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Problems Resulting From The Fall Of Communism

Essay, Research Paper


The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and in The Soviet


Union has presented an array of new opportunities but also problems


for much of this region. Although, with this collapse the opportunity


arises to establish a democratic government and a market economy


exists, the process has shown to be a slow one. With the attempt to


restore civil liberties and the hope of enjoying the standard of living


similar to that of Western Europe, communist parties are still in


existence (under new names and titles), and Eastern Europe is still


struggling to become free both economically and politically.


The problems facing Eastern Europe and The Soviet Union are


both political and economic. First, economically this region is falling


apart. Unemployment is widespread and most of the plants and


factories run by the communists are gone. As a result of being poor


and unemployed, hundreds of thousands of people have migrated


from Eastern to Western Europe in hopes of finding work. This has


led to much resentment, especially from countries such as Germany.


Outbreaks of opposition and physical violence have erupted leading to


increased ethnic tension. In turn, immigration is being restricted in


many of the Western countries.


In addition to the economic troubles, there is an environmental


effect. Many of the closed down plants and factories are so polluting


that they have left many areas virtually unlivable. This pollution has


left the former communist nations with some of the worst


environmental problems in the world. This has in turn contributed to


the immigration problem.


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The nations of Western Europe, facing high costs themselves


related to the collapse of communism, are hesitant to send any relief


funds to the East. This is especially true in Germany, where costs of


their own unification have been very high. East Germany and West


Germany are still at odds over state aid that has been mostly directed


to the East. Other parts of Europe, being in an economic slump


themselves lack the resources to aid Eastern Europeans. A fear that


Eastern Europe?s economic difficulties could negatively affect their


own economy, has also led to a fear of economic integration.


Political challenges are also a major problem resulting from the


collapse of communism. Civil war continues to be seen in Yugoslavia


and ethnic violence occurs daily. The Czechs and the Slovaks divided


Czechoslovakia into two separate nations in 1993. The liberty and


freedom offered by the end of a communist government has tended to


be mostly for the pursuit of personal ethnic goals which in turn has


led to tur

moil. After World War II, West Germany and Austria


developed strong democratic governments but because of strong


communist histories, other nations have not followed suit. They


continue to resist a democracy, settling instead as distinct political


units. They do not realize that with disorder, economic stagnation


and ethnic competition, a democracy cannot be successful.


The collapse of European communism has had other


implications as well. It has put a halt to the development of European


socialism. After the 1870?s, Marxism dominated Europe. The


Bolshevik victory validated it and the policies of Lenin and Stalin


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extended the ideas all throughout Europe. Now, with communism


over, the economic and political socialist policies and ideas have


collapsed. As a result, Marxism and socialism in general has basically


been discredited. It has been and will be very difficult for these


former communist nations, after being under a socialist premise for so


long, to realize the benefits of markets, economic decentralization and


political democracy.


In addition, the fall of communism has profoundly altered


international relations with Europe. With the Warsaw Pact gone,


NATO is in need of reform. NATO, with the primary function to deter


Soviet attack on Western Europe, has now become outdated. Many


believe it should be kept alive to prevent international disorder but it


has failed to play an effective role in Yugoslavia. This has left doubts


as to its effectiveness to aid in problems that occur in Europe. There


is also the problem with Russia?s disapproval regarding the expansion


of NATO. Many Eastern European nations now want to be a part of


NATO for future protection but because of Russia?s strong disapproval


for the expansion, this must be done slowly and carefully.


In conclusion, the collapse of communism has presented


opportunity but also disarray in much of Europe. Governmental and


economic tension continue to plague this region. The process of


political and economic turn around is proving to be a very long, slow


process. However, it would be a clear mistake to only discuss the fall


of communism in terms of economic stagnation and consumer strife.


The Eastern Europeans now have a chance for the civil liberties that


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we take for granted everyday. Hopefully, the problems presenting


today in this nation will slowly begin to turn around. Then, they too


can enjoy the king of lifestyle and opportunities that our democracy


has established. The fact that an end has come to communism is a


hopeful and unbelievable occurrence. One that could in fact take us


one step closer to world peace.

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