Most political economists agree that the majority of the Soviet population generally benefited from the Soviet system. Given all the negatives one can point out about the Soviet system, why would an average Soviet citizen actually have a lot to lose with the collapse of the Soviet Union?

a. Because the state heavily subsidized the prices of necessities: the cost of rents, utilities (gas, electricity), public transport, and most basic food items were kept artificially low.
b. The state consistently followed a policy of full employment.
c. Because, for better or for worse, the state provided the population with "cradle-to-grave" welfare in the form of free education, health, and basic social security.
d. For all of the reasons listed here.