I finished reading Collapse of an Empire: Lessons for Modern Russia last night. It’s a fascinating look at the economic and budgetary problems that destroyed the USSR. Essentially, Gaidar blames the eventual collapse on Stalin’s decision to collectivize agriculture in 1929. The most striking thing, though, is how quickly the USSR unraveled once it’s economic underpinnings collapsed. There’s a lesson here for the USA. Once things start going bad, the end can come quickly. A reversal of foreign investment in the US could be just as dangerous for our future.