Second economy of the Soviet Union

The second economy of the Soviet Union was a system of activities, or "shadow" economy, that existed alongside the official economy of the Soviet Union. These activities were usually illegal, off-the-books transactions, traded for goods and services, or involved bartering or black-marketeering. People in the second economy often sold goods such as cigarettes, alcohol, medicine, and household items that they had acquired illegally. The second economy also included people trading their services, such as hairdressing and car repairs. People used the second economy to get what they needed without going through the official channels.