Mark Buckalew
Discussion Questions
Which of these factors best explains the collapse of communism?
The second factor, the unprecedented global economic growth seems to be the best factor in
explaining the collapse of communism. Living standards increased, as well as the increased
global wealth lead to a striation of people in communistic countries. These striations were felt
most economically with people seeking their own personal gains, rather than the communal
good.
Furthermore, we see that snowballing has an important effect. With the American
democratization model, we see places like Eastern Europe becoming more democratized and the
snowballing effect occurs. We have countries following suit with their neighbors as they see
higher qualities of living. This ultimately causes Soviet Russian’s control over these countries to
be demolished, the major factor in stopping democratization.
What does this tell us about the collapse of communism in all cases except Romania? And,
why was the collapse violent in Romania?
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- Spring '08
- SCHEINER
- Economics, Government, Communism, Democracy, Precedent, Romania
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