Economy - Andropov

Andropov's 'reforms' 1982-1984

• Like Brezhnev Andropov refused to talk of reform
• Unlike Brezhnev he was willing to admit there were considerable economic problems that needed fixing
• Not willing to change the fundamentals of the economy
• Focus was on Labour discipline

To improve productivity Andropov started three campaigns...


Anti-Corruption Campaign

• November 1982 an investigation of senior party officials and industrial managers who were using Soviet resources to make themselves rich
• E.g. Brezhnev's Minister of interior Nikolai Shchelokov was sacked and put on trial for corruption - took his own life before the end of the trial

Anti-Alcohol Campaign

• Workers could be sacked for drunkenness and could be fined for damaging machinery if drunk at work

Operation Trawl - Anti-Drunkenness and Anti-Absenteeism Campaign

• KGB officers visited parks, restaurants and train stations arresting people who were drunk or absent from work

Results

• Did lead to reduction in consumption of traditional vodka
• However consumption of 'Andropovka' - a lower quality cheaper vodka - increased
• Also the campaigns were poorly enforced and so drunkenness and poor discipline continued