With its large, educated population, more than adequate amount of scientists and engineers, and an abundance of resources, the status of the USSR as one of the world’s greatest industrial powers would have appeared to have been assured. This, however, was not the case. The preceding chapters have illustrated and discussed the wealth and potential of the Soviet system, the status of research and development or, more generally, science and technology, and the influence of Soviet-style management on these components and their role as essential catalysts for economic growth and development.