Communism and Development (Routledge Revivals) by Robert Bideleux

by Robert Bideleux

First published in 1985, this book provides a comprehensive reappraisal of the diverse Communist development strategies that shaped the twentieth century. Robert Bideleux emphasises the appalling human and economic costs of the most widely adopted 'Stalinist' strategies of forced industrialisation and rural collectivisation. He also reconsiders the powerful arguments in favour of the most feasible and cost-effective alternatives to Stalinism, including 'village communisms' and 'market socialisms'. A highly readable and challenging study, this reissue will be of particular value to students with research interests in Development Studies, East European History and Politics.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Colin Bruce Anthes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rigorous book at an important time that is, unfortunately, barely known. I suspect this wasn't more widely distributed because Bideleux was critical of state communist modes of development without swinging into Cold War hysteria, making him easy for advocates of both to ignore. His scholarship caters to a small democratic readership maintaining interest in the many neglected people of rural communities.