Political Economy and Soviet Socialism (Routledge Revivals)

by Alec Nove

Overview

First published in 1979, Political Economy and Soviet Socialism is an integrated selection of papers written over the past 12 years of Russian history, which offers a unique insight into some important and controversial issues. Professor Nove discusses the ideas of some of the leaders of the Russian revolution (Lenin, Trotsky and Bukharin), the political economy of socialism and the problems of the contemporary USSR. The author addresses the role of traditional Russian ideas in shaping the Soviet Union’s social structure and the conceptual problems involved in defining its ruling stratum - whether or not it is a class. He also considers the criteria by which it is reasonable to judge Soviet reality, the performance and prospects of agriculture in communist-ruled Europe, the ability of the Eastern bloc to tackle problems of inflation and the obstacles to economic reform. Looking at the important and original developments of economic thought in the USSR and Eastern Europe, Professor Nove dissects the ideas of the ‘new leftists’ concerning the role of market forces under a feasible socialism. These papers offer essential reading for students of politics, economics and comparative social structure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415682428
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/17/2011
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Part 1: History of Russia 1. History, Hierarchy and Nationalities 2. Russia as an Emergent Country 3. A Note on Trotsky and the ‘Left’ Opposition, 1929-1931 Part 2: Political Economy 4. Lenin as Economist 5. Some Observations on Bukharin and His Ideas 6. Planners’ Preferences, Priorities and Reforms 7. ‘Market Socialism’ and Its Critics 8. Some Developments in East European Economic Thought Part 3: Contemporary Economic Problems 9. The Politics of Economic Reform 10. Can Eastern Europe Feed Itself? 11. Inflation in Communist Countries Part 4: Soviet Studies 12. Is there a Ruling Class in the USSR 13. Some Observations in Criteria for the Study of the Soviet Union