Cards for manufactured goods 1945 history of use. Cards, money, trunks

03.07.2020

MONETARY REFORM OF 1947 AND THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE CARD SYSTEM

It was agriculture that remained the most vulnerable link in the post-war economy.

The currency reform was a heavy blow to the countryside. On December 14, 1947, A. Zhdanov and A. Zhdanov signed a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, which stated that the reform was being carried out in order to strengthen the ruble and withdraw a large amount of counterfeit money from circulation. In addition, this was to prevent speculative elements, who had accumulated significant sums during the war years, from buying up goods after the abolition of the rationing system. The exchange of old money for new ones was carried out with restrictions, namely, 10 rubles in old money for 1 ruble in new ones. The revaluation of household deposits in savings banks and the State Bank was carried out on more favorable terms - deposits up to 3 thousand rubles inclusive remained unchanged, i.e., 1 ruble old money was revalued for 1 ruble new. The Decree of December 14, 1947 noted that "certain sacrifices" would occur during the monetary reform. It was announced that "the state takes on most of the victims. But it is necessary that the population also take on some of the victims, especially since this will be the last victim." The reform led to the forced withdrawal of money from anyone who in any way accumulated significant amounts. The main victims were those who kept their money in "pods" outside the state savings banks. Most of all among this category of the population it turned out to be rural residents.

Simultaneously with the monetary reform, the card system was abolished. In the USSR, this happened earlier than in other countries participating in the Second World War. Uniform retail state prices for food and industrial goods were established. At the same time, prices for bread, flour, cereals and pasta were reduced by 10-12%; and for meat, fish, fats, sugar, salt, potatoes, vegetables and confectionery remained at the same level. At the same time, it was noted that the prices for milk, eggs, tea, fruits, as well as for fabrics, footwear, and clothing were "too low." After the implementation of the reform and the abolition of the rationing system, prices for consumer goods became higher than the previous normalized ones, but lower than commercial prices, in line with market conditions. With the average wage in the country not reaching even 500 rubles a month, this meant that the majority of the population would not immediately feel the "increase in the level of material well-being" promised by the decree of December 14. Nevertheless, the monetary reform made it possible to improve the finances of the state and contributed to the recovery of the economy as a whole.

In the next few years, the USSR regularly carried out reductions in retail prices for consumer goods. As a rule, it was announced that this measure was associated with "the successes achieved in the field of industrial and agricultural production, the growth of labor productivity and the reduction in the cost of production." However, this policy was based on the transfer of funds from Agriculture. To a large extent, price cuts were subordinated to political rather than economic goals. It grew out of the colonial policy towards the countryside and led to an even greater deterioration in the material situation of the peasants.

I.S. Ratkovsky, M.V. Khodyakov. History of Soviet Russia

INTRODUCING CARDS

In accordance with the order of the People's Commissariat USSR No. 275 of July 16, 1941, in order to establish a firm order and organize an uninterrupted supply of the population of Moscow with basic food and industrial goods in wartime and to prevent queues, I propose:

For ration cards:

Bread, bakery products and flour, cereals and pasta.

Sugar and confectionery.

Animal, vegetable and margarine oils, meat, meat products.

Fish and fish products.

For manufactured goods cards:

Cotton, linen and silk fabrics, garments.

Knitted goods.

Hosiery.

Leather and rubber shoes.

Laundry and toilet soaps.

[Sale of all other food and industrial goods without cards.]

2. Establish the norms of leave on cards of bread, cereals, pasta, sugar and confectionery, meat and meat products, fish and fish products, animal and vegetable oils in accordance with Appendix No. 2.

3. Establish that the sale of cotton, linen and silk fabrics, garments, knitwear, hosiery, leather and rubber shoes using cards is carried out within the established norms for the release of these goods in one hand according to card coupons with the right to choose and purchase of the goods listed in Appendix No. 4, but not exceeding the following number of coupons:

For workers and engineering workers....... 125 coupons

For employees ................................................................ .............. 100 coupons

For dependents (including children and students) .................... 80 coupons

The sale of laundry and toilet soap is carried out on a one-time coupon monthly - 1 piece of laundry and toilet soap per 1 card.

