The USSR as an Attempt to Implement a Global Alternative to the West

Abstract

Introduction. The Soviet Union, created as a socialist alternative to the capitalist world, did not have the opportunity to implement a socialist global project before World War II. The decisive contribution of the USSR to the victory over fascism forced the West to recognize for the USSR the right to a sphere of influence. The USSR and the countries of Eastern Europe, within the framework of CMEA, drew up a socialist integration project The purpose of this article is to consider the prospects for the transformation of CMEA from a local socialist project into a mechanism of foreign economic activity, alternative to the Bretton Woods system. Materials and Methods. The article analyzes the conditions for formalizing a socialist integration project. Methods of interaction between socialist countries and their results are considered. The nature of the impact on the CMEA countries of the world situation is assessed. The article is based on published documents and Soviet papers, characterizing the directions and results of socialist cooperation. Results. The CMEA had no prospects to be an alternative to the Bretton Woods system. It was developed through the consumption of Soviet resources provided at prices much lower than the world ones. As CMEA members increased, this led to a senseless depletion of the USSR’s resources, while moving it into the paradigm of the resource-producing economy. Discussion and Conclusion. In the CMEA the USSR being a donor for the countries of Eastern Europe, limited their sovereignty. Such a model of economic relations had no prospects and needed a serious adjustment. The USSR could not count on victory in the global confrontation with the West, without having a universally acceptable model of international economic relations.