One of the major problems that Belarus has faced during the transition is the same problem that many other transition countries have struggled with. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, came a large dependence on Russia to provide fuel and raw materials. Belarus was now responsible to become a competitor in the international market, but lacked the production means to do so. In the past, Belarus industry revolved around the production of goods for the military-complex of Russia. Through this there was never an establishment of an industry based on consumer needs. Through this process, citizens never became active participants in the economic field. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, Belarus was thrown into an altogether new way of life. Do you feel that Belarus, had no chance to way to advance from the start, or were there obvious mistakes that were made in the transition? What should they have avoided from the beginning?
             The environment of Belarus has become extremely run down and contaminated throughout the past decades. Through continuous oil refining and other chemical industries work the Belarus land has been rendered down to a barren wasteland containing much hazardous waste. This land is thought by many to be extremely unsafe to live on. In many areas the land presents a major health hazard to the people who live on it. Also, the problem of atmospheric and water pollution remain a factor. The most important aspect that must be looked at here is the nuclear problems from the Chernobyl incident. Estimates state that around 70% of the radioactive fallout ended up in Belarus. Where on the list of priorities for Belarus do you place environmental cleanup? Do you see this as a major aspect that stands in the way of an economic advancement within Belarus?
             During the transition of Belarus there seemed to be a creation of a gender-gap with the society. The older generation is one that lives in the past that has not adjusted to...