1990′s: Where Do You Go From Here?
In 1991 Russia, Ukraine and Belarus signed a document that effectively dissolved the Soviet Union and paved the way for its former members towards full independence. On the eve of such grandiose historical event Belarus was rather a successful republic with very high living standards compared to most other republics (Brunat, 2005). While some researchers (Bakanova, 2003) argued that by 1991 Belarus almost exhausted its economic potential due to constrains and flaws of the planned economy, most analysts agree that Belarus was well positioned geographically and strategically to take advantage of future trade between Russia and Western Europe. Its strategic geographical position was further reinforced by developed oil and gas pipeline, refining capabilities (World Bank, 2006) as well as extensive transport networks that included railroads, roads and pipelines (Bakanova, 2003).
gorbachev
Despite a well-developed infrastructure inherited from the Soviet period, couple of serious questions aroused immediately following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For one, the decision whether Belarus should keep closer to Russia or West had to be made (Balmaceda, 2006). Another question was whether the new Belarusian government had skills and mentality for market-oriented economic reforms as opposed to familiar centrally planned system.
For example, some authors doubted that newly created government composed of the old communist guards would be able to fully embrace various reforms (Brzezinski, 1996). In Belarus, the same logic was applicable because Premier Vyacheslav Kebich, who headed the Belarusian government in the early 1990’s, had been affiliated with the Soviet Communist party in the past and never made serious attempts to separate himself from it. And finally, many wondered how would Belarus go about maintaining a social and economic stability considering the fact that transition to market economy would most certainly be painful for many sectors of Belarusian economy (Tiurina, 1994)?
Related posts:
- How do energy politics impact national sovereignty of Belarus? Most Perfect Soviet’ Republic
- How do energy politics impact national sovereignty of Belarus? Introduction.
- How do energy politics impact national sovereignty of Belarus? Situation overview
- How do energy politics impact national sovereignty of Belarus? Geographical position
- Gorbachev Reflects On The Coup
