This early work by Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains his analysis of Socialism, the Soviet State and Economics of Russia during the early twentieth century. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in Russian history and the politics of Trotsky. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This Work, By A Leader Of The Bolshevik Party And Of The October Revolution And Founder Of The Red Army, Examines The Internal Contradiction Of The Soviet Society In The 1930 S. It Would Fulfill A Long Standing Demand, Created Due To The Unavailability Of The Book In This Part Of The World And A Renewed Interest, Throughout The World, In The Legacy Of Trotsky, Especially Since The Collapse Of Actually Existing Socialism In The Ussr And Eastern Europe. The Indian Edition Of This Book Is Published As A Result Of The Initiative Taken By Iims (Indian Institute Of Marxist Studies), Kolkata. Launched In A Milieu Of A Confusing Currents And Cross-Currents On The Theory And Practice Of Marxism In The Aftermath Of The Soviet Collapse, Iims Owned The Tasks Of Charting Out A Determined Yet Accommodative And Flexible Course In For The Marxists. The Iims, When Floated As A Concept, Had The Crucial Role Of Trying To Bring Together Left Intelligentsia On A Common Platform So That Through Debates And Discussions Everyone Is Able To Work For A Dynamic Class Agenda Against A Common Enemy. The Fundamental Task Posed To The Marxists Today Is To Prove Once Again That Socialism Is The Only Viable Alternative To Capitalism. The Indian Edition Of 'The Revolution Betrayed' Is Published From That Orientation To Initiate The Debate Regarding The Fate Of Former Soviet Union, Today S China And Other Socialist States . This New Edition Features An Introduction Written With An Objective Of Reorienting The Theoretical Debate Within The Indian Left.

The Revolution Betrayed is one of the most important Marxist texts of all time. It is the only serious Marxist analysis of what happened to the Russian Revolution after the death of Lenin. In this book, Trotsky provided a brilliant and profound analysis of Stalinism, which has never been improved upon, let alone superseded. With a delay of 60 years, it was completely vindicated by history. Without a thorough knowledge of this work, it is impossible to understand the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union and the events since then in Russia and on a world scale. This remarkable work predicted the fate of the USSR down to the last detail. In the period of so-called market reform, Russia experienced the biggest collapse in world economic history. Just in the first five years alone, the economy contracted by a staggering sixty percent. Such a drop is unprecedented in economic history. It was like a catastrophic defeat in war. The collapse of the USSR has led to social disintegration. The elements of barbarism have all reappeared. Poverty, beggary, drunkenness, drug addiction, prostitution, crime, epidemics have spread to an unparalleled degree. Sections of the youth are affected by lumpenisation. At the same time, the mafia capitalists have accrued massive wealth by plundering the former nationalised industries as well as the rich sources of oil and other resources. The bureaucratic degeneration of the Soviet Union and its eventual fall must be carefully studied, if we are to be able to answer the questions of the workers and youth. And the best explanation that can be found is in the pages of this wonderful classic of Marxism. Only the restoration of a nationalised planned economy can create the conditions for a revival of Russia’s colossal productive potential. But this cannot mean a return to the old Stalinist regime. Only a regime of real workers’ democracy, along the lines of October 1917, can provide Russia with a way out of the present impasse. As Trotsky points out in a most graphic and profound passage from The Revolution Betrayed, a nationalised planned economy needs democracy as the human body needs oxygen.

In Freedom Betrayed, Michael Ledeen weaves together key moments in the fall of communism with the skill of a born storyteller. His insider's knowledge of the interplay of complex personalities and Byzantine strategies makes a compelling narrative - a narrative enlivened by his wit and flair for the dramatic. He observes that just when democracy seemed everywhere triumphant - with the fall of antidemocratic regimes in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa - our leaders failed those fledgling democracies, first by misunderstanding the monumental achievement of that triumph and second by not providing the political, legal, and entrepreneurial know-how and support the new democrats so desperately needed.

This collection of lectures by world-renowned philosopher Agnes Heller, edited and introduced by John Grumley, covers a range of political and cultural issues, from the highly topical to modern classics.