First published in 1940, Stalin’s Russia is a close study of the development of the Stalinist regime and the flaws in socialist doctrine that made it possible. The book examines the contrasts between the "free and equal" society heralded by the Marxist-Leninist programme and the totalitarian state that emerged in its place. It makes use of a wealth of material to cast light on the inner workings of Stalin’s regime. It explores the significance of the Stalin-Hitler pact, and argues that the word "socialism" itself became a liability to any genuine movement of liberation as a result.

A new translation from the original Russian manuscript with a new afterword by the translator and a timeline of Stalin's life and works. In one of his last works written in 1952, Stalin addresses various economic challenges facing the Soviet Union in its pursuit of socialism. He discusses topics ranging from commodity production under socialism to the role of the law of value, offering insights and solutions based on Marxist-Leninist theory.

No

Placing Stalinism in its international context, The Stalinist Era explains the origins and consequences of Soviet state intervention and violence.

Published originally as "The Soviet System in Crisis - a Reader of Western and Soviet Views", this revised edition offers a discussion of the transformation of communism under Gorbachev and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. A wide variety of views is represented.

Communist dictatorship rests not only on a police regime supported by terror. As this writer tried to explain in his previous work, Soviet Law and Soviet Society, the Communist regime is founded to a large degree on the economic dependence of all citizens on the State, as an universal monopolist and a single employer. It is impossible to support such a regime by means of coercion only. Communism tries therefore to impress people with its achievements and to suggest great expectations. It declares itself infallible and invincible. The decay of Communism starts when its achievements cease to satisfy people, when its promises do not raise enthusiasm, and its infallibility becomes exposed; when people begin to understand that the Communist philosophy is based on illusions and its regime is vicious and despotic. When this occurs then coercion proves to be more and more inefficient, and it becomes more and more difficult to secure the people's support. The government begins to feel that the roles are changed and that it is the govern ment which depends on the people rather than the people on the government.

Written shortly before his death, this work is regarded as Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's political testament. Far more than just a dry theoretical economic discussion, this book provides a fascinating and unique insight into the economic, social and political thinking of the man who led the Communist juggernaut from 1924 to 1953. Directed to internal Communist Party comrades in response to discussions on the economy of the Soviet Union, this work details Stalin's interpretation of the basic economic laws of modern capitalism and socialism, the character of economic laws under Soviet style socialism, commodity production, the "law of value" and the "elimination of the antithesis and distinctions between town and country and mental and physical labour." Finally, Stalin presents what he predicted would be the "deepening crisis of the world capitalist system" and the "inevitability of wars between capitalist countries." While much of Stalin's predictions were wholly incorrect, parts of his critique of capitalism proved valid and were borne out by developments long after his time. A fascinating historical document, first published in Red China in 1972.