Russian History: From Socialism to Capitalism

Catalog description

What changes have occurred in Russia since Stalin's death? How can we explain the collapse of socialism after years of stability under Brezhnev. What did Gorbachev envision for his country? This course will examine the pendulum of reform and reaction that characterized the postwar years, and the final disintegration of the Soviet system. After Stalin died in 1953, a new group of Soviet leaders aimed to eliminate the repression of the Stalinist period and rebuild democratic socialism. This course surveys the reforms of Khrushchev, the reaction against them, the long period of Brezhnev's rule, and the hopeful plans of Gorbachev to reimagine a new socialism. Finally, it examines Gorbachev's loss of control, the ensuing collapse of the Soviet Union, the growth of "wild west" or "gangster" capitalism, and Putin's efforts to stabilize the economy and reassert the power of the state. We will look at the rise of the oligarchs and the impact of the capitalist transition on ordinary people, as well as the emergence of new national (non Soviet) identities and often conflicting generational and class hopes in a period of intense change. The course provides essential background for anyone interested in understanding Russia's place in the world today and its relationship with the West. This course fulfills Dietrich College's "Intercultural and Global Inquiry" general education requirement.