esses were controlled, at least in part, by the populous. Controls over production and distribution have been released in all industries except energy, communications, and transportation. (Nelan) However, there is still much work to be done. Many price controls are maintained to this day, especially in staple products such as food. (Yavlinsky) Despite the fact most Russians struggle just to get by, there has been some good news for the Russian people in the last few years. Per capita income is up from $3,000 (US equivalent) in 1989 (Hoffman) to over $4,800 (US equivalent) in 1996. The Russian Federation also has continued to post a trade surplus, reaching $12 billion in 1996. (Famighetti, 1996). Russia's condition is ever-improving, and as the immediate threat to the new government subsides, more progress can be made. An example is in the field of welfare. On 30 December 1995, First Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Soskovets stated that the government would begin taking action to aid those hurt by the transition to capitalism. "Some corrections will certainly be made strengthening the social direction of the government's economic policy," he said. ("Russia stays...") Despite widespread gains made by the Russian Federation during its short history, there is a great deal of work left to be done. Most of the goals set by the Russian government still have not been reached. It will be a long, slow process that brings the Russian Federation to become an economic power again. But it is a process which continues to this day, and it seems inevitable that, given time, the Russians will be a major player in the global economy. Economists and leaders not living within Russia's boundaries are also very interested in its reforming economy. The Soviet Union was a major player in international economics before its breakup. Outsiders are eager to see how the Russian people respond to the free market, and the impact the Russian Federation will have in the twen...
