Soviet Political Economy in Transition - From Lenin to Gorbachev

Situating Gorbachev and perestroika historically and ideologically, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of Soviet political economy in the context of socialist theory and seven decades of its application in the Soviet Union. A. F. Dowlah challenges the belief that socialism is sternly committed to centralized economic and political structures, and claims that socialism contains several theories, some more decentralized or democratic, others more authoritarian.

Although the contemporary crisis in the socialist economies powerfully challenges the foundations of socialist theory and practice, Gorbachev, up until the coup attempt of August 1991, claimed that perestoika embodied more socialism, not less, and he was looking within the socialist tradition to solve contemporary Soviet problems. This work examines Gorbachev's claim and evaluates perestroika as a strategy of transition to a new variant of socialism. Based on thorough inquiry, textual evidence, and historical facts, the study concludes that Gorbachev's claims are substantially legitimate, and that a democratic version of socialism is possible within the Russian socialist tradition. It remains to be seen, however, in light of recent political and economic developments, whether this, or some more radical set of reforms, will emerge in Gorbachev's troubled economy.

List of contents

Introduction
The Decentralized Strand of Socialist Economic Thought and Practice
The Centralized Strand of Socialist Economic Thought and Practice
The Immediate Background of Perestroika
Gorbachev's Critique and Vision of Soviet Socialism
Perestroika's Economic and Political Reforms
Crisis of Transition: The Problematics of Perestroika
Crisis of Transition: Factors and Forces for and against Perestroika
Index
Conclusion
References and Further Readings

About the author

Abu F. Dowlah

Product details

• Authors: A. F. Dowlah, Abu Dowlah, Dowlah Abu F.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 23.03.1992
• EAN: 9780313279447
• ISBN: 978-0-313-27944-7
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > Miscellaneous; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000, European History, HISTORY / Europe / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Economy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Policy / Economic Policy, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Public Finance, Political Economy, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Socialism & left-of-centre democratic ideologies, Left-of-centre democratic ideologies, Central / national / federal government policies, Public finance, Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe), USSR, Soviet Union, Central government policies, Public finance and taxation, ECONOMICS: POLICY, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Russian & Soviet, HISTORY / Russia / Soviet Era