Soviet History in the Gorbachev Revolution (Studies in Russian and East European History and Society) - Hardcover

Since Gorbachev took office in 1985, every aspect of the Soviet past has been under scrutiny. Tens of millions of Soviet citizens are eagerly absorbing and debating the vast outpouring of novels, books and articles, and films and TV programmes, about their past. Much new information has appeared, often sensational, about how the Stalin regime worked and what it meant for top politicians, generals, intellectuals and ordinary citizens. Stalinists, Russian nationalists, democratic socialists and others are locked in bitter debate. Was the victory of Stalinism inevitable? Was there an alternative road to socialism? Even Lenin and his policies are now questioned. The Politburo itself is deeply divided about how far the debate should go and what conclusions should be drawn from it. The reconsideration about the past is part of the discussion about the way forward for Soviet society: how big should be the role of the market? How much freedom and democracy?

With tens of millions of Soviet citizens eagerly absorbing and debating the vast outpouring of novels, books and articles, films and TV programmes about their past, the Politburo is deeply divided about how far the debate should go and what conclusions should be drawn from it. This book reviews the whole discussion about history and considers its impact on the Gorbachev revolution. The author questions whether the victory of Stalinism was inevitable, whether there was an alternative road to Socialism. He describes how even Lenin and his policies are now questioned. R.W.Davies has also written "The Development of Soviet Budgetary System", "Foundations of a Planned Economy, 1926-1929, Volume 1" with E.H.Carr, "The Socialist Offensive: The Collectivisation of Soviet Agriculture, 1929-1930" and edited "From Tsarism to the New Economic Policy" and co-edited "The Technological Level of Soviet Industry".