For this book a distinguished team of economists and historians - R. W. Davies, Paul R. Gregory, Andrei Markevich, Mikhail Mukhin, Andrei Sokolov, and Mark Harrison - scoured formerly closed Soviet archives to discover how Stalin used rubles to make guns. Focusing on various aspects of the defence industry, a top-secret branch of the Soviet economy, the volume's contributors uncover new information on the inner workings of Stalin's dictatorship, military and economic planning, and the industrial organization of the Soviet economy.Previously unknown details about Stalin's command system come to light, as do fascinating insights into the relations between Soviet public and private sectors. The authors show that defence was at the core of Stalin's system of rule; single-minded management of the defence sector helped him keep his grip on power.
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"In the last decade a group of scholars have finally shown us how Stalin's dictatorship worked. Now they demystify one of the paradoxes of the Soviet Union: how could central planning have defeated the Nazis? The book will be a must read for all those interested in dictatorship and the political economy of development."--James Robinson, Harvard University
--James Robinson
--James Robinson
About the Author
Mark Harrison is professor of economics, University of Warwick; honorary senior fellow of the Centre for Russian and East European studies, University of Birmingham; and distinguished visiting fellow of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace, Stanford University.
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An Engaging Economic History
30 Oct 2009
By THAMATH
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book, edited by Mark Harrison, surveys the defense industry in the Stalinist state between 1927 and 1941. It is an economic history, but despite my expectation of a rather boring text, the book was quite engaging as well as informative. Six authors contributed to the effort, but the editing was quite good, so there were few discontinuities from chapter to chapter. The thesis: despite the use of institutions and policies that should hamper industry, Stalin managed a defense economy that was remarkably effective.
This was the first economic history I'd ever read, though I have slogged my way through a fair share of economic journal articles. I found the thesis and premises of each author easy to follow, though I must admit the forward and preface were very thorough and went a long way to ensure the reader would understand where the book was going.
The authors discuss the structure of the Soviet economy under Stalin and the military's role in military production, through mobilization planning, contracting current equipment orders and research and development. They explain the conditions that detracted from production and measures implemented by the military to ensure quality control.
Throughout, Stalin is presented as a leader concerned about the security of his regime and nation. As such, the authors assert that he structured the military-industrial institutions to ensure his dominance. In concluding, they recount the measures of Stalin's success and draw out comparisons with Hitler. These could be seen as controversial, but were definately thought provoking.
This was the first economic history I'd ever read, though I have slogged my way through a fair share of economic journal articles. I found the thesis and premises of each author easy to follow, though I must admit the forward and preface were very thorough and went a long way to ensure the reader would understand where the book was going.
The authors discuss the structure of the Soviet economy under Stalin and the military's role in military production, through mobilization planning, contracting current equipment orders and research and development. They explain the conditions that detracted from production and measures implemented by the military to ensure quality control.
Throughout, Stalin is presented as a leader concerned about the security of his regime and nation. As such, the authors assert that he structured the military-industrial institutions to ensure his dominance. In concluding, they recount the measures of Stalin's success and draw out comparisons with Hitler. These could be seen as controversial, but were definately thought provoking.
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