Question

”The Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War. However, in no time, the Soviet system became bureaucratic and authoritarian making life difficult for its citizens.” Do you agree with the given statement? Give arguments to prove your answer.

Answer 1

The Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War but very soon the system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian. I do agree with the given statement. Arguments in favor of the given statement are as follows:

1. The Soviet economy after the Second World War was more developed than the rest of the world except for the US. It had a complex communication network and vast energy resources. The soviet state ensured a minimum standard of living for all citizens and the government subsidized basic necessities including health, education, healthcare, and other welfare schemes. The Soviet system however became very bureaucratic and authoritarian making life very difficult for its citizens.
2. Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech stifled people who often expressed their dissent in jokes and cartoons.
3. Most of the institutions of the Soviet state needed reform; the one-party system represented by the Soviet party of the Soviet Union had tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people. The party refused to recognize the urgency of the people in the 15 different republics that formed the Soviet Union to manage their own affairs including their cultural affairs.
4. Although on paper Russia was only one of the 15 republics that together constituted the USSR, in reality, Russia dominated everything and people from other regions felt neglected and often suppressed. Thus, we can say that indeed the Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War but very soon the system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian.