Conversations With Stalin On Questions Of Political Economy

First published in 1964, Was Stalin Really Necessary? is a thought-provoking work which deals with many aspects of the Soviet political economy, planning problems and statistics. Professor Nove starts with an attempt to evaluate the rationality of Stalinism and discusses the possible political consequences of the search for greater economic efficiency, which is followed by a controversial discussion of Kremlinology. The author goes on to analyse the situation of the peasants as reflected in literary journals, then looks at industrial and agricultural problems. There are elaborate statistical surveys of occupational patterns and the purchasing power of wages, followed by an examination of the irrational statistical reflection of irrational economic decisions. Professor Nove’s essay on social welfare was, unlike some of his other work, used in the Soviet press as evidence against over-enthusiastic cold-warriors, among whom the author was not always popular. Finally, the author seeks to generalise about the evolution of world communism.

Written shortly before his death, this work is regarded as Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's political testament. Far more than just a dry theoretical economic discussion, this book provides a fascinating and unique insight into the economic, social and political thinking of the man who led the Communist juggernaut from 1924 to 1953. Directed to internal Communist Party comrades in response to discussions on the economy of the Soviet Union, this work details Stalin's interpretation of the basic economic laws of modern capitalism and socialism, the character of economic laws under Soviet style socialism, commodity production, the "law of value" and the "elimination of the antithesis and distinctions between town and country and mental and physical labour." Finally, Stalin presents what he predicted would be the "deepening crisis of the world capitalist system" and the "inevitability of wars between capitalist countries." While much of Stalin's predictions were wholly incorrect, parts of his critique of capitalism proved valid and were borne out by developments long after his time. A fascinating historical document, first published in Red China in 1972.

Written shortly before his death, this work is regarded as Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's political testament. Far more than just a dry theoretical economic discussion, this book provides a fascinating and unique insight into the economic, social and political thinking of the man who led the Communist juggernaut from 1924 to 1953. Directed to internal Communist Party comrades in response to discussions on the economy of the Soviet Union, this work details Stalin's interpretation of the basic economic laws of modern capitalism and socialism, the character of economic laws under Soviet style socialism, commodity production, the "law of value" and the "elimination of the antithesis and distinctions between town and country and mental and physical labour." Finally, Stalin presents what he predicted would be the "deepening crisis of the world capitalist system" and the "inevitability of wars between capitalist countries." While much of Stalin's predictions were wholly incorrect, parts of his critique of capitalism proved valid and were borne out by developments long after his time. A fascinating historical document, first published in Red China in 1972.

A new translation from the original Russian manuscript with a new afterword by the translator and a timeline of Stalin's life and works. In one of his last works written in 1952, Stalin addresses various economic challenges facing the Soviet Union in its pursuit of socialism. He discusses topics ranging from commodity production under socialism to the role of the law of value, offering insights and solutions based on Marxist-Leninist theory.

Dmitrii Shepilov (1905-1995), a prominent Soviet leader and member of the Communist Party elite, rose to power under Joseph Stalin in the 1940s and 1950s, then fell into political disgrace after being implicated in a coup attempt against Nikita Khrushchev in 1957. In this remarkable memoir, Shepilov provides an unparalleled account of Soviet politics during this period, as well as first-hand recollections of prominent political leaders including Stalin, Khrushchev, Mao Zedong, Lavrentii Beria, Andrei Zhdanov, and others. Secretary of the Central Committee, editor in chief of Pravda, and director of the Communist Party’s Bureau of Propaganda and Agitation, Shepilov tells his story from the perspective of a true insider. His memoir sheds new light on Soviet relations with China, the aborted coup against Khrushchev, the personal rivalries that drove high-level Soviet politics, and much more. His report--dramatic, opinionated, and engaging--is an important addition to the history of his sparsely documented era.

Stalin is commonly considered the quintessential "vicious dictator," an iconic figure of tyranny. But almost none of his many biographers has drawn on primary sources, eye witness accounts, Stalin’s own writings and speeches, or what those people who met him had to say about him. This assiduously researched book is an attempt to get a little closer to the truth. It is based on first-hand observations from every stage of his life, and it evaluates numerous shocking tropes that were circulated by Stalin's rivals and made into our received view of his rule.

Volume 38B of Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology features a symposium on economists and authoritarian regimes in the 20th century. It also features a new general-research essay by Reinhard Schumacher and RHETM co-editor Scott Scheall that provides new details concerning Carl Menger’s life and career.