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

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I never said "every Russian".

You said people had enough money to buy a car... what people? Soviet people?

[russiaonline]

Originally Posted by rebel12

You said people had enough money to buy a car... what people?

"Had enough money" doesn't make much sense, when it comes to cars in USSR.

Up to 500,000 - 1,000,000 a year consumer cars were produced in 1970's - 1980's. Not bad, considering that the country was built to be walkable.

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

"Had enough money" doesn't make much sense, when it comes to cars in USSR.

Up to 500,000 - 1,000,000 a year consumer cars were produced in 1970's - 1980's. Not bad, considering that the country was built to be walkable.

In 300,000,000 country and while many vehicles were exported to other countries of the soviet block?
Cars in Soviet Russia never became a commodity but rather treasured possessions, driven until they would literally fall apart...
Every country in the world is walkable if you are willing to walk 50 miles a day through forests of course

[russiaonline]

Originally Posted by rebel12

In 300,000,000 country

Almost half of which consisted of 3rd world nations...

and while many vehicles were exported to other countries of the soviet block?

True. And to the West also. But I'm not really interested in numbers, because it's all irrelevant really.

Cars in Soviet Russia never became a commodity but rather treasured possessions...

Yep.

Every country in the world is walkable if you are willing to walk 50 miles a day through forests of course

SU was perfectly walkable - with stores, schools, pre-k's, clinics, libraries, (movie)theaters, barbers, etc. etc. etc., all within a few minutes walk. Forests were usually quite a bit less accessible, except for tiny "forests" in some cities that served as parks

[boxus]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

The intention behind the destruction of USSR was to kick poor republics out of rich Russia. Economists cried, but couldn't do anything.

That would be the Central Asian republics that were bleeding the USSR of money; even after the break up, Central Asia wanted to form with Russia a new republic, Russia wisely stated "no thank you".

[boxus]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

SU was perfectly walkable - with stores, schools, pre-k's, clinics, libraries, (movie)theaters, barbers, etc. etc. etc., all within a few minutes walk. Forests were usually quite a bit less accessible, except for tiny "forests" in some cities that served as parks

That is correct, Soviet cities and towns are very walkable, even now days though car centric sprawl has occurred, and cities designed for the lack of cars are scrambling to now accommodate them. I have never needed a car.

[erasure]

Originally Posted by rebel12

In 300,000,000 country and while many vehicles were exported to other countries of the soviet block?
Cars in Soviet Russia never became a commodity but rather treasured possessions, driven until they would literally fall apart...
Every country in the world is walkable if you are willing to walk 50 miles a day through forests of course

OK, let me translate you a bit; what russiaonline MEANT to say, is that unlike the US cities that are built and designed on car dependency with their "downtowns" that are mainly designated for offices and are unlivable + suburban sprawl, the Russian cities ( as actually all European cities,) were built block by block with residential buildings and offices alike in the mix, with grocery stores on every corner and excellent system of public transportation running in each and every corner of the city. You could easily live without a car ( unlike in the US) so a car ( unlike in the US) was not a necessity, but a luxury.
Since the trains were running as well in each and every direction in suburban area, connecting the cities and small towns, again - you didn't need a car to commute there, but still people who'd have a car most likely would have summer houses in the country side aka "dacha."

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

True. And to the West also. But I'm not really interested in numbers, because it's all irrelevant really.

It's not irrelevant, you made a statement that in 70's Russians could afford cars which is not TRUE... Cars were still just a dream for most Russian people...[/quote]

Originally Posted by russiaonline

SU was perfectly walkable - with stores, schools, pre-k's, clinics, libraries, (movie)theaters, barbers, etc. etc. etc., all within a few minutes walk. Forests were usually quite a bit less accessible, except for tiny "forests" in some cities that served as parks

All cities anywhere in the world are generally walkable but you can't claim entire, and quite big, country as walkable
Small town usually have everything close buy but big cities require travel just because it its size...

[erasure]

Originally Posted by rebel12

It's not irrelevant, you made a statement that in 70's Russians could afford cars which is not TRUE... Cars were still just a dream for most Russian people...




All cities anywhere in the world are generally walkable but you can't claim entire, and quite big, country as walkable
Small town usually have everything close buy but big cities require travel just because it its size...

I repeat again - owning a car in Soviet Union was a luxury, where in the US it's a neccesity.

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by erasure

OK, let me translate you a bit; what russiaonline MEANT to say, is that unlike the US cities that are built and designed on car dependency with their "downtowns" that are mainly designated for offices and are unlivable + suburban sprawl, the Russian cities ( as actually all European cities,) were built block by block with residential buildings and offices alike in the mix, with grocery stores on every corner and excellent system of public transportation running in each and every corner of the city. You could easily live without a car ( unlike in the US) so a car ( unlike in the US) was not a necessity, but a luxury.
Since the trains were running as well in each and every direction in suburban area, connecting the cities and small towns, again - you didn't need a car to commute there, but still people who'd have a car most likely would have summer houses in the country side aka "dacha."

I know what you are saying but I have seen most European cities and know that all cities around the world have commercial and cultural centers and residential areas. For example London has the City which has 300 thousand people commuting to every day. Are you saying they all could be walking because London is generally walkable? Are you saying they should all live in the City?
That's nosense. Nobody lives where they work anymore, anywhere in the world.

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