ty-first century. Because of the size of the country, it will be impossible for any outside force to operate Russia's fledgling economy. The ultimate success or failure of the system will depend entirely on the Russian people. (Brendenkamp) One of the most important ways that Europe and the United States can help is by providing money directly to the Russian government. This view is most popular within Russia because it would ease the transition, but many Westerners fear it would be misused by government officials. Aid in the form of food for the 30 million living under the poverty line is more universally supported. (Brendenkamp) One of the most important factors missing from the Russian Federation is a widespread knowledge of capitalism. Experts from Europe and the United States could be brought in to educate Russian economists, who could then teach the populous about the operation of a free-market economy. They would also be able to advise top officials as to the best way to improve conditions within the nation. (Brendenkamp) On December 17, 1995, the Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, was elected. Members of the weakened Communist party posted the largest gains, maintaining control of the legislative body. (Kramer) However, on July 10, 1996, Boris Yeltsin was re-elected by a margin of 13 percentage points over his nearest rival, Communist Gennadi Zyuganov. On 9 August 1996, he was inaugurated for his second term as Russia's first president. (Kramer) Yeltsin was elected on a heavily anti-Communist message. His advertisements showed the horrors of the Soviet past and portrayed him as a reformer prepared to lead Russia out of that dark era. (Kramer)Voters within the nation awarded him a second term, and with it, a license to carry out his reforms. Yeltsin already has plans to continue with the destructuring of the socialists' price and distribution controls. Among other things, the Russian Federation will be applying for ent...
