Economic hardship from "summary" of Iron Curtain by Anne Applebaum
Economic hardship in postwar Eastern Europe was not just about poverty or the lack of luxury goods; it was about the absence of basic necessities. Food was scarce, and what little was available was often of poor quality. Housing was overcrowded and in disrepair. Healthcare was inadequate, and diseases were widespread. The infrastructure was crumbling, and transportation was unreliable. People struggled to find employment, and even those who had jobs often earned barely enough to survive. The state-controlled economy exacerbated these problems. Central planning led to inefficiency and waste, causing further shortages. Bureaucratic red tape made it difficult for individuals to start businesses or improve their economic situation. Corruption was rampant, with party officials and black marketeers profiting at the expense of the general population. The government's response to economic hardship was to prioritize heavy industry and military production at the expense of consumer goods and services. This skewed allocation of resources further strained the econom...
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