How do communist dictatorships and democracy differ?
Possible response: In a communist dictatorship, the government is run by one leader or a small group of leaders (the Communist Party). The government controls all aspects of the economy, and there is no such thing as private property because everything is owned by the government. In a democracy, the people have power over the government and personal freedoms, such as religious freedom and the freedom of expression, are valued. Democracies typically have free-market economies where the freedom to buy and sell goods drives economic decisions.
What are some of the issues that promote economic development in Northern Eurasia?
Possible response: Northern Eurasia has an abundance of natural resources. For example, Russia has natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals that are sought after by other nations. This helps the nation thrive when prices for these products are high.
What factors keep people from settling in regions like Siberia?
Possible response: Siberia has a very frigid climate. The ground is frozen all year long. These cold conditions and limited vegetation make it hard for people to survive.
What were some of the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Possible response: Stalin focused on building weapons and a large military. The rest of the Soviet economy was ignored. The Soviet Union failed to invest in technology and could not pay to import food to feed its citizens.