20th Anniversary of the Dissolution of the Soviet Union

On December 8th, 1991 the leaders of three of the fifteen soviet republics (Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine) signed an accord that effectively dissolved the Soviet Union and created a Commonwealth of Independant States in it's place. This event is known as the Belavezha Accords and is still the subject of debate today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belavezha_Accords​

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Soviet_Union​

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Soviet_Union_(1982–1991)​

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The signing took place a few months after a failed coup:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Soviet_coup_d'état_attempt​

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Three of the four founding republics signed the accord, terminating the treaty of 1922 (Treaty on the Creation of the U.S.S.R.):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Creation_of_the_USSR​

 

Wealth and power concentrated in the hands of a ruling elite. Lip service paid to high ideals and the rule of law, which in practice the government habitually and cynically ignored. The militarization of the state in the face of outside threats usually overblown or imaginary. Patriotism used to justify oppression. The glorification of the military and the fact that a massive military establishment constituted the country's major claim to super-power status. A cowed and fearful populace forced to devote pretty much all its energy to obtaining the basics necessary for least a semblance of a decent life. Makes you wonder how the USSR hung in there for so long.

 

I had forgotten I'd even remarked about the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union. Some additional info on why it collapsed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predictions_of_Soviet_collapse

 

Well it's an event worth analyzing. Especially in the context of our own empire. I think that the idea that they had created something that was untenable and that Trotsky had it figured out quite a while ago is to say the least is significant. Militaristic police states simply don't last. Although they cause vast amounts of death suffering and pain during the time they are in operation.

 

Quite a few people here have stated that communism is a failed idea, and my links support that idea. I just felt the need to point that out since I'm being accused of favoring communism... which is untrue. And yeah, it's a historic anniversary that most people appear to have ignored, and I believe it's worth noting.