Abstract
This paper summarizes the book Jared Diamond"s "Collapse". The author explores some of the examples of social collapse presented. The paper argues that the book falls short by failing to consider other possible causes of social collapse besides environmental disaster.

From the Paper
"As the keyword of its title suggests, this book deals with the catastrophic collapse of societies. Specifically, it deals with collapse ..."

Tags:collapse, environmental

jared diamond

maya

greenland

environment

easter island

Abstract
There is a general consensus among historians that the collapse of the Soviet Union could not have been averted because of the inherent economic, political, and social flaws of the communist system. Ultimately, these flaws proved to be fatal, despite the efforts of Mikhail Gorbachev to reform communism through glasnost and perestroika between 1985 and 1991. More than seventy years of communist political oppression, CPSU corruption, mismanagement of the economy, and massive military spending had totally and irrevocably destroyed the legitimacy of communism in the USSR by 1991, and its collapse was inevitable. This paper looks at the historical, economic, political and sociological reasons that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Tags:collapse, of, ussr

Abstract
The paper relates that Communist Party corruption, bureaucratic mismanagement of the economy, and the conventional and nuclear arms race with the United States were the primary causes of this disillusionment which led to the collapse of communism in the USSR. The paper then describes how the final and inevitable end of communism came when the Soviet people defied hard-line coup leaders in 1991 and rallied to the support of Boris Yeltsin. The paper reveals that in less than a week, Communist rule collapsed across the Soviet Union and democratic institutions began to be established in all of the former Soviet republics.

From the Paper
"The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 because the Soviet people had suffered for far too long under communism and had grown tired of living in poverty and hopelessness. Communist Party corruption, bureaucratic mismanagement of the economy, and the conventional and nuclear arms race with the United States were the primary causes of this disillusionment which led to the collapse of communism in the USSR. The final and inevitable end of..."

Tags:collapse, soviet, union

Abstract
This paper examines various factor that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to the paper, the major cause was the United States, which had opposed Soviet communism for more than seventy years through global alliances, military force, and economic pressure. The paper contends that ultimately the Soviet Union collapsed because of interrelated domestic and foreign factors caused by the Cold War rivalry with the United States.

From the Paper
"The most important factor in the collapse of the Soviet Union was the United States. As the leading capitalist democracy, the United States opposed Soviet communism for more than seventy years through global alliances, military force, and economic pressure. Ultimately, the Soviet Union collapsed because of interrelated domestic and foreign factors caused by the Cold War rivalry with the United States. The Soviet people had suffered for far too long under communist rule, and would no longer..."

Tags:collapse, soviet, union

Abstract
The paper discusses how by the sixth century, the collapse of the Roman Empire was a well-established fact; as well, civilization had reached a low point insofar as cities had become depopulated and society had become rural and decentralized. With this in mind, the paper explores the factors and forces that allowed a new civilization in the west to arise; beyond that, this paper explores the stages or phases of its growth and development. Ultimately, the paper shows how while many factors led to the re-ascent of western civilization after the fall of Rome, it looks as though the Christian Church and a few capable leaders who still valued the transmission and protection of knowledge and civilized behaviour (Justinian being foremost among them) sowed the seeds for a new civilization to arise.

From the Paper
"By the sixth century, the collapse of the Roman Empire was a well-established fact; as well, civilization had reached a low point insofar as cities had become depopulated and society had become rural and decentralized. With this in mind, the next several pages will explore the factors and forces that allowed a new civilization in the west to arise; beyond that, this paper will explore the stages or phases of its growth and development. Ultimately, while many factors led to the re-ascent of western civilization after the fall of Rome, it looks as though the Christian Church and a few capable leaders who still valued the..."

Tags:collapse, post, roman, civilization

Abstract
This paper compares the process of the collapse of Communism in the three states of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Poland and Hungary were most successful, but for entirely different reasons.

Tags:EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, collapse communism poland

Abstract
This paper takes a very detailed look at the events leading up to and the reasons behind the collapse of Soviet-brand Communism in Poland. The essay begins in post World War Two Poland and then follows the adherence of the Polish people to the Catholic Church throughout the years of socialist rule. The writer looks at the creation and influence of Solidarity, the workers' union, and finally sees how changes in the Soviet Union allowed all of these factors to lead to the end of Communism.

From the Paper
"As the Holy Father of the international Catholic Church lies in a state of sickness, a tracheotomy in his throat and willing caretakers and hangers-on at his side, the worldwide media is all agog, cameras outside his window looking for a wave, wire-services and websites intent on the latest information and updates. Yet, these newshounds often forget who this man they know as Pope John Paul used to be and where he is from. Karol Wojtyla, the man who would become pope twenty-five years ago, is Polish."

Tags:collapse, communism, poland

Abstract
This paper analyzes the main causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union, focusing on the role of the United States in its collapse. The paper looks at the final phase of collapse in the 1980s when Leonid Brezhnev died and the other factors that impacted the collapse at that time. The paper also discusses the efforts of Gorbachev to try to stem the collapse of the Soviet Union and how his efforts failed.

From the Paper
"Gorbachev realized that perestroika was bold and risky and that only time would determine its ultimate success or failure. Like Lenin, Gorbachev believed that, "sometimes you have to retreat, and then advance." But he ran out of time, in part because the new openness in the Soviet press under glasnost revealed to the Soviet people for the first time that conditions across the entire Soviet Union were shockingly bad.
"Ever since the days of Lenin, the average Soviet citizen knew that economic conditions were bad in their own village, city, or region, but the communist-controlled media prevented them from knowing that conditions were just as bad everywhere else if not even worse. Glasnost confirmed this harsh reality beyond any doubt, and created a political environment across the Soviet Union in which people were not going to tolerate communism much longer."

Tags:perestroika, communism, Russia, Kremlin, revolution

Abstract
When the Thai Baht was floated in July 1997, the Thai economy was overheated, along with extremely shaky balance sheets of many of its financial institutions. Inevitably, this led to currency devaluation and a run on the baht. This paper examines the reasons for the baht's collapse and the repercussions on domestic and regional economy.

Paper Outline
Factors that Led to the Collapse of the Thai Baht
The Purchasing Power Parity Theorem and the Collapse of the Thai Baht
Role of Speculators in the Baht Crisis
Steps the Government could have Taken to Preempt the Crisis
The Effect on Domestic Businesses
Similarities with the Collapse of the Korean Won

From the Paper
"However, the Thai case was influenced by several factors beyond the logic of the purchasing power parity theorem: depletion of foreign exchange reserves by the government purchasing its own currency in an effort to prop up the exchange rate; raising of interest rates to make holding the baht more attractive; a high debt-equity ratio among Thai corporates which was further aggravated with the devaluation of the baht; and the degree of non-performing assets with financial institutions."

Tags:fiscal, policy, cash, flow, management

Abstract
This paper explains why the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The explanations range from Russian history and faults in Marxist theory, to Stalin, Gorbachev, and others. It explains why the collapse was inevitable, stating that, from the beginning, Russia was isolated and backwards and that Marx never had Russia in mind for reformation. It also examines the role the U.S. played in the collapse and what the Soviet Union's leaders did wrong.

From the Paper
"Even though the Soviet Union survived events such as a civil war, the Russo-Japanese war, and both world wars, it finally collapsed in 1991. This happened despite the benefits communism gave it. The failure of the USSR to remain a world superpower was attributed to many factors. Some factors include faults in Marxist theory and those of the Soviet Union's leaders. Others include Russia not being suited for communism, and external forces determined to bring down the Soviet Union."

Tags:communism, gorbachev, marx, russia, soviet, stalin, states, union, united