4. The release of meat dishes and bread in canteens is carried out according to coupons of food cards at the expense of the established norms for bread and meat in the manner determined by the attached instructions.

Decree of the Department of Trade of the Moscow City Executive Committee "On the introduction in Moscow of cards for certain food and industrial goods" No. 289 dated July 16, 1941

"KNOWN VICTIMS WANTED"

In the USSR, the liquidation of the consequences of the war and the monetary reform are not carried out at the expense of the people. The number of employed workers and employees is not decreasing in our country. We do not have and will not have unemployment. The wages of workers and employees not only do not decrease, but, on the contrary, they increase, because commercial prices are reduced several times, and ration prices for bread and cereals are also reduced, which means an increase in the real wages of workers and employees.

Nevertheless, when carrying out a monetary reform, certain sacrifices are required. Most the victims are borne by the state. But it is necessary that part of the victims be taken over by the population, especially since this will be the last victim. The exchange of cash for new, in view of these restrictions, will affect almost all segments of the population. However, this order of exchange will strike first of all at the speculative elements who have amassed large reserves of money and keep them in "jugs". The losses of the vast majority of the working people connected with the exchange of money will be short-term and insignificant and will be completely covered by the abolition of high commercial prices and the reduction of existing ration prices for bread and cereals.

Simultaneously with the monetary reform, the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks decided to abolish the rationing system for food and industrial goods, abolish high commercial prices and switch to selling goods at uniform state prices while reducing ration prices for bread and cereals. Thus, large material benefits are created for the population.

The abolition of the rationing system for foodstuffs and industrial goods will be carried out on the following basis.

Firstly. Sale of food and industrial goods will be carried out in the open trade without cards.

Secondly. Uniform state retail prices are being introduced to replace existing commercial and ration prices.

Thirdly. Uniform prices for bread and cereals are set at a lower level than the current ration prices, with ration prices for bread reduced by an average of 12%, for cereals by 10%, and compared with current commercial prices, they are reduced by more than two times. half times.

Fourth. Uniform prices for other foodstuffs are basically kept at the level of current ration prices.

Fifth. Uniform prices for manufactured goods are set for several elevated level compared to low ration prices, and compared to commercial prices are reduced on average by more than three times.

Thus, as a result of the monetary reform, the abolition of cards and the transition to open trade at uniform prices, the population will receive a full-fledged ruble instead of the currently circulating ruble with reduced purchasing power. The streamlining of monetary circulation, the growth in the production of consumer goods and retail trade will make it possible to lower prices in the future, i.e. will lead to a new increase in real wages and incomes of collective farmers.

Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks of December 14, 1947 N 4004 “On the implementation of the monetary reform and the abolition of cards for food and industrial goods”

BERIA SCAM

Beria admitted that before the monetary reform in 1947, he instructed Ludwigov to secretly place a significant amount of money (more than 40 thousand rubles) in various savings banks in order to avoid revaluation of money. Ludwigov carried out this criminal order of Beria (t. l. d.).

From the Decree of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU of July 1, 1954 on the draft indictment against P. A. Shariy, S. S. Mamulov, B. A. Ludvigov, G. A. Ordyntsev, and F. V. Mukhanov

POPULATION RESPONSE

Since November 30, in the city of Moscow, the demand of buyers in commercial stores for food products suitable for long-term storage (smoked sausage, cheese, balyki, canned food, butter, sweets, tea, sugar, etc.) has increased. In this regard, by order of the Moscow office "Glavosobgastronom" in all stores from the morning of November 30, these products were withdrawn from sale. The demand for vodka also increased significantly, as a result of which the stores of the Moscow office "Obsobgastronom" on November 30 gained 3,000,000 rubles more than usual days. On December 1, the stores of this system are closed due to the holiday. Only two shops No. 5 and 19 trade, in which the sale of products is rationed, for example, butter is sold in 100 grams per person. Since November 29, the influx of visitors to Moscow restaurants has increased. The amount of restaurant revenue has increased several times ... there is a great demand for confectionery, especially for chocolate. At the Oriental Restaurant, drunken individuals took wads of money out of their pockets and shouted, "That's how much paper."

