20 Years Since End Of Soviet Union

Today is not only Christmas Day, it is also the twentieth anniversary since the end of the Soviet Union and the lowering of the Soviet flag from the Kremlin. Because any transition is bound to be short-term disruptive for those whp are dependent on a certain system, and because the transition has been mishandeled because of corruption, incompetence and mob rule, it meant a lot of short term hardship for many people in the Soviet Union.

Even so, it was a good thing because it has in the long run meant more freedom. This is evident by the fact that the country that has pursued the most radical reforms, Estonia has performed best, while countries that like Belarus has reformed only very little are both poorer and less free.