DBWI: USSR Collapses in 1991-92

Dorozhand

Banned
The fall of the Soviet-aligned states in Eastern Europe and subsequent secession of Ukraine, the Baltics, Moldavia, and Georgia following the fall of the Berlin Wall created a volatile political environment in which it was feared by some that the whole union might be dissolved. What if it had? How would the 90s have progressed if the USSR had collapsed utterly into its constituent entities rather than continue in truncated form? What might have been the fate of Central Asia if the region suddenly became politically fragmented at a time when unity was most needed during the Aral Sea Crisis? Furthermore, what would an independent Russia look like? What leaders might have stepped in following a collapse and what directions would the country have taken? Would we get a Russian Republic or an independent RSFSR? The region was plagued by economic disaster in the years following the end of the Cold War. The Ryzhkov Era recovery programs were both necessary and helped to regain many people's faith in the relevancy of the CPSU. How would independent Russia have dealt with these crises?
 

soundnfury

Banned
What if it had?
I think if you have a break-up of the USSR, it's only a matter of time before the US defederalises. Think about it: the bicoastal liberals have been fighting a culture war with the flyover-country proles for decades, the only thing keeping them together is the need for a solid front against potential Soviet aggression. Take away the threat of the Soviet Union, and that solidarity falls apart. The first states to look for the exits would probably be California and Texas; with both blue and red states wanting to leave, an Amendment to allow secession wouldn't be a partisan issue (so you wouldn't have the North squawking that anyone who wants to secede is de facto a racist who wants to reinstitute slavery).
Whether a break-up of the States is a good or a bad thing depends, of course, on your views on questions rather too political to discuss without starting a flamewar. But it certainly offers fertile grounds for speculation.
 
Polands economy is much worse.

Say what you will about the polish government but they used that moment of soviet weakness during the 90s to the utmost of their ability. Their defection to nato and then the EU granted them access to the greater western markets, but it was the continuing extensial threat that encouraged america and western countries to pump money into their economy and block germanys attempts to regulate their industries to death.

Which created the polish economic miracle and made poland into a developed nation.
 
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