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Social Dimensions of Soviet Industrialization
"This is a fine book, impressive in both quantity and quality." ―Journal of Economic History "The collection stands out as one of the most useful volumes currently available on the Soviet Union in the 1930s." ―Labour History Review "Altogether, this book succeeds in opening up the social history of the Soviet Union in the era of planning for those students and scholars who are ready to advance beyond the old stereotypes." ―ILWCH The pathbreaking essays assembled here examine the complex pattern of relationships between the first Five Year Plans and the society and culture of Stalinist Russia. Discussion focuses on urbanization, social mobility, questions of social identity and the cultural constructions of the industrialization drive, as well as work organization, management relations, and the underlying processes of industrial organization.
- GenresRussia
329 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1993
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February 26, 2024
This was another book I picked up from the university that was giving them away. I just couldn't turn down a social and cultural analysis of Soviet industrialization, especially given my own familial relationship with it as well. I was talking to my mom about it and she was a bit suspicious of how well the analysis would actually be, given how little information was available to the American public about the Soviet Union at the time it was written (which is something a couple essayists point out as well) but ultimately agreed with most of the analysis delivered by this book. The essayists are clearly passionate about Soviet history and excel in constructing a thorough investigation into the Soviet industrialization process, including its dramatic effect on social dynamics at the time of Stalin's reign.
Off the bat, it's clear this book was written by and for academics. I'm not unfamiliar with the style itself, but despite my tentative interest and personal connection to Soviet history, there were still some things that went over my head. That's not meant to be a critique, though. The essayists had a clear audience in mind and delivered on it. I only mention it so other readers know this is not the type of book you can just jump into without some prior knowledge of the subject at hand. Once you do get an understanding of what is being researched, though, it's extremely worth it. The book starts aptly with social dynamics that existed between the countryside and the city and the incentives agricultural workers were given to work for urban industry. This leads into further discussion about the social structure of Soviet industries and dynamics between the workers, foremen (essentially lower managers), higher management, technical specialists, and political leaders. My personal favorite had to be the essay written by Hiroaki Kuromiya about the coal mining industry and the unusual dynamics that appeared there, with workers denying managerial positions to avoid being spit or cursed at. The book wraps up with an explanation of how the Soviet Union tried to contend with social issues brought about by industrialization, the cultural effects, and finally, the importance of analyzing its decline. I immensely enjoyed the essays on criminal justice and the cultural aspect spurred by Soviet industry and its politics as well.
Really, I only have a few criticisms for the essays presented in this book, and I'm hesitant to even call them criticisms given most of them can be explained by the time period this book was written. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't at least one essay or really a lot of mention of the Holodomor (Ukrainian famine) that occurred. It's mentioned here and there, but it's given much less significance than you would think, given its impact on collectivization and the agricultural economy of the Soviet Union in general. I was also surprised how little attention ethnic ties and divisions played a role in these essays. Again, it's mentioned here and there but only as a way to describe demographically the composition of certain industrial plants. I feel like there's a lot that can be said about how certain ethnicities would be affected socially by Soviet industrialization, but it barely gets a footnote here. There was a good amount on how gender was affected, though, which pleasantly surprised me. Despite my slight dissatisfaction about the lack of analysis for these subjects, I think overall, the essayists did a really good job giving this subject the investigation and care it deserved. It was extremely informative and presented me with information I certainly wouldn't have learned on my own!
Off the bat, it's clear this book was written by and for academics. I'm not unfamiliar with the style itself, but despite my tentative interest and personal connection to Soviet history, there were still some things that went over my head. That's not meant to be a critique, though. The essayists had a clear audience in mind and delivered on it. I only mention it so other readers know this is not the type of book you can just jump into without some prior knowledge of the subject at hand. Once you do get an understanding of what is being researched, though, it's extremely worth it. The book starts aptly with social dynamics that existed between the countryside and the city and the incentives agricultural workers were given to work for urban industry. This leads into further discussion about the social structure of Soviet industries and dynamics between the workers, foremen (essentially lower managers), higher management, technical specialists, and political leaders. My personal favorite had to be the essay written by Hiroaki Kuromiya about the coal mining industry and the unusual dynamics that appeared there, with workers denying managerial positions to avoid being spit or cursed at. The book wraps up with an explanation of how the Soviet Union tried to contend with social issues brought about by industrialization, the cultural effects, and finally, the importance of analyzing its decline. I immensely enjoyed the essays on criminal justice and the cultural aspect spurred by Soviet industry and its politics as well.
Really, I only have a few criticisms for the essays presented in this book, and I'm hesitant to even call them criticisms given most of them can be explained by the time period this book was written. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't at least one essay or really a lot of mention of the Holodomor (Ukrainian famine) that occurred. It's mentioned here and there, but it's given much less significance than you would think, given its impact on collectivization and the agricultural economy of the Soviet Union in general. I was also surprised how little attention ethnic ties and divisions played a role in these essays. Again, it's mentioned here and there but only as a way to describe demographically the composition of certain industrial plants. I feel like there's a lot that can be said about how certain ethnicities would be affected socially by Soviet industrialization, but it barely gets a footnote here. There was a good amount on how gender was affected, though, which pleasantly surprised me. Despite my slight dissatisfaction about the lack of analysis for these subjects, I think overall, the essayists did a really good job giving this subject the investigation and care it deserved. It was extremely informative and presented me with information I certainly wouldn't have learned on my own!
Displaying 1 of 1 review