The fall of the Berlin Wall on 11/9/89 unleashed forces that ultimately liberated all the captive peoples of the Soviet Empire

Thomas L. Friedman
About This Quote

The fall of the Berlin Wall on 11/9/89 unleashed forces that ultimately liberated all the captive peoples of the Soviet Empire. The Cold War was a contest between two very different viewpoints of human existence. Communist states held that only their way could produce a better world. They believed that private property, profit, and profit-oriented industry were harmful to society.

On the other hand, free-market economies believed that private property, profit, and profit-oriented industry were necessary for individuals to thrive and develop at their best. It is no coincidence that the fall of the Berlin Wall was followed by the collapse of Communism. When Communism fell, so did its many oppressive policies worldwide.

Source: The World Is Flat: A Brief History Of The Twentyfirst Century

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