Pavel Makeyenko
Institute for Systems Studies
Academy of Sciences, Moscow
Friday, December 13, 1991, 10 a.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 301, 2115 G Street NW
Abstract
In the last six years the events on the territory which was known as the Soviet Union have proved the necessity to return to the starting point – the beginning of the great experiment which turned out to be a total failure. The path which was chosen led the country to a bad end. To find the way out the peoples inhabiting one sixth of the Earth’s surface are reconsidering the principles which formed the foundation of the largest totalitarian system in history. But where is the point that they should go back to in order to insure progress in the future? What economic, social, and political structures should they put into place to realize the creative potential of the country and to overcome destructive tendencies? The years of perestroika have shown people what they do not want or need. The crucial task now, after the end of perestroika, is to define what is needed to create a better life, if not for themselves, then for their children. What will be the path from the present continuous, back to past imperfect, and forward to the future indefinite?