Preface.- The Russian Problem.- A Century of Revolution I: For Communism.- A Century of Revolution II: Revolution and Power.- A Century of Revolution III: Against Communism.- The Challenge of Modernisation.- State-building.- One Russia or Many?.- Society-forming.- Democratisation.- Russia, the World and War.- Russia and the Twentieth Century.- Notes and References.- Select Bibliography.- Index.
RICHARD SAKWA is Professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent, UK. He has published widely on Soviet, Russian and post-communist affairs.
After the Revolution in October 1917, Soviet Russia tried to establish an alternative form of social organization based on the ideology of communism and the practices of Soviet democracy. This system inspired millions and achieved the industrialization of Russia, but ultimately it failed. The dissolution of the communist order by 1991 was accompanied by the disintegration of the country.
Communism in Russia: • provides a fresh, clear and concise view of the history of communism and Russia in the twentieth century, and the interaction of the two • offers an original analysis combining the history of an ideology and the fate of a nation • traces the connections and tensions between communist ideology and Russian realities, and explains the reasons for the collapse of the system • Incorporates the latest research and scholarship on the subject.