Soviet Political Economy in Transition - (Contributions in Economics and Economic History) by A F Dowlah & Abu Dowlah (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"A thoughtful, scholarly and insightful review of an important topic. The study is especially good on perestroika's intellectual origins and Gorbachev's critique and vision of contemporary Soviet practice."- John E. Elliott Professor of Economics University of Southern California--Los Angeles _ _

"In spite of the failure of many to take Gorbachev seriously, Dr. Dowlah examines the claim of Gorbachev that the problems of contemporary Soviet society are to be solved by more rather than less socialism. . . . [His] arguments in support of his various positions on the present crises in the Societ Union are compelling. This book is a welcome and valuable addition to Greenwood's Contributions in Economics and Economic History."- John C. O'Brien Professor of Economics California State University--Fresno

"Mr. Dowlah provides a highly readable account of the Soviet economy since the revolution. In addition to a comprehensive survey of the extensive literature on the various reforms undertaken in the Soviet Union, it contains a succinct discussion of events, ideologies and issues. The book should be considered as an essential reading for those interested in the issues of transition in Soviet Russia and other republics of the former Soviet Union."- A. Premchand Assistant Director Fiscal Affairs Department _

"Soviet Political Economy in Transition is a brilliant book that demonstrates alternative models/paradigms of socialism, and provides a penetrating scrutiny of seven-decade long Soviet experiment on socialism with superb analytical and interpretative skills. In this timely book, Dr. Dowlah combines his in-depth knowledge of Soviet economic and political theoretical expositions on socialist project, he helps us understand immense changes in the former Soviet Union from both empirical and ideological perspectives. This book should be equally accessible to academics and students, politcy-makers and practitioners. It is a welcome addition to the existing economic and political literature on the crises of transition in the formerly socialist economies."- Dr. A. T. R. Rahman Department of Technical Cooperation for Development United Nations _

"With the present deluge of studies on transition economics, it is refreshing to find an up-to-date account of where perestroika belonged in the pantheon of socialisms and how pedestals could have been changed to make it work. It collapsed under its own weight after this book was completed, but not for the inherent impossibility of restructuring socialism. This monograph goes some way toward explaining the whys and hows, and should elicit further research on fine-tuning transition strategies."-Jozef M. van Brabant

About the Author

A. F. DOWLAH is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Political Science at the State University of New York, Canton. Formerly, he taught at the University of Southern California, California State University at Fullerton and at Los Angeles. He has authored a number of papers and a book entitled Perestroika: An Inquiry Into its Historical, Ideological, and Intellectual Roots (1990).