Part 2/9:
Discussions often refer to the "Harvard Project," largely associated with Henry Kissinger, which charted the course towards neoliberal reforms in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This included the dismantling of the Soviet military, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the dismantling of socialist attributes like free healthcare and education in exchange for capitalism—a reality that has left many Russians disillusioned and impoverished.
Today, around 40% of the population lives on a salary of less than 20,000 rubles per month (around 200 euros). In stark contrast, 10% of the population control 90% of the nation’s wealth, underscoring a deep-seated economic inequality that has persisted and intensified under Putin's leadership.