Western Marxism and the Soviet Union: A Survey of Critical Theories and Debates Since 1917 (Historical Materialism Book Series, Band 17)

Marcel van der Linden (1952) is Research Director of the International Institute of Social History and Professor in the History of Social Movements at the University of Amsterdam.

If the Soviet Union did not have a socialist society, then how should its nature be understood? The present book presents the first comprehensive appraisal of the debates on this problem, which was so central to twentieth-century Marxism.

Preface 1. Introduction 2. From the October Revolution to the Stalin era (1917-29) 2.i. Kautsky and the Bolsheviks: three controversies Kautsky versus Lenin Kautsky versus Trotsky Kautsky versus Bukharin 2.ii. Levi, Luxemburg and the Bolsheviks: criticism and counter-criticism Levi Luxemburg Interpretations Zetkin, Lukacs, and Kautsky 2.iii. Left-communist criticisms Gorter, Pannekoek, Ruhle Korsch 2.iv. Summary 3. From Stalin's 'Great Leap Forwards' to the 'Great Patriotic War' (1929-41) 3.i. State capitalism Miasnikov Adler Wagner Worrall Pollock 3.ii. Trotsky: the theory of the degenerated workers' state 3.iii. Theories of a new mode of production Laurat Weil Rizzi Burnham Shachtman Carter Pedrosa Hilferding 3.iv. Criticism Criticism of theories of state capitalism Criticisms of the theory of the degenerated workers' state Criticisms of theories of a new mode of production 3.v. Summary 4. From the 'Great Patriotic War' to the Structural Assimilation of Eastern Europe (1941-56) 4.i. The theory of the degenerated workers' state 4.ii. Theories of state capitalism Grandizo/Peret James/Dunayevskaya Castoriadis/Lefort Cliff Bordiga 4.iii. Theories of a new mode of production Guttmann 4.iv. Interpretations 'without labels Sternberg Cycon Frolich Kofler 4.v. Debates and mutual criticism The Deutscher debate Responses to Burnham Mandel's critique of 'state capitalism' and 'bureaucratic collectivism' 4.vi. Summary 5. From the Twentieth Congress of the CPSU to the Repression of the 'Prague Spring' (1956-68) 5.i. Theories of state capitalism The current around Cliff 5.ii. The theory of the degenerated workers' state 5.iii. Theories of a new mode of production Djilas Kuron/Modzelewski 5.iv. Theories 'without labels' Wittfogel and his critics Marcuse Rosdolsky Boeuve 5.v. Summary 6. From the Repression of the 'Prague Spring' to Perestroika (1968-85) 6.i. Theories of state capitalism Cliff's current Mattick Maoist variants: Holmberg, Bettelheim and his critics The workerist [operaisti] variant 6.ii. The theory of the degenerated workers' state Elaborations Criticisms Mohun's revision 6.iii. Theories of bureaucratic collectivism Stojanovic Critical Rizzi-supporters: Carlo and Melotti Fantham/Machover Sweezy 6.iv. Theories of the new mode of production without a (consolidated) ruling class Pioneers: Arthur, Naville, Alvater/Neususs The debate in Links Dutschke and his critics Zimin Digression: Sohn-Rethel, Damus and the 'social synthesis' Bahro and his critics Schmiederer Ticktin and his critics The Hungarian 'New Left': Bence/Kis (Rakovski), Konrad/Szelenyi, Feher/Heller/Markus Campeanu 6.v. Summary 7. The Collapse and Its Aftermath: From 1985 to the Present 7.i. Theories of (state) capitalism The current around Cliff and its critics Daum and his critics Sapir Chattopadyay and his critics Fernandez 'Aufheben" Sandemose Resnick & Wolff and their critics 7.ii. The theory of the degenerated workers' state 7.iii. Theories of bureaucratic collectivism Loone Brenner and his critics Finger 7.iv. Theories of a new mode of production without a (consolidated) ruling class Furedi Ticktin and his critics Cox Arthur Behrens Campeanu 7.v. Summary 8. In Lieu of a Conclusion 9. Meta-theoretical note References Index