Russia in Global Affairs

It is now time to recognize that the reform of the early 1990s was wrong. Such a complex and unique system as the Soviet militarized economy cannot be restructured by pseudo-market methods. First of all, it should be demilitarized on the administrative level, mobilizing the entire power of the state, and only then can a market economy begin to be built.

Serdyukov’s personal qualities, above all his outstanding managerial skills, have played a major role in his success. Yet, the main factor in the record-fast radical renovation of the Armed Forces is of objective nature and is not directly linked with the minister’s personal qualities. This factor is that Anatoly Serdyukov is the first truly civilian defense minister of Russia.

It is now time to recognize that the reform of the early 1990s was wrong. Such a complex and unique system as the Soviet militarized economy cannot be restructured by pseudo-market methods. First of all, it should be demilitarized on the administrative level, mobilizing the entire power of the state, and only then can a market economy begin to be built.