Soviet Politics 1917-1991

Now available in paperback, this timely work offers an authoritative and lively history of the entire spectrum of Soviet politics, from the rise of Lenin and the October Revolution of 1917 to the emergence of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It discusses in fascinating detail how
Lenin's Communist party transformed the Tsarist empire, why Stalin's massive program to industrialize was coupled with one of the most horrific terror campaigns in history, and what we can expect from this erstwhile superpower in the years ahead. Based on extensive research and first-hand knowledge
of the Soviet system, it offers a lucid and stimulating analysis of the developments which first sustained, then finally undermined, the Soviet state, pinpointing all the key political developments--revolution, state-building, party rule, terror, Nazi invasion, the Cold War, and the recent
elections--and examining their significance in an especially well-wrought historical context. Timely, cogent, and comprehensive, Soviet Politics helps readers make sense of developments in the former USSR since 1985, showing how and why the system fell apart. It will interest anyone wanting a
fuller understanding of current events, and their consequences for the world as a whole.

In October 1917 revolution swept away the Tsarist system under which Russia had assimilated its neighbouring states. Led by Lenin, the Communist Party transformed this empire into the Soviet Union, one of the most powerful states the world has known. Under Stalin industrialisation was followed by terror, resistance to Nazi invasion, and the Cold War. As a superpower under his successors, Kruschev and Brezhnev, the Soviet Union appeared invincible, but with Mikhail Gorbachev came political reforms which resulted in the collapse of communism in December 1991 and the emergence of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Based on extensive research and first-hand knowledge of the Soviet system, this is a stimulating analysis of the developments which sustained, then finally undermined, the Communist regime. Mary McAuley's clear account of events pinpoints key political developments - revolution, state-building, party-rule, terror, and elections - and fully discusses their significance. Her analysis will be of importance to all students of twentieth-century politics and to everyone wanting a full understanding of the history and development of the Soviet Union.