How has Russia been able to transition to a war economy so much more successfully than the US, who has spent so much more time at war over the past few decades?
Russia kept most of the industrial capacity that it inherited from USSR. They mothballed a lot of these factories, and used parts of them for civilian production. When the war started, they just had to restart their operation for military production. Another factor is that Russian education system is much better, and there’s a strong focus on trades. So, there wasn’t a lack of skilled workers to man the machinery either.
Thank you for your reply. By mothballed, you mean these factories sat largely unused for decades? In North America, former factories tend to become repurposed into lofts or office space. Do you know what why this didn’t this happen in Russia? Was it foresight or a lack of demand?
These factories are not in places were anyone would want to have a loft or their office.
I’m sure this happened in more desirable areas, but around the Ural mountains it propably did less so.
How has Russia been able to transition to a war economy so much more successfully than the US, who has spent so much more time at war over the past few decades?
Russia kept most of the industrial capacity that it inherited from USSR. They mothballed a lot of these factories, and used parts of them for civilian production. When the war started, they just had to restart their operation for military production. Another factor is that Russian education system is much better, and there’s a strong focus on trades. So, there wasn’t a lack of skilled workers to man the machinery either.
Do you have any reading on the Russian Education system? That sounds interesting and not something I have read much about.
Not off hand, but it hasn’t really changed all that much from the Soviet system from what I know.
Thank you for your reply. By mothballed, you mean these factories sat largely unused for decades? In North America, former factories tend to become repurposed into lofts or office space. Do you know what why this didn’t this happen in Russia? Was it foresight or a lack of demand?
It’s cause the industry is state owned, and the state realized the value of it.
These factories are not in places were anyone would want to have a loft or their office. I’m sure this happened in more desirable areas, but around the Ural mountains it propably did less so.