Out of 12 Yuvelirtorg stores, only 3 stores are open on December 1. The remaining 9 stores are closed for registration. Items that had been in the window for 3-4 years were put on sale in the trading shops and were sold. At the Buying Jewelry Point, only 2,000 rubles worth of gold was received from the population ...

Shop No. 8 had 12 pianos, of which only one was sold from October 1 to November 28. On November 30 and December 1, 11 pianos were sold. Buyers took these tools, not at all interested in their quality condition. In the same store, a large number of gramophones were available, which in common days were sold 1-2 per day, and on December 1, 100 gramophones were sold. Also sold out were 4 accordions and 12 button accordions, which had no demand before. On December 1, buyers' demand for stringed instruments also increased: violins and expensive guitars.

In the store of the Uzbek Industrial Cooperation (Petrovsky passage) for a long time there were skullcaps worth from 150 to 350 rubles; On November 28, 29 and 30, all skullcaps were sold out, despite the fact that there was absolutely no demand for them even in the summer.

In the markets of Moscow there is a large influx of people who want to buy expensive things. So, for example, P. E. Uvarov, a factory No. 1 locksmith, bought a piece of dark blue wool for 3,500 rubles. When asked how he got such money, he explained that he had sold a cow (...)

From the conversations of the population and from letters sent from Leningrad, the rumors that have spread are as follows:

a) from December 15 bread cards will be canceled and average prices between commercial and card prices will be established. An assumption is made regarding the norms for the release of products and goods in one hand;

b) from December 15 to December 30, a monetary reform will be carried out. In this case, all the money will change with the exchange rate of one ruble new for two old rubles. At the same time, no more than two salary salaries per person will change;

c) there are also rumors that the money will be canceled and there will be no replacement.

This explains the issuance of salaries for the month of November ahead of schedule.

Muscovites coming to Leningrad shops for goods have a great negative impact on the inhabitants of Leningrad.

[From] the data received from the peripheral bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it is clear that the sources of rumors about the upcoming replacement of money in a number of cases are employees of financial authorities. So, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR reports that on November 30 with. Citizen Kashinchuk, whose daughter works in the Kiev Regional Office of the State Bank, said in a conversation with his acquaintances: money exchange."

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ryazan region reports that "the spread of rumors about the exchange of money began actively after the return from the meeting from Moscow of trade and financial workers of the Ryazan region."

Memorandum of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR Kruglov on the spread of rumors about the preparation of a monetary reform and the reaction of the population to these rumors Comrade Stalin and V Comrade Beria L.P. Comrade Voznesensky N.A. Comrade Kuznetsov A.A dated December 2, 1947

If you say “card” today, the first association is banking, plastic, where the money is. But those who found Soviet times, remember very well that cards are coupons for a certain number of products.

Cards were purchased for money, sometimes without them. They were introduced for various reasons: during the years of wars and crop failures, to combat shortages, and sometimes the cards were intended for the ruling, elite part of society in order to powers of the world This received products according to special, generous norms.

card system was not a unique discovery Soviet Union. Even in ancient China, during disasters, long ropes with the imperial seal were distributed to the population, and the seller deftly snipped off a piece during each purchase. The system of "rations" and distribution of products existed in Mesopotamia. However, food cards began to be introduced everywhere only during the First World War. Austria-Hungary and Germany thus regulated the demand for meat, sugar, bread, kerosene, France and England - for coal and sugar. In Russia, zemstvo organizations and local governments also introduced cards, one of the most scarce products was sugar - it was massively bought for the production of moonshine, and a significant part of Poland, where sugar factories were located, was occupied by the enemy.

