The Dilemmas of Destalinisation A Social and Cultural History of Reform in the Khrushchev Era (Basees Curzon Series on Russian & East European Studies)

The Khrushchev era is increasingly seen as a period in its own right, and not just as 'post-Stalinism' or a forerunner of subsequent 'thaws' and 'reform from within'. This book provides a comprehensive history of reform in the period, focusing especially on social and cultural developments. Since the opening of the former Soviet archives, much new information has become available casting light on how far official policies correlated with popular views. Overall the book appraises how far 'Destalinization' went; and whether developments in the period represented a real desire for reform, or rather an attempt to fortify the Soviet system, but on different lines. Introduction : The Dilemmas Of De-stalinization / Polly Jones -- 1. 'show The Bandit-enemies No Mercy!' : Amnesty, Criminality And Public Response In 1953 / Miriam Dobson -- 2. From The Secret Speech To The Burial Of Stalin : Real And Ideal Responses To De-stanlinization / Polly Jones -- 3. 'democracy' Or 'despotism'? : How The Secret Speech Was Translated Into Everyday Life / Susanne Schattenberg -- 4. Naming The Social Evil : The Readers Of Novyi Mir And Vladimir Dudintsev's Not By Bread Alone, 1956-59 And Beyond / Denis Kozlov -- 5. Forging Citizenship On The Home Front : Reviving The Socialist Contract And Constructing Soviet Identity During The Thaw / Christine Varga-harris. Edited By Polly Jones. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [267]-275) And Index. Providing a comprehensive history of reform in the Khrushchev era, this book focuses specifically on social and cultural developments. It appraises how far 'Destalinization' went and whether developments in the period represented a real desire for reform, or rather an attempt to fortify the Soviet system, but on different lines.