The biggest group of the 3 million or so NEPmen were engaged in handicrafts in the countryside, but those who traded or ran small businesses in the cities faced the most negative attitudes, especially because some amassed considerable fortunes. One of the main objectives of the Communist Party was to promote socialism, and the capitalist behavior of the NEPmen challenged that goal. However, given the economic benefits that NEPmen provided, the government allowed their existence.
The majority of the 3 million NEPmen were involved in rural handicrafts, but those who engaged in trade or operated small businesses in cities faced the most negative reactions, especially due to some accumulating significant wealth. The Communist Party's main goal was to promote socialism, and the capitalist activities of the NEPmen conflicted with this aim. Nevertheless, given the economic benefits they provided, the government allowed their existence.