In the 1920s - 40s, cards became faithful companions of every inhabitant of the USSR.

From 73 years old Soviet power 27 passed under the card system

Throughout the country, cards for bakery products were introduced by the beginning of 1929. According to the first category, workers of the defense industry, transport and communications, engineering workers, the top of the army and navy were supplied. They were supposed to have 800 g of bread per day (family members - 400 g each). Employees belonged to the second category and received 300 grams of bread per day (and 300 grams for dependents). The third category - the unemployed, the disabled, pensioners - was supposed to receive 200 g each. But the "non-working elements": merchants, ministers of religious cults - did not receive cards at all. All housewives under the age of 56 were also deprived of cards: in order to receive food, they had to get a job.

Talon "labor ration", 1920

Over time, cards began to spread to meat, butter, sugar and cereals. Stalin, in a letter to Molotov, outlined his views on the supply of workers: “Select shock workers at each enterprise and supply them completely and primarily with food and textiles, as well as with housing, providing them with all the rights to insurance in full. Non-strike workers are divided into two categories, into those who work at a given enterprise for at least a year, and those who work for less than a year, and supply the first with food and housing secondarily and in full, the second - thirdly and at a reduced rate. On the account of health insurance, etc., have a conversation with them something like this: you have been working at the enterprise for less than a year, you deign to “fly”, - if you please, in case of illness, do not receive a full salary, but, say, 2/3, and those who work for at least a year, let them receive a full salary.

"Unearned elements": merchants, clergy - did not receive cards

The cards finally took root throughout the entire space of the USSR by 1931, when a decree was issued "On the introduction of a unified system for supplying workers according to intake books." The creation of collective farms, the mass famine of the early 1930s, the construction of huge enterprises became a serious test for the country. But after the first five-year plan, the situation returned to normal. On January 1, 1935, the cards were canceled, the population began to buy goods in open trade. But, unfortunately, the production of products did not increase, the number of goods did not increase. There was literally nowhere to buy provisions. So the card system continued to exist until the war in a hidden form. So, in stores they released a rationed amount of products “in one hand”, huge queues appeared, the population began to be attached to stores, etc.

Bread card. Saratov, 1942

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War centralized card distribution is reintroduced. On July 16, 1941, the order of the People's Commissariat of Trade "On the introduction of cards for certain food and industrial goods in the cities of Moscow, Leningrad and in individual cities of the Moscow and Leningrad regions" appears. From now on, food and manufactured goods cards extended to bread, cereals, sugar, confectionery, butter, shoes, fabrics, and garments. By November 1942, they were already circulating in 58 major cities country.

A meter of fabric "cost" 10 coupons, a pair of shoes - 30, a towel - 5

Workers, depending on the category, received 600 - 800 grams of bread per day, employees - 400 - 500. However, in besieged Leningrad in the most hungry month - November 1941 - the norms were cut to 250 g for the work card and to 125 g for all others.

Bread card. Leningrad, 1941

Manufactured goods were also sold with special coupons. Workers were entitled to 125 coupons per month, employees - 100, children and dependents - 80. 5 coupons gave the right to purchase a towel, 30 - a pair of shoes, 80 - a woolen suit. At the same time, cards and coupons were only documents that allowed the purchase of goods at fixed prices. It was necessary to pay for the goods themselves in "live" rubles.

Card for dry rations, lit. "A". Moscow, 1947

By 1943, “letter supply” was widely used in three categories - “A”, “B” and “C”. Officials, journalists, party activists, the leadership of law enforcement agencies ate in the "literary canteens", which allowed them, in addition to hot, to receive an additional 200 g of bread a day. The cards did not apply to the rural population, except for the intelligentsia and the evacuees. Villagers were mainly supplied with coupons or received grain in kind. In total, by the end of the war, 75-77 million people were on state supply.

