IMPACT OF CRISIS PHEN OMENA ON THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE USSR (1985 – 1991)

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The economic crisis of the 1980s affected all spheres of life, but the social sphere was the most vulnerable, especially in the countryside. Money for it were allocated according to the residual principle, so the cultural, educational and medical spheres were in a neglected position compared to the city. A significant part of the rural population migrated to the city. This, in turn, led to the "dying" and desolationof many villages in Ukraine. The share of people of retirement age began to prevail in the villages, and the village, which was always considered a source of reproduction of human resources, lost this qualification. A total decrease in the birth rate was observed.In the 1980s the agriculture of the Ukrainian SSR accounted for a significant part of all-Union production. For example, about a third of fruits and vegetables, almost half of sunflowers were grown in Ukraine. Through the prism of the activities of collective farms and state farms, which provided the urban population with agricultural products, the inability of the structure to feed the growing number of the urban population can be seen. The food crisis was growing, as evidenced by interruptions in the supply of necessary food products such as fresh vegetables and dairy products. However, despite the shortage of certain foods, the price policy remained practically unchanged, which created the illusion of security, stability, and psychological comfort in society.At the same time, the USSR gave Ukraine a special role in the economic structure, because the latter produced about 17.4% of the Union's industrial and 22% of agricultural products. However, the Ukrainian population itself was provided with food at a low level, which was becoming threatening. The Soviet government saw a way out of the difficult situation in increasing the volume of agriculturalproduction by expanding the sown areas. However, in the future, significant destruction of agricultural land will activate erosion processes.It is worth noting that the village remained under the powerful control of the collective farm-state farm system, which reacted painfully to changes. Society needed renewal. In this direction, there were attempts to combat stagnant phenomena, mismanagement, and bureaucracy in the countryside.