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The Gorbachev Phenomenon: A Historical Interpretation
The "Gorbachev phenomenon" is seen as the product of complex developments during the last seventy years―developments that changed the Soviet Union from a primarily agrarian society into an urban, industrial one. Here, for the first time, a noted authority on Soviet society identifies the crucial historical events and social forces that explain Glasnost and political and economic life in the Soviet Union today.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 24, 2026
Lewin examines a little-studied aspect of the Soviet system: social factors. The researcher explains how capitalism failed due to the low rate of urbanization (16%) during the revolution, how the revolution created a “quicksand society” and led to the “ruralization of cities,” and how Stalin seized power by taking advantage of the social turmoil, unstable bureaucracy, and general lack of political experience in this chaotic environment. And yet, despite this, the resulting autocratic government was unable to control social change and bureaucracy.
Pointing out that one of the rare successes of the Soviet system was the emancipation of women, Lewin argues that the family structure and interpersonal relationships were the most important elements that resisted state pressure.
Lewis, based on how Khrushchev was forced to cancel his education “reform,” makes an interesting claim: that the role of public opinion was more significant in the Soviet Union than previously thought.
The researcher also examines Gorbachev's desperate attempts (the alcohol campaign that ended in failure, the glasnost reforms, etc.) to revive the increasingly stagnant Soviet economy and re-energize the apathetic population.
In closing arguments, Lewin emphasizes that Russians are still governed in an agricultural despotic system, and that concurrent with that, its modern urban society is becoming the system-forming force.
A book that I would qualify as slightly above average at most.
Quotes:
“Too much state and too Little social autonomy was one of the causes of the widespread crisis of values.”
“In introducing new policies, plan carefully and above all don’t rush.”
“By the time Gorbachev came to power, the party had been sponsoring the state machine, but in the process the political arm had become an adjunct of the economic machinery rather than the other way around.”
“The triad of power-ideology-culture was becoming bankrupt even faster than the economy.”
Pointing out that one of the rare successes of the Soviet system was the emancipation of women, Lewin argues that the family structure and interpersonal relationships were the most important elements that resisted state pressure.
Lewis, based on how Khrushchev was forced to cancel his education “reform,” makes an interesting claim: that the role of public opinion was more significant in the Soviet Union than previously thought.
The researcher also examines Gorbachev's desperate attempts (the alcohol campaign that ended in failure, the glasnost reforms, etc.) to revive the increasingly stagnant Soviet economy and re-energize the apathetic population.
In closing arguments, Lewin emphasizes that Russians are still governed in an agricultural despotic system, and that concurrent with that, its modern urban society is becoming the system-forming force.
A book that I would qualify as slightly above average at most.
Quotes:
“Too much state and too Little social autonomy was one of the causes of the widespread crisis of values.”
“In introducing new policies, plan carefully and above all don’t rush.”
“By the time Gorbachev came to power, the party had been sponsoring the state machine, but in the process the political arm had become an adjunct of the economic machinery rather than the other way around.”
“The triad of power-ideology-culture was becoming bankrupt even faster than the economy.”
January 5, 2023
Very interesting analysis of the Soviet state and the social problems which were occurring within it. I like how he took the 3 factor approach to how the state can be remedied. Unfortunate that 2 years after publishing this book the forces were too much and the state fully collapsed. Seems like none of the problems he identified were to be fixed with the new Russian government.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews