Political Problems: The Sectoral Dimension

Abstract

The 5523 instructions on which the present study is based all deal with problems in Soviet politics. Degree of thoroughness varies, but almost all the instructions explicitly or implicitly register some fault, attempt a rudimentary diagnosis of the nature or most likely causes of the shortcoming, and indicate what must be done and who ought to do it. These components can be kept separate analytically, but to do so in the present discussion would result in pointless repetitions; faults, causes and solutions are often mentioned in the same breath. We shall instead examine Soviet political problems in three distinct divisions. In this chapter, the problems of the various economic sectors will be considered. The next chapter will treat the geographical distribution of the problems, and finally we shall turn to the role of political institutions in Pravda’s diagnoses and strategies.