Assume that Russia's tsars manage to stagger through WW I by mumble mumble, or hat the war doesn't happen.
What does the future look like for Russia's economy?
I just finished reading Farm to Factory, an interesting look at the USSR's industrialization policies, and it strikes me that the Russian Empire would have some severe problems.
-Literacy. Say what you will about the Communists, but man, they were good at educating the masses. Would a Tsarist Russia do as well? I'm inclined to say based on OTL, probably not.
Hrmm.
-A lot of Russia's industrialization was based on the sale of grain abroad; but after WW1, the price of grain plummeted worldwide. Woul this hinder Russian efforts to develop?
On the other hand, Russia might be able to make more money in the short term off of foreign investment; OTOH it has plenty of debts it has to pay.
By the 70s, of course, Russia has the resources of Siberia for sale. But that's OTL, in some ways, isn't it?
Thoughts?