In this unit Malenkov's and Kruschev's attempts to realize the potential of the late-Stalinist economy will be examined, the crisis of 1962/4 will be explored and Brezhnev's externalization of the problems of the economy in the context of the emergent relationship between the Soviet Union and the countries which came to comprise COMECON and with the non-communist world will be considered, together with the resultant reaction against planning reform. It aims to provide an understanding of long-term economic development in the Soviet Union during the years 1952-1985 and beyond, through a direct study of historical statistical data; primary sources, including not only textual materials (in translation) but also film and graphics, and interpretation by Soviet and Western scholars, employing the tools of the social scientist. It involves data collection, often from materials deliberately presented with the aim of misinformation, and an analysis of interpretations, often created in the same spirit, with the objective of determining not only objective reality but also the motivation behind the presentation of such misinformation. In such a manner students will develop an understanding of problems concerning the validity and reliability of available data emanating from the Soviet Union, learn methods of contextual analysis and interrogation, and gain insights into how to conceptualize and analyse such materials, utilizing both political science and economics methodology

LECTURES

1-3. The Late-Stalinist Economy, 1938-1953.

Russian Economic Development, 1938-1953
Russia and Eastern Europe, 1946-1953

4-9. Economic Reform and Reaction, 1952-1982

Reorientation: the Malenkov Reforms, 1953-5

Technological Assimilation and Industrial Growth ,1953-1982

Agricultural Change and the Transformation of Rural Life, 1953-1982

Earning-Price Incentives and Productivity Change, 1953-1982

Economic Growth and Regional Development, 1953-1982

The USSR, CMEA and the International Economy, 1953-1982

TUTORIALS

Reading List

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