Revolution From Above: The Demise of the Soviet System

by Kotz; David

• ISBN13: 9780415143165
• ISBN10: 0415143160
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-01-24
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Revolution from Abovegives a new interpretation of the disintegration of the USSR. It challenges the widespread belief that the demise of the old regime was caused by the collapse of the Soviet economy, accompanied by public demand that socialism should be abandoned. It argues that the ruling party-state elite of the USSR itself moved to dismantle the Soviet system. Coverage encompasses the beginnings of the Soviet political system in 1917 to the move towards capitalism in the 1990s and the surprise resurgence of Communist support in 1995. Research includes interviews with over fifty people influential in the old and new regimes, giving unique information on the Soviet collapse. This book will be invaluable to students of the economy, politics and history of the former Soviet Union.

Table of Contents

List of figures	vii	(1)
List of tables	viii	(1)
Preface	ix	(3)
Acknowledgements	xii	(1)
A note on transliteration of Russian names	xii
1 Introduction	1	(12)
Part I The Soviet system	13	(50)
2 Socialism and the Soviet system	13	(21)
3 Growth, stagnation, and the origins of perestroika	34	(29)
Part II Perestroika and the Demise of the Soviet system	63	(98)
4 Glasnost and the intelligentsia	63	(10)
5 Economic reform	73	(23)
6 Democratization	96	(13)
7 The party-state elite and the pro-capitalist coalition	109	(22)
8 The stuggle for power	131	(30)
Part III Aftermath of the Soviet demise	161	(75)
9 Shock theraphy	161	(12)
10 The results of shock therapy	173	(27)
11 Russia's political evolution	200	(24)
12 Lessons for the future of socialism	224	(12)
Appendix	236	(3)
Notes	239	(44)
Biliography	283	(9)
Index	292