With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the economy of Russia was left without the guidance on which it relied so heavily for more than seventy years. Control of the economy was thrust into the inexperienced hands of the general population, who had lived for three generations under a system in which they had no need to make decisions about their businesses.
Capitalism is a difficult system to understand, even with training.
To be thrust into it unprepared can be a prescription for disaster. This began the process of rebuilding the Russian economy in a capitalist system. The committee strongly suggested that the Russians immediately release price controls on almost all goods, instantly creating a free market in which the people could learn capitalism first-hand. An auction of all government- owned corporations was proposed, beginning with smaller, easier to value companies. Also, the commission emphasized the need to lift restrictions on foreign trade.