the mid 80s in the socio-economic and political life of the Soviet republics were observed crisis.The obvious was hopeless backwardness of the socialist society from the more developed countries of the world.In order to avoid the final collapse and improve the situation in the country, the government of the Soviet Union were conducted economic reforms in 1985-1991.
BACKGROUND reform
In 80 years the economy of the Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse.Across the country, there was a slowdown in its development, and in some sectors of the economy there was a strong decline in production levels.The inefficiency of the socialist economic methods expressive often seen in mechanical engineering, metallurgy, metalworking and other industries.Although in 1985 the USSR produced about 150 thousand tons of steel, which was more than in the United States, the country of the metal is still not enough.The reason for this was the imperfect technology its melting point, at which the majority of the feedstock is converted into chips.The situation is aggravated mismanagement, due to which a ton of metal rusting under the open sky.
economic reforms of the USSR 1985-1991.They were required not only due to problems in heavy industry.In the early 80-ies in the Soviet Union conducted evaluation of machines and machine tools of domestic production.Of all the objects scanned, and they turned out to be about 20 thousand, the third part was declared technically obsolete and unusable.Faulty equipment to be withdrawn from production, but it still continued to produce.
Despite the fact that the Soviet Union paid special attention to the development of the defense industry, it also proved to be uncompetitive in the global market.When the junction of the 70-80s in the whole Western world is microprocessor revolution in the USSR, a lot of money went to the maintenance of the arms race.Because of this, it has not been allocated sufficient funds for the development of science and technology.Soviet society has become more and more to keep up with the west in terms of technological and industrial development.
political and economic reforms 1985-1991 matured also due to the fall in real living standards.Compared with the end of the 60s by 1980 incomes fell by almost 3 times.Soviet people increasingly had to hear the word "deficit".All walks of life hit the red tape and corruption.There was the fall of morality of the common man.
coming to power of Gorbachev
the spring of 1985 became General Secretary of the CPSU Mikhail Gorbachev.Realizing that the economy is on the verge of collapse, he proclaimed a policy of its reform.On television sounded new to the Soviet people, the word "perestroika", the meaning of which is to overcome the stagnation process, establishing an effective and reliable mechanism of control aimed at improving and accelerating the development of social and economic spheres of life.
stage of economic reforms 1985-1991
reform the Soviet economy can be divided into several stages.
- In 1985-1986 the Soviet government headed by Gorbachev tried to save the socialist system by speeding up the pace of scientific and technological revolution (STR), the engineering industry retooling and enhancing human resources.
- In 1987 began economic reform.Its meaning is to maintain centralized management of the transition from administrative to economic methods.
- In 1989-1990, announced a policy of a gradual transition from a socialist to a market economy model.Developed anti-crisis program "500 days".
- In 1991 held a monetary reform.The economic recovery was under breakdown due to inconsistent government action.
Policy
accelerate economic reforms of 1985-1991 began with the proclamation of the policy of accelerating the development of the country.In the fall of 1985, Gorbachev called on business leaders to organize a multi-shift operation, put into practice the socialist competition and innovations, to monitor compliance with labor discipline in production, improve product quality.These actions, according to Moscow, were positively displayed on improving productivity and accelerating the social and economic spheres of life in the entire USSR.Priority role was assigned to the engineering industry, whose products would be used for the conversion of the economy.
Announced M. Gorbachev to accelerate the rate implied a significant increase in economic growth.Until 2000, the Soviet leadership was planning to double the production capacity and the national income of the state, to raise 2.5 times the productivity of labor.
When Gorbachev began an uncompromising struggle with alcoholism.According to the politician and his entourage, anti-alcohol campaign had a positive impact on the strengthening of discipline and improve productivity.In many regions of closed factories for the production of wine and vodka production, ruthlessly cut down vineyards.As a result of this policy the production of alcoholic beverages in the USSR fell 2 times.Because of the elimination of wine and spirits companies in the country suffered multimillion-dollar losses.The lack of money in the state budget has led to a delay of salaries.To make up for the shortfall, the government decided to printing new money.
economic reforms 1985-1991 in the USSR appeared in banning Soviet citizens to profit from the unearned income.For his work on private employment, unauthorized trading and other activities not controlled by the state a person could go to prison for up to 5 years.But it soon became clear that such measures are ineffective, and in November 1986, there was a law allowing the Soviet Union self-employment.
Accelerate the development of machine building led to a reduction in funding for other areas of industry.Because of this, from the free sale began to disappear consumer goods.STR, which is in the process of restructuring to pay special role, and has not received its development.The crisis further weakened the state.By the end of 1986 it became clear that the economy can not be qualitative reform of the conduct of the imperfect state planning system.
Economic transformation 1987-1989
In 1987, Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov took promising for half a year to stabilize the economy.His government has launched a series of reforms aimed at creating a socialist market.From now on, the company transferred to cost accounting, they are given a partial self-government, to expand the scope of their autonomy.Organizations were given the right to co-operate with partners from other countries, and their leaders were not subject to the market any more, nor the officials.They began to appear first cooperatives related to the shadow structures.The result of such a policy for the Soviet Union turned out to be unfavorable: the government ceased to control the economy of the state.The transition to a socialist market became impossible.The economic reforms of 1985-1991 did not bring the expected results.
Further attempts to revive the economy
Finding a way out of the crisis continue.In 1989, Soviet economists Yavlinsky and S. SHatalin developed the program "500 days".Its essence was to transfer to private hands of state enterprises and the country's transition to a market economy.This document does not pay attention to such issues as the reform of the political system of the state, the privatization of real estate, the denationalization of land ownership, the currency reform.Economists had promised that the embodiment of their vision into reality will not affect the financial situation of the population.Approved by the Supreme Soviet program had come into force in October 1990, but she had one major drawback: it is not displayed the interests of the nomenklatura.Because of this, Gorbachev was the last time was chosen another program that could not make the transition to a market economy.
monetary reform and the collapse of the Soviet economy
One of the latest attempts to stabilize the economic situation was the holding of the 1991 monetary reform.Gorbachev planned to help replenish its coffers and stop the depreciation of the ruble.But the reform has led to an uncontrolled rise in prices and reduce the living standards of the people.The discontent of the population has reached the limit.In many regions of the state rolled strike.Everywhere he began to manifest national separatism.
results
Results of economic reforms of 1985-1991 were deplorable.Instead of restoring the national economy the government further exacerbated the situation in the country.None of the planned reforms have not been completed.Destroying the old management structure, the authorities have not been able to create new ones.In these circumstances, the collapse of the vast country was inevitable.
