The Impact of Soviet Occupation on Eastern European Development

Western European countries are often viewed as more advanced and developed compared to their Eastern European counterparts. A significant reason for this disparity can be traced back to the Soviet Union's control over Eastern Europe for over 70 years. Poland and Belarus serve as prime examples of this development gap, with economic, cultural, and democratic differences clearly visible.

Economic Exploitation and Development Disparities

While Western European nations exploited colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America to develop well above their means, Eastern European countries struggled under the Soviet Union's occupation. Poland, for instance, was the first Eastern European nation to align itself with the West, benefiting significantly from EU subsidies. However, the Baltic countries, which include Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, experienced economic decline and had to rely on a Russo-phobic stance to earn money.

The Delayed Development of Ex-Soviet Block Countries

The primary reason for the delayed development of ex-Soviet bloc countries, now part of the EU, can be attributed to the 70-plus years of communist rule imposed by the Soviet Union. This regime had a detrimental effect on commerce, industry, banking, education, and culture, limiting contacts with the rest of Europe. Countries like Poland have made significant progress in recent years, while others, such as Ukraine, have seen an improvement in living standards before the invasion by Russian forces.

The Case of Russia: Organized Crime and Economic Failure

Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union, has failed to develop beyond its medieval conditions. Organized crime and the State have become confused, creating an entity that controls more than 90% of the country's productive assets. The profits from these assets are siphoned into private bank accounts, leaving the country underdeveloped and its population uneducated and unproductive. The current state of affairs in Russia is a stark contrast to the progress seen in neighboring countries like Finland and the Baltic states.

The Incentive to Develop and the Negative Impact of Communism

Communism, which eliminated incentives to better oneself and made individuals entirely dependent on the state, had a devastating effect on Eastern European countries. The Soviet Union, in its quest to bring down its neighbors to its miserable standard of living, succeeded in ruining entire nations. This is evident in the current state of Russia, where efforts to improve the economy are overshadowed by the drive to destroy neighboring countries.

Historical Examples of Development Disparities

Historical examples further illustrate this development gap. Before World War II, countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland were at similar levels of development, with Estonia being the most developed. By 1990, Finland had significantly outpaced its neighbors in terms of development. This difference underscores the lasting impact of Soviet control on Eastern European countries, which hindered their ability to innovate, industrialize, and develop.