18.3. The collapse of the world socialist system

Democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe. In the late 80s. in the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe, a wave of democratic revolutions took place, eliminating the monopoly power of the ruling communist parties, replacing it with a democratic form of government. Revolutions unfolded almost simultaneously - in the second half of 1989, but took place in various forms. Thus, in most countries, the change of power occurred by peaceful means (Poland, Hungary, the GDR, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria), but in Romania, as a result of an armed uprising.

Democratic revolutions were a prerequisite for subsequent transformations in the sphere of economic relations. Market relations began to recover everywhere, the process of denationalization was going fast, the national economic structure was changing, private capital began to play an increasing role. These processes continue today, reinforced by the victory of the democratic forces in our country in August 1991.

However, their course is rather tortuous, often inconsistent. If we leave aside the national costs of reform, the failure of the new leadership of each country, the errors associated with a conscious line on the economic disintegration of the former allies of the MSS and CMEA, against the background of integrating Europe, are incomprehensible and difficult to explain. The mutual repulsion of the former partners hardly contributes to a more rapid entry into the new economic and political alliances one by one, and also has little positive effect on the internal reform of each of the former socialist countries.

Chinese policy. After the death of Mao Zedong, his successors faced the task of overcoming the deepest crisis in which the “cultural revolution” plunged the country. He was found on the path of a radical restructuring of the structure of socio-economic relations. In the course of the economic reform initiated in the fall of 1979, it was possible to achieve significant results in economic development. On the basis of the liquidation of the communes and the distribution of land to the peasants, the worker’s interest in the results of labor was restored. The introduction of market relations in the countryside was accompanied by no less radical reforms in industry. The role of state planning and administrative control over production was limited, the creation of cooperative and private enterprises was encouraged, the system of financing, wholesale trade, etc., changed. The directors of state-owned enterprises gained rather wide autonomy in the matter of free disposal of unplanned products, until , issue of shares and loans in order to expand the above-plan production. The system of state and party apparatus, power structures and, above all, the army underwent some reforms. In other words, the easing of the hard totalitarian regime began.

The result of the reforms of the 80s. in the PRC, unprecedented rates of economic growth (12–18% per year), a dramatic improvement in living standards, and new positive phenomena in public life were observed. A distinctive feature of the Chinese reforms was the preservation of the traditional socialist model of governance, which inevitably highlighted the problems of a socio-political and ideological nature in the late 1980s. Today, the Chinese leadership adheres to the concept of building “socialism with Chinese characteristics”, trying, in all likelihood, to avoid the deep social upheavals and conflicts that Russia and other countries have experienced through the former MCC. China is following the path of building market relations, bourgeois liberalization, but with a well-known account of civilizational features and national traditions.

Vietnam. Laos. Mongolia. North Korea. Like the Chinese way of reforming the economy and social life go to Vietnam and Laos. Modernization has already brought some positive results, but less tangible than in China. Perhaps this is due to their later entry into the strip of market reforms, a lower initial level, a heavy legacy of a long military policy. Mongolia is no exception. Following in the wake of market reforms, the liberalization of public relations, it not only actively attracts foreign capital, but also actively revives national traditions.

North Korea remains a completely stationary, unreformable country from the former socialist camp. Here, the system remains essentially the personal dictates of the clan Kim Il Sung. Obviously, this country will not be able to long be in a state of practical self-isolation and even confrontation with most states of the world.

Cuba. The situation is still quite complicated in another country of the former MCC-Cuba. In the short history of socialism, this island nation in general terms repeated the path traveled by most of the MLS countries. Having lost their support, its leadership continues to adhere to the concept of building socialism, remains loyal to Marxist ideals, while the country is experiencing increasing economic and social difficulties. The position of Cuba is also aggravated by the ongoing confrontation with the powerful US since the liberation revolution.

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As a result of the collapse of the world socialist system, a line has been drawn under the more than 40-year totalitarian period in the history of most countries of Eastern Europe. Has undergone significant changes in the balance of power not only in the European continent, but also in Asia. In all likelihood, the bloc system of relations on the world stage is going into oblivion.

However, a relatively long period of coexistence of countries within the framework of the MLS, in our opinion, cannot pass without a trace. Obviously, in the future, it is inevitable to establish relations between former allies, and often close neighbors, having common geographic boundaries, but on the basis of a new balance of interests, an indispensable consideration of national, civilizational specifics and mutual benefit.

Questions for self-test

1. 1. When the world socialist system was formed, what were the main stages in its development?

2. 2. What factors caused the slowdown in the economic growth of the socialist countries in the 70s? What caused the intensification of the contradictions between them?

3. 3. What features can you name in the socio-economic development of countries that were part of the world socialist system at the present stage?