are held within the next three months. If Yeltsin does not complete his term as president, it would create a vacuum in leadership for a country in the midst of political and economic transition. There are many theories abound concerning the direction that Russian reform policy will take if Yeltsin is no longer able to serve as president. Gennady Zyuganov garnered almost a third of the votes in the 1996 presidential election and is still a force in Russian politics. Lebed also proved that he has a wide base of support. Some think that the United States, to prepare for the uncertain future facing Russia, should establish relations with members of parliament and other potential leaders.
Expansion of NATO. One point of growing contention between the United States and Russia is the expansion of NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance originally formed in 1949 to protect its members–the United States and most of western Europe–from the Soviet Union. To be admitted into NATO, a country must demonstrate its military strength, governmental stability, and loyalty to other member nations. The governments of many eastern European nations believe they have demonstrated these qualities by establishing democratic institutions and free-market economies. The eastern European nations are eager to solidify their relationship with the West and are actively pursuing their membership in NATO, despite complaints from the Russian government. Russian officials believe that a formal alliance between eastern European countries and the West would threaten Russia?s national security. Many experts say that if the former eastern bloc countries are allowed to join NATO, Russia must be included as well. However, opponents say that Russia cannot yet be trusted as a Western ally because the Communist Party still has too much influence in the government.
The Essay on United States Russia Russian Country
US and Russia relations after the defeat of the USSR: The end of Cold War brought new challenges to Russian life, economy and politics. Actually, the post-Cold War period opened the new opportunities for Russia. Democracy made its first steps in the country. After seventy years of communism Russian people finally got a chance to live how the want, to say what they want and to do what they want. ...
Although the high voter turnout and the reelection of Yeltsin in 1996 are positive steps towards the continuation of political and economic reform in Russia, some think that democracy?s future in Russia, and therefore the country?s relations with the United States, is uncertain. Some Russians see the positive changes of reform; they enjoy greater freedom of expression and understand the potential for prosperity in a free-market economy. Others, however, long for the certainty of life that they had under communism. Yeltsin is under great pressure to end his country?s staggering economic hardship, and his ability to govern has come under question. The United States is deeply concerned about this unstable situation, because the outcome may determine the future of democracy not only in Russia, but also in the entire region.
