The real reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union: inefficency/Cold War/ideology?? (Japanese, slaves)

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

In 2012, the average Ivan is earning more than the average John. Amazing, isn't it?

And how did you calculate that? Lol
DO you know the dirlfference between American and Russian GDP? Look it up, Ivan

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by rebel12

As far as existence of excellent transportation systems in all Russian cities is concerned, well, now you entered science-fiction

How would you know?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by rebel12

And how did you calculate that? Lol
DO you know the dirlfference between American and Russian GDP? Look it up, Ivan

He claims to be an economist. This is the kind of thing the Russian university economics programs churn out. Behold: Exibit A.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by rebel12

Nevertheless to most Europeans Russia is wild wild west inhabited by Mongol hordes, ready to attack and plunder. Europeans still remember who's rockets were aimedbat European cities or who occupied central Europe.
Don't fool yourself, most Europeans wouldn't dare to go to Moscow.

You mean, the wild East, don't you?

And yet, Germany did considerable investment in Russia in the early 2000's, built factories, ran tour groups to all parts of the country (even the Mongol parts), invited Mongol (!) artists to exhibit their work in Germany, and generally behaved like old chums at a reunion. Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

[russiaonline]

Originally Posted by rebel12

Most like the fact that in Russia girls are prettier and much cheaper.

Good luck affording some "cheap" Russian chick

And how did you calculate that? Lol
DO you know the dirlfference between American and Russian GDP? Look it up, Ivan

$1=15 roubles. Check the classifieds for salaries. Much more representative than GDP that measures GDP

[russiaonline]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Aren't you the guy who uploaded umpteen photos of the new bridge in Vladivostok?

There's a difference between building a bridge, demolishing a few buildings, and building a road, demolishing hundreds of buildings, including protected historical ones.

[jtur88]

Back to the title question, the real reason is simply that there was way too much harassment of the Soviet Union from virtually all the industrialized world, which largely took the form of a continuous military threat, far too costly to defend against, which economically bled the USSR dry.

It was like a chess game, which the Americans and allies started after WWII with already a couple of pieces advantage, and in terms of escalating military threats, could force the exchange of costly pieces until the Soviets had nothing left but their king in a corner.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Back to the title question, the real reason is simply that there was way too much harassment of the Soviet Union from virtually all the industrialized world, which largely took the form of a continuous military threat, far too costly to defend against, which economically bled the USSR dry.

It was like a chess game, which the Americans and allies started after WWII with already a couple of pieces advantage, and in terms of escalating military threats, could force the exchange of costly pieces until the Soviets had nothing left but their king in a corner.

This is what the West would like to believe, but the reality is much more complex than that.

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

How would you know?

Travel. Why?

[erasure]

Originally Posted by rebel12

Because you think it is an advantage, forgetting that unlike in Western Europe Soviet Russians could not afford cars. Public transportation was not a choice.... lol

When the gas will hit $6 a gallon, ( and up) we'll start talking about "choices" and what kind of city planning was wiser to begin with.