The Socialist Register 1988
Problems of Socialist Renewal: East & West

Miliband, Ralph, Panitch, Leo, Saville, John

Publisher:  Merlin, London, England
Year Published:  1988   First Published:  1988
Pages:  448pp   ISBN:  0-85036-355-1
Book Type:  Yearbooks
Active Serial
Dewey:  355'.005
Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX3760

An examination of the prospects for socialism written shortly before the fall of the Soviet Union.


Abstract:  Events in the Soviet bloc are moving with astonishing rapidity, and following them through the mainstream media is a frustrating task, because the media are so blatantly ideological in their approach, and simultaneously so ill-formed, that they are rarely able to produce analyses that actually make sense of what is happening. This volume is welcome because the essays it contains offer a much more in-depth look at the actual dynamics of "socialist" societies and parties. Several essays also look at the prospects of socialists in the West, admitting that "the Left is doing badly and faces formidable challenges", but also suggesting that things can be done broaden support for progressive social change. Articles in this volume include Gorbachev and the Dynamics of Change, War and Revolution in Nicaragua, and Social Movements and Class Politics in the United States.

Subject Headings

• Communism
• Communist Movement & Parties
• Social Democracy
• Socialism
• Warsaw Pact