1.  Economics  George Molokin: a 25 year TV journalist in the USSR… Now unemployed in the new Russia  George: the Soviet man was a slave to the system. The fall of Communism liberated him. Yet if the man has not forced the slave (dependency) out, he’s still tortured. A slave, when given his freedom, is often helpless.

2.  VAZ attracted many workers – cost $3 billion to build.  Poor working conditions – paint fumes  Foreign Investment Needed  Lack of experience with capitalism/ free market economy

3.  Freedom = competition of beliefs  Russian Orthodox Church: has been the salvation of its people with millions of believers; Troubled by “the tragedy of conversion to Evangelical Christianity”  Evangelical Christianity: aggressive missionary work targeted at the new Russia… more heated and bitter amongst Christian sects

4.  Was almost nonexistant in USSR  Instability of the “new Russia” fuels crime (uncertain times: pressure, fear of change)  Case study of Kazan  Murder Rate: upsurge in murder “astounding”  Mafia: street toughs or a larger network of a spectrum of illegal activities: larceny, prostitution, drug trading, stealing/ smuggling weapons from the military!  Teens are especially lured – previously controlled by gov’t youth leagues, solid discipline in school  Tragedy of Lawlessness: many innocent people injured with stolen weapons, gang activity…

5.  Under USSR: decades of uncontrolled pollution  Some say it is the most inhumane legacy of Soviet rule  No freedom of press – gov’t owned/ censored newspapers, no EPA in USSR  In the new Russia, Nina Toropynz investigates for The Volpa USSR: no stories of pollution were permitted. Nina is a courageous reporter working to reveal the extent of environmental damage/ danger.

6.  Case Study: Astrakhan  Fish: “you are what you eat”  Over 50% of babies born in Astrakhan, had birth defects!  Astrakhan gas plant: single largest employer in region AND biggest polluter. (also funds Nina’s paper)  Early 1980s, 15 underground nuclear explosions were held to create underground cavities for natural gas.  Radiation in drinking water!!!!!! (major health concern)

7.  Resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev  Collapse into Independent States – reality of autonomy  Finding the truth / revealing gov’t cover-ups!  Becoming a world partner/ leader via trade…  Struggling to represent the people  Struggling to protect nuclear materials….  Navigating unchartered post Cold War waters in relation to the United States!

8.  What do you associate with modern day Russia?  Why?