That's kind of a moot question because a slower transition was never even an option. The USSR was rapidly collapsing into anarchy. Especially in the outer areas, the security forces stopped obeying orders. In a lot of factories, workers simply left and looters hauled away everything of value. Industry ceased to function in a matter of months.
I'd be interested in understanding the "rapid collapse" more. Do you have any good resources on this? Was this due to the USSR being dependent on coerced demand/supply from other communist block nations?
