Evaluate the impact of political and economic developments in post-Soviet Russia between 1991 and 2000.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the consequences of political and economic change in post-Soviet Russia, weighing up the strengths and limitations. The move to market economics with the “shock therapy” of abandoning price controls led to rising prices, unemployment and homelessness. The key economic impacts were uncertainty, inflation and a poor standard of living for large numbers of the population. With the privatization of state enterprises, the oligarchs emerged and there was industrial decline because of the lack of investment, increasing crime and corruption. From 1993 onwards, politics became less democratic following the attack on the White House (the Russian Parliament building). The new constitution gave the presidency enormous power and limited that of the Duma. There was an element of democracy as parties were still functioning, but they were increasingly subject to interference from the state. The fact that Boris Yeltsin was able to virtually nominate his successor is an indication of the level of presidential power. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the consequences of political and economic change in post-Soviet Russia, weighing up the strengths and limitations. There were some good answers with detail on Yeltsin's economic policies and the attack on the Russian Parliament in 1993. Weaker candidates answered this question with reference to Gorbachev and perestroika and glasnost.