The poor in Moscow today are very poor indeed. In fact, it is this downward spiral into poverty in the aftermath of Communism that has come as the biggest change—and biggest shock—to many Muscovites.

In the Soviet Union, Muscovites, as all other citizens, had their basic needs met by the government. Under the Communist system, everyone was expected to contribute, and everyone had the right to be taken care of in return. Everyone worked, often in an assigned rather than a chosen job. Pay was extremely low, the equivalent of a few dollars a month. Low pay was not a problem because the government provided for people's basic needs either free or nearly so. For example, in cities like Moscow, housing was provided in apartment complexes for about three dollars a month for a whole family. Simple food, such as...