166-031 The Political Economy of Russia

Usually 25 points of first year politics.

The collapse of the Soviet system is the single most important political event since the end of the Second World War. This subject provides a background in Soviet political-economy as an approach to modernisation and the realisation of socialism, its attempts to reform itself, and its ultimate failure. Students will then discuss the political effects and processes of economic reforms in Russia since 1991. We will analyse the purposes Russian economic policy has claimed to serve, the political agents involved in policy production, and those aligned against them. The subject will also discuss the sociological effects of economic reform. On completion of the subject students should have critical perspectives on the prospects for the Russian political-economy, both in itself and as part of the world capitalist economy.