Modernization, Industrialization, Urbanization…

Modernization Theory as Ideology

In the distinction between modern and traditional societies, the U.S is the epitome of modern societyIn the U.S. during the 1950s, Modernization Theory becomes academic orthodoxy and government policy

Marxist Stages of Development

Primitive Communal or Tribal (Asiatic Mode of Production)Ancient or ClassicalFeudalCapitalist

Marxist Stages of Development

By producing material subsistence, men indirectly produce their material lifeEarly Marx: Fixed StagesMid Marx: Consideration of all possible systemsLate Marx: No Fixed Series; Possibility of Direct Advance

Imperialism, communism, and the ‘development age’

“The old imperialism – exploitation for foreign profit – has no place in our plans. What we envisage is a program of development based on the concepts of democratic fair-dealing.”

President Truman’s ‘Point Four’ 1948

Lenin Critique of Imperialism“the highest stage of capitalism.”

- predatory capitalism

- monopoly control

-concentration of production

-finance capital-export of capital

- poor and exploited working class

- rivalry among capitalist states

- domination of peripheral nations

-parasitism and decay (crisis)

Vladimir I. Lenin (Revolution-1924)

The Bolshevik Revolution (1917)Partial nationalization Creation of Gosplan NEP (1921)

From World Revolution to Communism in One Country(1)

1913: Duty to help oppressed nationalities; obligation to resist nationalismAfter 1917: Establishment of large, multinational state; regional self-government and cultural self-development

“You have to work, but keep your rifle at hand”

War communism

-mass mobilization for industry

-imperialism

-Western containment

“Join the red forces to get a better life” A poster by Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893 - 1930) "If you want something - Join up" from the year 1921

Successful Mass Literacy Campaign

Learn to read! A poster by Alexei Radakov (1879 - 1942) "He who is illiterate is like a blind man. Failure and misfortune lie in wait for him on al sides" 1920.

From World Revolution to Communism in One Country(2)

Under Stalin:Nationalism and Mass Patriotism; Semi-Autonomous National Regions (often constructed); Russianization (language) and Russification (identity)

Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin 1924 -1953

Continues NEPAdministrative Command Economy5 Year PlansFull Nationalization of Industry and Agriculture CollectivizationComecon (reconstruction, quotas)

CENTRALLY PLANNED ECONOMIES (CPE)

Pressure Economy-forced accumulation

Central Control-Political Planning

Extensive Development-rapid growth and industrialization

Closed Economy-Insulated

Giants of the Five Year Plan

CENTRAL PLANNING

State ownership of enterprises. Workers were state employees. Planned production targets and supply of inputs.Managers were administrators of state property and enforcers of the output plans.Planning Takes Place in Phases (5 Year Plans)

CHAIN OF COMMAND: TOP DOWN

The Communist Party sets the “control figures” - general instructions GOSPLAN (State Planning Committee) - translates them into plan targets and creates material and product balances.The instructions are sent to enterprises and to the relevant party structures:

Successes of Central Planning

IndustrializationEducationInfrastructureTechnological Development

Orthodox and revisionist Historiography

Problems of Central Planning

Lack of Operational FlexibilityResources Were Not Rationally AllocatedRequires ExpansionIntentional Inaccuracy-Capacity HiddenNeed for Resources OverestimatedSocial Costs (Slavery, Worker Welfare, etc.)Resource Intensive (shortages)No Incentive to Increase Production or Raise Productivity

What kept the system in place during the Stalin period (1927-1953) ?

Managers: fear of loosing life or being sent to a labor camp as an “enemy of the state”.Workers: under-performer was the enemy of the state. Unemployment was illegal (hooligan laws).Enemies of the state ( est. 12-16 million) worked in the labor camps, mines, populated Siberia and about 4,000 labor camps.

Appeal to the Postcolony

Philosophy of LiberationDirect Economic Subsidy (Capital)Indirect Economic Intervention (Development, etc.)Military AssistanceAuthoritarian Political Structure