THE DESTRUCTION OF THE STATE: THE COMBINATION OF DOMESTICAND INTERNATIONAL FACTORS. THE SOVIET LESSON FOR RUSSIA

Abstract

The article scrutinizes the main contradictions which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Elements of comparative historical analysis are used as a scientific methodology. (Macro approach of the sociologist R. Collins, who had predicted the Soviet collapse, can serve as an example). According to the author, the collapse of the USSR was caused, first of all, by geopolitical tension on the international scene and ethnic contradictions within the country. The deficit was the integral line of the Soviet economy. The geopolitical tension weakens the order in the state. Historical experience of the collapse of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union also points to the danger of analogies in the present situation.