Thinking Like a Communist: State and Legitimacy in the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba - Hardcover

Smith, Tony

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9780393024302: Thinking Like a Communist: State and Legitimacy in the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039302430X ISBN 13: 9780393024302

Publisher: Norton, 1987

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Book by Smith, Tony

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From Publishers Weekly:

In three communist countriesthe Soviet Union, China and Cubaa strong-man ruler (Stalin, Mao, Castro) used a personality cult as the basis for industrializing his country through state planning and mobilization of the rural masses. Tufts professor Smith traces common elements in these societies to Lenin's concept of the vanguard partywhich continually widened the gap between leaders and those led. But there were differences among the three. Unlike the Soviet Union, China and Cuba each relied on ideological campaigns to forge a "new socialist man." Smith intends for readers to understand "what it means to think like a communist" in each society, so he traces each system's roots in Marxist-Leninist thought. Gauging the prospects for reforming each monolithic system from within, he predicts that unless the communist state starts to "wither away," these countries will fall further behind the West and Japan in technology.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

After stating that Communism is the most important ideological force of the 20th century, Smith proceeds to trace the contribution of Marxism-Leninism to the historical record of Communism's triumph in Russia, China, and Cuba. He considers such questions as: How has the doctrine shaped the result? How do those who describe themselves as Marxists see the world and its problems? Smith has some interesting things to say about "the question of Stalin," that uncomfortable legacy which the Gorbachev team is now confronting. Although Smith's treatment of this large topic is at times superficial, he never condescends to the reader. Clearly written, timely, thoughtful, and unafraid of sensitive issues. R.H. Johnston, History Dept., McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ont.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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