Is the average Russian better off today as opposed to under the Soviet rule?

Question by J: Is the average Russian better off today as opposed to under the Soviet rule of Brezhnev onward (62′ – 91′)?
This isn’t intended to be a political debate. Rather, it’s a question (from a Westerner who is honestly just curious) as to whether an average Russian individual has a better quality of life (economically, educationally, etc.) as opposed to the Soviet era from Brezhnev (1962) ’til the end of the Soviet era? Is the average Russian citizen better off today under a democratic state as opposed to the Soviet Union?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Gerald Cline
The average Russian citizen has more scope to express him/herself. They have a greater freedom to travel (or immigrate) if they chose. They have a better chance of failing if they try to better themselves, but more chance to better themselves then they had under the Soviet system. The long lines that Soviet citizens used to have to wait in to get even the most basic necessities are gone. Necessities are abundant, and luxuries that only high level party members had access to under the old system are now available to everyone. Like their American counterparts, the Russians are no longer living under the constant threat of nuclear annihilation. The KGB is no longer looking over everyone’s shoulder. People can express their thoughts now without fear of finding themselves in a gulag somewhere in Siberia. Yes, I think things are better today in Russia then they were under Brezhnev in the early 60’s.

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