The last wave of rationed distribution in the USSR began in 1983

The last wave of rationed distribution in the USSR began in 1983 with the introduction of a coupon system, the essence of which was that in order to purchase a scarce product, it was necessary not only to pay money, but also to transfer a special coupon allowing the purchase of this product.

In the shop. Moscow, 1990

Initially, coupons were issued for some scarce consumer goods, but later they were introduced for many food products and some other goods (tobacco, vodka, sausage, soap, tea, cereals, salt, sugar, in some cases bread, mayonnaise, washing powder). , lingerie, etc.). In practice, it was often not possible to use coupons, since there were no corresponding goods in stores.

Tobacco coupon map for Moscow in the early 1990s

The coupon system began to fade in the early 1990s due to rising prices, inflation (which reduced effective demand) and the spread of free trade (which reduced the deficit). However, coupons were retained for a number of goods until 1993.

May 5, 1942 Second World War, which has been shaking the planet for several years, finally came to the "most prosperous inhabitants of the world": US citizens. On this day, they were informed that one of their basic freedoms - freedom of trade - had cracked. Now they could only buy something in limited quantity, and then on the cards. First of all - sugar and gasoline.

For some mysterious reason, the rationing system of food distribution is clearly associated only and exclusively with socialism. Say, the "free world" can never slide into such misery. Often used as an argument Winston Churchill: “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal distribution of poverty."

The words are beautiful, no doubt. But they shake only the air, and not the least bit knowledgeable interlocutor. In a crisis situation, capitalism arranges such a wild leveling that all the achievements of the "totalitarian Soviet regime" fade.

Equally or fairly?

Even the most cursory glance at the history of trade and distribution of products during the Second World War is enough to make sure that in one way or another, cards were introduced by all the warring powers, from England to Japan, if you look at it alphabetically. Even in relatively prosperous USA since 1943 there were cards for canned food, meat, cheese, butter and (for some reason) peas.

Another thing is how all this joy was organized. Comparing the card system of the same England and the USSR, it is impossible to get away from the buffoonish principle of sharing alcohol, adopted by the Mitki, a group of St. Petersburg primitive artists.

“Divide equally - vodka is poured equally. Divide fairly - Mityok drinks a large share himself.

Food cards of 1942, according to which the inhabitants of the USSR received food. Photo: RIA Novosti

In the USSR, this "kingdom of leveling", products were rationed and distributed exactly what was fair. Whoever works harder, harder, or more dangerously has an advantage. The dependent's ration is less than the worker's ration, and the worker's ration, in turn, is less than the food certificate of the military. The system is rigid, but understandable: the memories of Soviet children of the war years are full of complaints about constant feeling hunger, but there are no reproaches against the miners or (especially) the soldiers with their grain norm, two or three times higher than the children's one.

In England, where capitalism ruled the roost with its "unequal distribution of wealth", rationed products were distributed exactly equally. No, some categories, for example, pregnant and lactating women, enjoyed certain concessions. But the rest was absurd. So, work cards were unified. The government did not care in the least that some industries were more difficult, some were strategically important, and some were simply harmful or even destructive. Everyone is equal, and there are no options.

From January 1940, as soon as the cards were introduced, the traditionally strong unions in England tried to put pressure on the Food Department in order to somehow encourage workers in heavy industries. In vain. It took more than a year and a half and a number of the strongest military slaps from Germany for the officials to realize: who eats well, he works well, he forges a front-line victory in the rear. And in the fall of 1941, they introduced ... No, not different norms for the release of products. And just different dining rooms. In category A canteens, miners, foundry workers and dockers ate. The rest were in category B canteens. The cards were still the same for everyone.

1 egg and 2 pockets

What could they get?

Here is the standard for a weekly issue of products on cards in England:

Meat - 230 g;

Oil - 57 g;

Sugar - 227 g;

Eggs chicken or duck - 1 piece;

Cooking oil - 113 g;

Milk - 1.4 l.

You can see that neither vegetables nor bread are included here. Both of them were during the war in free, albeit rationed sale, according to the scheme familiar to us: "No more than a kilo in one hand." Maybe at least there is some advantage of capitalism in this?

Maybe there is. But here's a funny twist. In the USSR, the card system was abolished in 1947. And in England, at about the same time, this very system, on the contrary, was tightened. So, bread cards appeared there after the war: in 1946. Two years later, there were also cards for potatoes, which no longer fit into any gates. By the way, cards for a number of products lasted in England until 1954.

Moreover. The desire for equalization gave rise there to such enchanting idiocy as the rationing of clothing. British laws wartime trousers with cuffs were forbidden: excess consumption of material. They regulated the number of pockets and buttons on men's jackets: no more than 2 pockets, no more than 3 buttons. The ladies also got it: the heel height should not exceed 2 inches (slightly more than 5 cm).

In our periodicals, one can come across scoffing about how Soviet women, having received synthetic or silk combinations from the USA under Lend-Lease, foolishly mistook them for evening dresses. And they began to flaunt in underwear in theaters and restaurants. It must be really funny. But by no means humiliating. The real humiliation is here. In the wake of egalitarianism and scarcity in post-war England, women sewed their bras out of men's handkerchiefs. And underwear made from stolen parachute silk was considered the highest chic.

At the same time, the share of those wishing to receive a food card has grown by a quarter in less than a year, according to a survey by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) distributed on Thursday.

The card system is a system of supplying the population with consumer goods in conditions of shortage. Under this system, in order to purchase a product, one should not only pay money for it, but also present a one-time coupon giving the right to purchase it. Cards (coupons) establish certain norms for the consumption of goods per person per month.

During World War I, rationed card distribution existed in a number of warring powers, including Russian Empire. For the first time in Russia, cards were introduced v 1916 due to the food crisis caused by the war. Then the Provisional Government took advantage of this practice, establishing April 29, 1917 card system in all cities. Grain was distributed exclusively by cards: rye, wheat, spelt, millet, buckwheat, etc.

After October revolution cards reappeared. in August-September 1918 and existed before 1921. When organizing the distribution of food, a "class approach" was practiced.

The cancellation of the card system has occurred in 1921 in connection with the transition to the NEP policy and the flourishing of entrepreneurship.

In 1929 At the end of the NEP, a centralized card system was again introduced in the cities of the country. In April 1929, cards for bread were introduced; by the end of the year, the card system covered all types of food products, and then also affected industrial ones. Cards of the first category were intended for workers who could eat 800 g of bread per day (family members were supposed to have 400 g each). Employees belonged to the second category of supply and received 300 grams of bread per day (and 300 grams for dependents). The third category - the unemployed, the disabled, pensioners - were supposed to receive 200 g each. All housewives under the age of 56 were also deprived of cards: in order to receive food, they had to get a job.

The system lasted the entire period of collectivization and industrialization, until 1935, and covered more than 40 million people.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in 1941 centralized card distribution is reintroduced. Cards for food and some types of industrial goods appeared in Moscow and Leningrad as early as July 1941. Cards were introduced for bread, cereals, sugar, confectionery, butter, shoes, fabrics, garments. By November 1942, they were already circulating in 58 major cities of the country.

Card distribution of food and industrial goods in the USSR existed until December 1947.

The last wave of rationed distribution in the USSR started in 1983 with the introduction of coupons (coupon system). The essence of the coupon system was that in order to purchase a scarce product, it was necessary not only to pay money, but also to transfer a special coupon authorizing the purchase of this product.

