Figure 1.--. |
|
The Soviet Union was dissolved into 16 independent countries, based on the constiuent republics. These republics have taken very different paths. The largest was of course Russia. The economic and political developments in these countries since independence have varied substantially. The three Baltic republics (Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania) have developed vibrant economies and constitutional democracies and are raidly integratng with the rest of Europe. They are integrating
themselves into western institutions like NATO and the European Community. The situiation in Russia has been very different. Russia the heart and soul of the
Soviet Union is still struggling with democracy, There are still vestages of the old Soviet economic system and President Putin is moving the country toward a the
controlled political system, but the new Russia is evolving into a society very different than Soviet totalitarianism. Putin appears to have concluded that Russia's future is with the West economically, but appears to fear democracy, freedom of the press, and the rule of law. Where Russia is heading is a still largely unanswered question. The situation in Ukraine is not clear. The least successful European state is Belarus with a leader cut out of the old Soviet mold. Belarus is clearly rejecting democracy. The situation in the central Asian republics is also quite varied. The Ukraine's performance has been disappointing. Turkmenistan appears to be evolving into a virtual Stalinist state.
The Soviet Union was dissolved into 16 independent countries, based on the constiuent republics. These republics have taken very different paths. The largest was of course Russia. The economic and political developments in these countries since independence have varied substantially. The three Baltic republics (Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania) have developed vibrant economies and constitutional democracies and are raidly integratng with the rest of Europe. They are integrating
themselves into western institutions like NATO and the European Community. The situiation in Russia has been very different.
Russia the heart and soul of the Soviet Union is still struggling with democracy, There are still vestages of the old Soviet economic system and President Putin is moving the country toward a the controlled political system, but the new Russia has come a long way from Soviet-era totalitarianism. Even with Putin slowly under cutting the development of free enterprise and democracy, the country s evolving into a society very different than Soviet totalitarianism. Putin appears to have concluded that Russia's future is with the West economically, but appears to fear democracy, freedom of the press, and the rule of law. Where Russia is heading is a still largely unanswered question. There are conflicted views about the disolution of the Soviet Union. Many including President Putin see it as a serious mistake. Others miss some of the the social services formerly offered in the Soviet Union. Now that the Government again dominates the mass media, it is difficult to conduct openly conduct an impartial inquiry. A Russian reader discusses modern Russia with us. He points out that there were positive elements to the old Soviet Union to aspects of the Communist regime which he misses in modern Russia.
The Ukraine electrified the wirld as the Orange Revolutin unfolded during the bitter cold weather (January 2005).
The least successful European state is Belarus with a leader cut out of the old Soviet mold. Belarus has clearly rejecting democracy. The country's dictitrial president Alexander Lukashenko has reimposed a Stalinist regime. There is considerable evidence of Belarus cooperation with rouge states. Abid Hamid Mahmud Tikriti, a close associate of Saddam Hussein was arrested in 2003 with a cashe of Belarus passports made out for himself and other ramking Iraqui officials--including Saddam's nortorious sons. Uday Hussein was schuled to visit Belarus in March 2003, but the visit never occurred because of the war.
Belarus was Saddam's most active European ally. The United Nations reports that Belarus was a major violator of the U.N. sanctions program. Belarus assisted the Iraqis with ballistic missle development. This is especially important because of the potential for delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Belarus also provided anti-aircraft systems and technicians. Belarus factories are believed to have sold trucks constructed so as to carry missles. Belarus also sells weapons to other rouge states. Belarus also has provided scantuary to wanted criminals. Russian has great influence in Belarus, but so far President Putin has declined to use it. [Sannikov and Lenzi]
The Democratic movement in Georgia became known as the Rose Revolution.
The situation in the central Asian republics is also quite varied. The Ukraine's performance has been disappointing. Turkmenistan appears to be evolving into a virtual Stalinist state.
Sannikov and Andrei and Mark Lenzi. "Belarus's terrorist ties," The Washington Post June 12, 2004, p. A21. Andrei Sannikov was a deputy-foreign minister of Belarus and now intrnational coordinator of Charter 97. Mark Lenzi is a formerv Peace Corps volunterr anf Fulbright scholar.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site Baltic Pages:
[Estonia]
[Latvia]
[Lithuania]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main Soviet communism page]
[Return to Main specific war and crisis page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]