Yegor Gaidar

Yegor Gaidar was a prominent Russian economist and politician, known for his role as the acting Prime Minister of Russia in the early 1990s amidst the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was a key architect of the radical economic reforms that transitioned Russia from a command economy to a market-based system, often referred to as 'shock therapy.' Gaidar's policies aimed to stabilize the economy and curb hyperinflation, but they also led to significant social upheaval and hardship for many Russians. He authored several works, including 'Collapse of an Empire,' where he analyzed the economic factors contributing to the Soviet Union's downfall, emphasizing the impact of fluctuating oil prices on the economy.