Destalinisation and the Question of the Reformability of the Soviet Union

Graeme Gill

Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 2010, vol. 18, issue 2, 127-143

Abstract: The failure of Gorbachev's attempt to reform the Soviet Union lies in the shape of destalinisation as implemented by Khrushchev and the reaction to this by leading elements in the party and state. Khrushchev had sought to replace the Stalinist method of steering the state by a new one emphasising greater regularity of the institutional structure, increased threats to officials, a new range of incentives for officials, and his own personal dominance. In this sense he rejected some aspects of Stalinism while modifying others. However in their implementation, these measures produced incoherence and reluctance on the part of officials to grapple meaningfully with pressing issues. A sense of drift accompanied the reluctance to countenance reform, making Gorbachev's task even greater than it would otherwise have been.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1080/0965156X.2010.509096

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