What Comes After The "Iron" Curtain?

After visiting a number of previously termed "iron curtain" countries, my question is what do we call them now? Comparing Russia, Estonia, Poland and Germany (aka East Germany) to each other, I would say that each is at a different stage of progress moving beyond their formerly repressed, communistic societies.

Estonia, for instance, which had been occupied by one or another of their neighbors for more than 8,500 years, has probably changed the least over time. When I say over time, I mean they still look pretty much like the medieval town they were in 13th century, wall and all.


Poland holds the next notch on the progress spectrum. What was obviously a very poor country is slowly accumulating some wealth and the ability to compete in the modern economic world. For example, all or most of IKEA's manufacturing production occurs in Poland. And regardless of their past struggles, there is clearly a pride of country amongst its population.

Germany or East Germany reinforced the sameness and dreariness of the communist society, at least as it existed behind the curtain. From what we could see while behind the Berlin Wall, it had all been about the "haves" and the "have nots" because regardless of what anyone says, there were those few in positions of power who had plenty of money and options while the rest of the population lived in houses that looked exactly like their neighbors throughout their countryside. Some of these little houses still exist; they're gray, square, cement cubes but most of the now "free" population has painted them at a minimum and many have added more space.

I do think West Germany's influence on their counterpart has enabled them to move forward into a healthier economic state much more quickly.


Russia is another story in regards to what exactly is going on there right now. They may be out from under Communism per se but what do you call a society governed by "the mob"? Isn't that just another form of anarchy? This was the only place that still felt scary and in fact, one of the crew members had an experience that bore this out. I will say there is more new construction here than anywhere else, I will also say they have more slums, fewer private homes of any type, older mass transit (the trains must have been at least 50-60 years old), fewer recreational toys like sail boats that were prolific in all other countries, more junk like old cars, appliances, etc. sitting along the road and last but not least, more soldiers with guns and gates that required "showing your papers" just to get around. Even the tour guides were disdainful of their police saying they care about nothing but taking bribes and I know this for a fact based on the personal story told to us by one of the assistant Cruise Directors. No American should even consider setting foot on Russian soil without being in a group, that would be a group of more than two or three. I honestly don't know what the future holds for this country but I do know that more and more from that country still seem to be relocating here, probably for good reason.



Don't get me wrong, there is incredible wealth in St. Petersburg including many gorgeous and extravagant, historical palaces, museums and gardens. And there are a number of new skyscraper office buildings, hotels, etc. I guess it was the stark contrast with how "the majority of the population lives" that was unnerving.

So what metals represent the economic progression of these countries? If you agree that after iron you encounter copper, then bronze, then lead, then silver, then gold, then perhaps platinum, then I would rate the economic progress of these formerly Communist countries in this way:

Estonia = bronze
Poland = lead
(East) Germany = silver
Russia = iron oxidizing with some copper here and there


Anyway, that's my assessment. It was a very enlightening trip.