Initially, coupons were issued for some scarce consumer goods, but subsequently coupons were introduced for many food products and some other goods (tobacco, vodka, sausage, soap, tea, cereals, salt, sugar, in some cases bread, mayonnaise, washing powder , lingerie, etc.). In practice, it was often not possible to use coupons, since there were no corresponding goods in stores.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

On December 1, 1990, for the first time after the Great Patriotic War, coupons were introduced in Leningrad. What are food cards, why this measure was introduced and whether Russia threatens to relive the coupon system - in our material.

1. What is a card system

The card system (coupons) is a way of providing the population with goods in conditions of shortage. Under this system, in order to purchase a product, one must not only pay money for it, but also present a coupon giving the right to purchase it. In addition, coupons establish certain norms for the consumption of goods per person per month.

For the first time in Russia, food cards were introduced in 1916 to overcome the food crisis caused by the First World War. The card system was widespread in the countries of the socialist camp. It was used to combat the shortage of goods. At the same time, in the countries of the capitalist camp, coupons served as a form of support for socially unprotected groups of citizens.

2. What is it for?

The ration card system was widely used to combat the shortage of goods. Such cards, they are also coupons, determined the rate of consumption of goods per person per month. That is why such a system was also called a normalized distribution. In addition to food, non-food products were also sold using coupons, but people still purchased mainly food.

As a rule, coupons were handed out at the place of registration in the housing office or in a hostel for students, at the place of work or in the trade union committee. Characteristically, coupons were originally introduced as an element of a motivation system: a distinguished employee was given a coupon for the purchase of a scarce product - for example, a TV or women's boots - which rarely appeared on store shelves.

3. When was the last time administered

December 1, 1990 - for the first time after the Great Patriotic War in Leningrad - coupons were introduced. The reason for the emergence of the rationing system was the shortage of consumer goods. It was almost impossible to buy these goods without a coupon, since it appeared extremely rarely in stores. However, some goods produced by the state in excess were sold, as a rule, without coupons, despite the fact that cards were issued for them. An example of this is the sale of salt.

It all ended in 1992 in connection with the "vacation" of prices, which reduced effective demand, and the spread of free trade that came after the fall of the "Iron Curtain".

4. In which countries does it exist today

For a market economy that has long existed in the United States, coupons have a slightly different meaning. As a rule, these are cards for essential goods for socially unprotected segments of the population. Goods of this kind are issued either completely free of charge or at reduced prices.

Such an instrument of social support has long existed for poor American citizens. However, the food stamp in the United States has modern look: a poor citizen receives a plastic electronic card, which is replenished monthly from state funds. The amount of the monthly payment for this social support averages $115 per person and $255 for a family.

5. Will it happen again in Russia today

With the question of whether the card system can return in our days, we turned toinstitute adviser modern development, economist and political scientist Nikita Ivanovich Maslennikov. And here's the response we got:

“You don’t enter the same water twice. Given the mistakes of the 1980s and 1990s, there will be no return to this practice. Nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that in many countries of the world such tools exist and work successfully. are usually a form of support for vulnerable populations.In the US, there have been so-called food stamps for several decades.

We also have a project to implement such a tool. It is spelled out in sufficient detail in the strategy for the development of agriculture until 2020. Some pilot projects have been undertaken in a number of regions of Russia, but so far, as a mass phenomenon, there are no such things as coupons. However, I do not rule out that their introduction is possible.

This kind of tool can be a plastic card, with which it will be possible to get a discount in a store for one or another product that will comply with the legally established list. But these projects were not developed due to lack of funds in the regional budget. Implementation of such a program would require a political decision at the federal level.

Today it can be stated that, firstly, this is not a repetition of the experience of the 1980s-1990s, but a completely different story. This is a form of targeted support for socially vulnerable groups. Secondly, normal application technologies have already been developed. Third, there are budgetary constraints as retailers will need to be compensated. Fourth, in order to use such an instrument on a nationwide scale, a strong-willed decision is needed."

Summing up, the expert clarified once again: in general, the same situation as in the "perestroika" period is unlikely to be repeated. But the system, which has long and firmly existed in the United States, may well be implemented in Russia.