One Step Backwards, Two Steps Forward : Soviet Society and Politics in the New Economic Policy image
One Step Backwards, Two Steps Forward : Soviet Society and Politics in the New Economic Policy Pethybridge, Roger Edition: 1990 Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated Number of Pages: 470 ISBN10: 019821927X ISBN13: 9780198219279 Dimensions: 5.75" w x 8.81" l x 1.33" h Weight: 1.67 lbs. Binding: Trade Cloth Language: English List Price: 225.00

Description

This study of Soviet politics and society under the New Economic Policy is the first to relate local problems directly to changing central ideological views during the crucial early years of the Soviet State. Roger Pethybridge makes an intensive examination of five Russian and minority localities in 1922, when the NEP was at its early stages, and again at its height in 1926. These detailed studies...This study of Soviet politics and society under the New Economic Policy is the first to relate local problems directly to changing central ideological views during the crucial early years of the Soviet State. Roger Pethybridge makes an intensive examination of five Russian and minority localities in 1922, when the NEP was at its early stages, and again at its height in 1926. These detailed studies demonstrate that under the early NEP there were effectively two capitals - Moscow for politics, and Petrograd for culture, and their roles are examined in depth, as Professor Pethybridge analyses the workings of Bolshevik control mechanisms, and means of communication between centre and periphery in this period. One Step Backwards, Two Steps Forward throws new light on the roles of socio-political agents, and potential enemies in Russia's vast hinterland. Professor Pethybridge argues that the well-known threat to the regime from the kulaks was less menacing than that from the Nepmen and the artisans. This carefully researched and provocative account of the formative years of the USSR will be invaluable to all scholars of Soviet history and government.This study of Soviet politics and society under the New Economic Policy is the first to relate local problems directly to changing central ideological views during the crucial early years of the Soviet state. Pethybridge makes an extensive examination of five Russian and minority localities in 1922 near the outset of the NEP, and again at its height in 1926. His analysis indicates that under the early NEP there were two capitals--Moscow for politics and Petrograd for culture. Examining their roles in the workings of the Bolshevik control mechanisms, Pethybridge throws new light on the roles of socio-political agents and potential enemies in Russia's vast hinterland. His carefully researched account of the formative years of the USSR will be invaluable to scholars of Soviet history and government.`his treatment is indeed more comprehensive than that found in most accounts of the period.'Adam B. Ulam, Times Literary Supplement'The potential value of Pethybridge's project is undeniable. And in fact his detailed chapters, which roam the provinces of Smolensk, Tver', Samara and Kazakhstan, contain many vivid insights into local life. The chapters based on Smolensk in particular are enjoyable as well as instructive.'Catherine Merridale, King's College, Cambridge, The Slavonic and East European Review, Vol.69, Part 4`this is an interesting and well researched study which throws light on aspects of NEP society previously little investigated, and thus will be of use to those interested in the period ... this work is a valuable addition to existing studies of NEP with a fresh approach worthy of seriousattention.'Soviet Studies'this is an unusual approach and a welcome attempt to break fresh ground ... Those familiar with Soviet history of the 1920s will learn something here ... it should ... provide signposts for the profitable ventures of future researchers.'John Channon, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, London, EHR Jan '93`This is a vividly written work, rich in detail and suggestion, an impressive continuation of the author's earlier and major studies of Russian social history in the revolutionary era. It is also a sobering reminder that there is nothing very new in the spectacle of a reforming Sovietleadership finding itself in command of a less than wholly responsive or effective administrative system nationwide.'Political Studies`This lengthy book is packed with interesting detail and contains some fascinating bibliographical finds, for which the reader of Russian will be grateful.'Peter Gatrell, European History Review May 92This challenging study of Soviet politics and society under the New Economic Policy is the first to relate local problems directly to changing ideological views during the crucial years of the early Soviet state.Chronology; Introduction; The West; The central; The South-East; Communications; Bolshevik controls; Crossroads in Petrograd; Political reflections on society 1922-1926; The proletariat in theory and practice; Lack of improvement in control over the localities; Smolensk Guberniia in 1926; Tver Guberniia; Kazakhstan; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index'this is an important book ... It is important because it sums up better than any other general work on the period, the social constraints and diversity under which the Soviet government and "society" labored during the NEP.'Anthony Hyman, Central Asian Survey, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1992 (more) (less)

Table of Contents

Chronology
Introduction
The West
The central
The South-East
Communications
Bolshevik controls
Crossroads in Petrograd
Political reflections on society 1922-1926
The proletariat in theory and practice
Lack of improvement in control over the localities
Smolensk Guberniia in 1926
Tver Guberniia
Kazakhstan
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

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