20 13- 10-09 10:26: 14
The Soviet Union is the first socialist country in human history, and it is also one of the two "superpowers" juxtaposed with the United States for a long time. However, this red empire collapsed in the August 19th Incident 22 years ago. What are the reasons for the drastic changes in the Soviet Union and how did Russia develop after the drastic changes? Recently, I interviewed Professor Zuo from the Institute of International Strategy of the Central Party School on these issues. Zuo believes that the living standard of Russians today is significantly higher than that of the Soviet Union.
Zuo Rong Feng said that the living standard of Russians today is obviously higher than that of the Soviet Union, and Moscow, St. Petersburg and other big cities are no different from western developed countries. First of all, there is no shortage in Russia, and residents can't see long queues when buying daily necessities. Shops and supermarkets are convenient, and goods come from all over the world. Commodity prices basically follow the law of value, and the phenomenon that the same thing has the same price in all parts of Russia has disappeared. Second, the good practices of the Soviet era have basically been preserved. The whole people still practice free medical care and treat minor illnesses at public expense, but drugs are purchased at their own expense (except for diseases that require long-term medication, such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension). Once they are admitted to the hospital, even their meals are free of charge. Education from kindergarten to primary and secondary schools is completely free, and half of college students are free. Pensions are increasing every year. The growth rate of residents' real wage income is higher than that of GDP. Most Russians live a comfortable and dignified life, and many people spend their holidays around the world every year.
Russian leaders attach great importance to people's livelihood, pay attention to fulfilling the responsibilities of a social country, and let the people benefit from economic development. The Constitution clearly stipulates that "in case of illness, disability, loss of breadwinner, raising children and other circumstances stipulated by law, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy social security according to his age." "Everyone has the right to health protection and medical services. National and municipal medical and health institutions rely on corresponding budget funds, insurance premiums and other income to provide citizens with medical services free of charge. " "Ensure universal and free preschool education, basic general education and secondary vocational education provided by state or municipal educational institutions and educational enterprises." In 2009, when the economic crisis was severe, people's lives did not decline. The real income of residents increased by 2.4% in 2008, by 3. 1% in 2009 and by 5. 1% in 20 10. Putin's goal is to increase the average wage by 60% to 70% by 2020. "This is the key to overcoming poverty and increasing the middle class."
Compared with countries with similar labor productivity and per capita income, Russia's social security level is relatively high. In recent years, social expenditure has accounted for more than half of the total budget. From 2008 to 20 12, the absolute value of social expenditure increased by 50%, and its proportion in GDP increased from 2 1% to 27%. At present, the government's social subsidies account for as much as 18% of residents' total monetary income, and 60% families enjoy subsidies and preferential treatment provided by the state.
The national and local budgets not only increase the allocation to the medical insurance fund every year, but also continuously increase the contents in the basic medical service catalogue to improve the basic medical service level. The state provides special subsidies for projects that are not listed in the basic medical service list, and there is no poverty or contempt due to illness in Russia. In 2005, the government promulgated the national "healthy" development plan, which not only ensured the basic medical security for residents, but also ensured that citizens received high-tech medical assistance. In 2006, the Russian Federation decided to establish 65,438+05 high-tech medical assistance centers in several federal districts. Plastic surgery to correct spinal curvature and cochlear implant for deaf people are free. From 2006 to 2065, 1 10,000 people benefited from the government's free medical care. In 10, the expenditure on health care in Russian Federation increased more than five times, from 250 billion rubles in 200 1 year to 20 1 0.7 trillion rubles in 20 1 year, and the health care budget in 201year reached 2 trillion rubles. The health level in various regions of Russia has improved significantly, the downward trend of population has been successfully curbed, and the baby birth rate has increased. Since 2005, the average life expectancy of Russians has increased by four years, ranking second to none in the world. Russia will build 107 medical institutions and overhaul more than 3,500 (3,600), and more than 5,500 medical institutions will be equipped with complete facilities. The average salary of doctors should be doubled before 20 18. In the capital Moscow, "from 20 1 1 to 20 12, 103 billion rubles were used for the modernization of the health system, of which 22.4% was raised by Moscow."
The state not only pays for compulsory education, but also pays for extracurricular education. It is estimated that by 20 18, the proportion of primary and secondary school students participating in extracurricular activities will reach 70%-75%, of which 50% will be free. The proportion of public college students at public expense shall not be less than 40%, and the actual proportion of public college students is about 50%. For college students who can't continue their studies (good grades) without scholarships, scholarships should meet the minimum living guarantee. 2012101Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said that the Russian education budget expenditure will reach 8 trillion rubles by 20 15 years ago, and it will exceed 20 trillion rubles between 20 16 and 2020. This figure is equivalent to the defense budget expenditure.
The government budget supports residents to solve the housing problem. The Russian Constitution clearly stipulates: "For poor citizens and other citizens who need housing according to the law, they should provide housing free of charge according to legal standards or provide them with sufficient funds from state, municipal and other housing funds." The Russian government's housing promotion fund is a state-owned company, which mainly helps residents, especially young families, to provide housing mortgage loans and solve their housing problems. The government also provides social housing to families with housing difficulties or families with many children in the form of free or low rent, and the state increases the construction of military housing year by year. The housing problem in Russia has never become a sharp social problem.
It is precisely because Russia's economic development strategy has always been concerned about people's livelihood, maintaining social stability and people's recognition of the current system. Although some people miss the glory of great powers in the Soviet era, no one wants to return to that era.