There was also an opportunity cost to the availability of such goods. There was an explosion of American companies selling American products and to an unwelcome public. It was difficult for the Russian people to accept quickly. Their pace of life was not the same as America's and yet they were expected to adjust very quickly. The economic reform took a down turn when the Russian people did not catch onto a lot of these American products. As a result consumer spending went down and many companies failed in their ventures. Another factor to this failure is found in the quick need for the new Russia to do away with the old Russia' state owned companies by introducing privatization. This concept was hard for the Russian businessperson to grasp. "For both cultural and ideological reasons, the attitude toward private business in the Soviet Union could hardly be described as friendly" (Goodman, 17). They were not receptive to change and if anything hostile toward outside investment. This factor did not aid in the market opening up to the West at a great pace.
Overnight the Russian market and economy was expected to leap onto the global scene. However, this did not happen because "its economy was much less developed and therefore self-contained" (Goldman, 16). This uncertain time created an atmosphere of distrust and resulted in "the annual doubling of the crime rate, even the advent of kidnapping and this reflects the seedy side of life that accompanied the reform process" (Goldman, 4). This made the Russian people even more resistant to change and embracing of democracy. Still the irony is that as a result of the market opening up, they claimed additional civil liberalities. This in turn created a better social environment for them to grow into over time. By being able to voice their opinions finally is a step towards change in social reform. Still it has been documented that in order to be successful economically and socially, both ideals need to work together. In Russia's case, the...
As a result more change was to come for the country and its people. It was not be choice, however, but because of the society's reaction to change, reform was needed for the public's protection.
Conclusion
In closing, Tad Szulc writes, "humanity is at a crossroads. The World War and Cold War in all its manifestation are behind us. New political and economic solutions are required and beginning to emerge" (494). This statement can be true of both Germany and Russia. In order for these countries to survive economically and socially change must be embraced by its people and culture. There are many similarities and differences between the two countries regarding their transition into the democratic way of life. It is clear that Germany has been very successful and emerged as a world power. This result is in part because of Germany's reconstruction after the Second World War and its open attitude to freedom. On the other hand, Russia does not have much experience as a free nation and too much expectation caused their economy to fail. It is partially due to cultural differences but also Russia suffered from too much of the outside too fast. With time as with Germany, Russia will find its way back to being a global leader.
Works Cited
Dornberg, John. The New Germans: Thirty Years After. New York: MacMillan
Publishing Co., 1976.
Goldman, Marshall I. Lost Opportunity: Why Economic Reforms in Russia Have
Not Worked. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1994.
Simons, Thomas W. Jr. The End of the Cold War? New York: St. Martin's Press,
Solsten, Eric, ed. Germany: a Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1996.
Szulc, Tad. Then and Now: How the World Has Changed Since WWII. New York:
New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1990.
