Brezhnev, Andropov etc

• • By 1970s, hidden unemployment near 20%.
  • Serious labour shortages, 1 million vacancies in industrial work.
  • 10 times more living space versus under Stalin.
  • Life expectancy fell by 4 years under Brezhnev.
• Stable Society under Brezhnev overview

  • Social Contract.
  • Stagnation.
• Social Contract

  • Brezhnev promised rising standard of living and greater social benefits in return for obedience and conformity.
  • Soviet people trade political rights for economic wellbeing.
  • Five main guarantees; job security through full employment; low prices for essential goods; a second economy free from interference; social benefits; some social mobility.
  • Standards of living increased; subsidised rent; utilities free of charge; spending on health and pensions grew between 4 and 5% a year under Brezhnev; from 1970, subsidies extended to holidays.
  • Social Stability; job+benefits+2nd econ.
• Stagnation

  • Economic inefficiencies of full employment; hidden unemployment was 20% in the 1970s; 1 million unfilled vacancies in Soviet industry led to lower production rates.
  • Female unemployment rising; Central Asian and Caucasus women refused predominantly mining jobs; estimated that 10% of women in these areas were unemployed; political dissidents banned from working; by 1985, 2% of Russians were out of work.
  • Healthcare decline; infant mortality increased to 7% in the 1970s; male life expectancy declined to 64; rise in alcoholism.