Socialism in Russia : Lenin and His Legacy, 1890-1991

This ground-breaking analysis confronts us with three fundamental questions on the socialist experiment in Russia: How did Marxist ideas come to be implemented in Russia, a country entirely unsuited to them? Why did the experiment lead to such suffering and upheaval and prove so fruitless? And why did the attempt to return to a proper Marxism//Leninism bring about the rapid collapse of Soviet Russia?In order to answer these questions, John Gooding examines the legacy of Lenin. In particular he investigates the two conflicting posthumous views on Lenin's character. On the one hand, Lenin was perceived - largely due to Stalin - as a godlike figure, embodying the omniscience and might of the party. On the other, he was known - mainly amongst intellectuals and later perestroika reformers - as a Marxist idealist, an anti-Stalinist and a democrat. It was this latter perception, the author argues, that brought the socialist experiment in Russia to its disastrous conclusion. This Study Raises Three Fundamental Questions About The Socialist Experiment In Russia: How Did Marxist Ideas Come To Be Implemented In Russia, A Country Entirely Unsuited To Them? Why Did The Experiment Lead To Such Suffering And Upheaval And Prove So Fruitless? And Why Did The Attempt To Return To A Proper Marxism-leninism Bring About The Rapid Collapse Of Soviet Russia? In Anwering These Questions John Gooding Devotes Considerable Attention To Lenin's Legacy. In Particular He Examines Two Conflicting Posthumous Views Of The Soviet Leader. On The One Hand, Lenin Was Perceived - Largely Due To Stalin - As A Godlike Figure, Embodying The Onmiscience And Might Of The Party. On The Other, He Was Known - Mainly Among Intellectuals And Later Perestroika Reformers - As A Marxist Idealist, An Anti-stalinist And A Democrat. This Latter Perception, The Author Argues, Did Much To Bring The Socialist Experiment In Russia To Its Disastrous Conclusion.--jacket. 1. Before Lenin -- 2. The Vision, 1890-1917 -- 3. The Realization, 1917-24 -- 4. After Lenin, 1924-9 -- 5. Stalin's Socialism, 1929-53 -- 6. Onward To Communism, 1953-64 -- 7. A Problem Of Credibility, 1964-85 -- 8. The Alternative Tradition -- 9. A New Socialism, 1985-91 -- Conclusion. John Gooding. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book asks three fundamental questions about the socialist experiment in twentieth-century Russia: How did Marxist ideas come to be implemented in Russia, a country entirely unsuited to them? Why did the experiment lead to such suffering and upheaval and prove so fruitless? And why did the attempt to return to a proper Marxism/Leninism bring about the rapid collapse of the experiment. In its answers, this book pays special attention to the shadow cast by Lenin throughout the entire Soviet era. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-18 Before Lenin....Pages 19-33 The Vision, 1890–1917....Pages 34-61 The Realization, 1917–24....Pages 62-96 After Lenin, 1924–9....Pages 97-117 Stalin’s Socialism, 1929–53....Pages 118-144 Onward to Communism, 1953–64....Pages 145-170 A Problem of Credibility, 1964–85....Pages 171-186 The Alternative Tradition....Pages 187-209 A New Socialism, 1985–91....Pages 210-245 Conclusion....Pages 246-253 Back Matter....Pages 254-287 Cover 1 Contents 6 Preface 7 Introduction 10 1 Before Lenin 28 2 The Vision, 1890–1917 43 3 The Realization, 1917–24 71 4 After Lenin, 1924–9 106 5 Stalin’s Socialism, 1929–53 127 6 Onward to Communism, 1953–64 154 7 A Problem of Credibility, 1964–85 180 8 The Alternative Tradition 196 9 A New Socialism, 1985–91 219 Conclusion 255 Notes 263 Bibliography 275 Index 287 Socialism in Russia began with Alexander Herzen, who escaped from Russia in 1847 to seek revolution in the west but in exile discovered the socialist potential of the country he had left behind.