Why Our World Is: Russia
By: Abhijay Bhosale
The second country in this series is Russia. Oftentimes paired up with everything anti-western (American, British, French, capitalist), at the height of WW2, the west and USSR, which the Russian government commanded. But after WW2, the countries started rapidly growing farther apart. Economically and politically, the divide spread throughout the world. Let's see what happened.
Capitalism VS Communism and the Cold War Summary
Although still it's still ind debate whether capitalism or communism is a better economic system, one thing is for sure: Capitalism was better executed than capitalism. It became especially apparent in Berlin, which at the time was split between the western countries and the USSR. The difference was major. While the capitalist side had booming business, tall buildings, and good infrastructure, the Soviet side looked drab and utilitarian. Perhaps the reason for such a difference was the principles of each economic system. Capitalism was complex that divided the rich and poor, but it also allowed room for movement as it was natural to try and become rich in capitalism. That's what lead to all the opportunity and room for growth. Meanwhile in communism, the system was aimed at keeping everyone at the same level. It would launch everyone into an equal position of power, but then it turns into a deadlocked place, where everyone can work however much they want but will be stuck at the same level and be commanded by the government. Everyone is equal, but the level the equality is at usually not worth staying. But why capitalist and communist countries such rivals then? It has to do with business. Because business is mostly private in capitalist countries, when a country becomes communist, it makes the citizens of capitalist countries lose business. But on the flip side, because business is mostly government controlled in communist countries, when a country becomes communist, it makes the governments of communist countries lose business. An effect of this is how a communist country acts. Because the government controls everything in communist countries, when interests aren't met, a country can very easily go to war, and the public usually just stands by. Any outliers are easily taken care of because everyone is under the absolute power of the government. This causes capitalist countries become swayed by their citizens, and then governments usually give in to protect interests. And then this goes back to communist country citizens to wonder why capitalist countries are "fighting them for no apparent reason." This causes more anger and hateful feelings, which fuels war, and the cycle repeats and snowballs. And that's what happened. That happened throughout the cold war, and even proxy wars. Eventually, citizens on both sides gave out when USSR countries broke apart and US citizens got tired of the proxy war in Vietnam and abandoned the Vietnamese. All the work that happened after WW2 was undone for the USSR.
Why Does Russia Invade?
While it seems like a relatively easy question, it has many layers, and can only be narrowed down to 2 main theories (in my opinion).
One: To stop the spread of NATO. This might seem like a given, but it's not necessarily that Russia hates the alliance, it's the fact that Russia already has a path: a path that won't intersect until major changes are made in the world as a whole. All Russia needs in a buffer zone/a room for growth. If NATO closes that, Russia is stuck in its already unstable state. That's why Russia invaded Ukraine when word got out Ukraine was going to join NATO. Russia's getting suffocated.
Two: Another, little bit more speculative theory, is to keep Putin in power. He had a military victory in Crimea, and perhaps to solidify his place in Russia, he could start another war. This tactic's been over the centuries. Start a war to distract the public. Ukraine becoming Russian means all of Russia is rejoices and basks in their victory. It'll give them well needed victory and patriotism. It'll bring the country together under Putin.
Present Day
Russia itself is a very controversial country on the side shown to the west. It mainly shows its influence through its military. The country holds together almost all of the communist hotspots around the world and is definitely a country that is yet to be deciphered from its core.
Looking at the Russia Ukraine war, it can't be helped but to think about the consequences. Although the war is not over at the time of writing, no matter what happens, Russia will grow farther apart from NATO as NATO starts to realize its independency from Europe. Major oil pipelines were cut off to Europe at the beginning of the war, and then after one of the coldest winters in Europe's history, they still managed to pull through. It showed the world how Russia isn't a country that needs to be ingrained no matter what. Whether Europe will become self sufficient, rely on the US, or continue buying oil from India, Russia won't be reaching its full potential with its oil and natural gas sales.
Russia also has great military might. Although their poor maintenance and unskilled armies are causing them trouble in Ukraine, Russia has many strong engineers and technologies. But what would be good to always cultivate, full government control means that they can't support every idea that will benefit the people. Another con of communism through its poor execution.
In summary, Russia is a country that, in the end, has a lot going for it. Russia is an amazing country, it just so happens its fallen into Putin's hands: the hands of an ex-KGB agent that was trained to be manipulative. Still trying to cling on to the glory of its reign as the USSR, Russia's a country that struggling due to its loss of land and people. Despite its large size that always looks intimating on a map, it's desolate eastern side past the Ural mountains serves as a weakness due to its vulnerability. With a government trying to look out for its people but having to serve the needs of the few to keep Putin in charge, it's a country that's miraculously hasn't imploded yet. Future years will tell if Russia will change at all or remain in its current state (at least until Putin dies).
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There are things that could show Russia's impact even further, but those will better be shown in other parts of the series.
Russia's involvement in the Korean War will be shown in the Korean Peninsula Edition
Russia's involvement in the Middle East will be shown in the Middle East Edition
Russia's involvement in the China will be shown in the China Edition
Russia's involvement in Germany will be shown in the Germany Edition
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