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The Soviet Economy, 1917-1991: Its Life and Afterlife

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  • Harrison, Mark

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

In terms of economic development, Russia before and after the Soviet era was just an average economy. If the Soviet era is distinguished, it was not by economic growth or its contribution to human development, but by the use of the economy to build national power over many decades. In this respect, the Soviet economy was a success. It was also a tough and unequal environment in which to be born, live, and grow old. The Soviet focus on building national capabilities did improve opportunities for many citizens. Most important were the education of women and the increased survival of children. The Soviet economy was designed for the age of mass production and mass armies. That age has gone, but the idea of the Soviet economy lives on, fed by nostalgia and nationalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Harrison, Mark, 2017. "The Soviet Economy, 1917-1991: Its Life and Afterlife," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 327, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:327
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    File URL: https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/centres/cage/manage/publications/327-2017_harrison.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Markevich, Andrei & Harrison, Mark, 2011. "Great War, Civil War, and Recovery: Russia's National Income, 1913 to 1928," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 71(3), pages 672-703, September.
    2. Broadberry,Steve N., 2005. "The Productivity Race," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521023580.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mongin, Philippe, 2019. "Interview of Peter J. Hammond," CRETA Online Discussion Paper Series 50, Centre for Research in Economic Theory and its Applications CRETA.
    2. Franck, Raphaël & Asmus, Gerda, 2022. "State Capacity, National Economic Policies and Local Development: The Russian State in the Southern Urals," CEPR Discussion Papers 17103, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    command economy; communism; economic growth; incentives; power; security; Soviet Union; war economy JEL Classification: H1; N44; P20.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-
    • P20 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - General

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