theme 5 essay writing

  • Para 1: Main arguement in Q

    • Strengths/weaknesses of the arguement- mainly extract 1- cross reference

  • Para 2: Counter arguement

    • strengths/weaknesses of the arguement- mainly extract 2- cross reference

  • Para 3: another counter-arguement

    • brief look

  • Conclusion- evaluation of question and wider context

  • P1:Nove ‘Formidable obstacles’ - both in system and then failure of reforms inacted by G

    • ‘masses were accustomed to, and valued, low priced necessities and job security’, ‘improved economic efficiency required a break with such practices' = developed socialism, ‘we pretend to work, they pretend to pay us’, era of stagnation

    • ‘Millions of Soviet citiznes accustomed to old system’= caused chaos when govt subsidies cut

    • ‘management used to having customers designated by central planning’ (Cooperatives = inflation 1988) fundamental issues with command economy, ‘bureaucrats did and could obstruct change’ e.g Leningrad officials

    • BUT - obstacles HOW DO EXPLAIN FAILURE OF PERESTROIKA = FOCUS

    • ‘serious economic policy errors’ ‘task altogether impossible’

      • 12YP 1986-90 (Uskorenie) ‘budget deficit’ (investment in foreign tech = exchange deficit, overspending on Afghan war, oil dependency) 1985-6 2.4% to 6.2% govt deficit

    • Bell talks about impossibility to introducing ‘socialist-style market econoimy without letting market dominate’- led to corruption e.g cooperatives

  • P2- Role of Gorbachev- ‘Gorbachev gambled everything on the reform of the Soviet system

    • ‘decision to repeal article 6 of the constitution’

    • ‘removed political monopoly of Soviet CP’

    • ‘creation of new post of president of Soviet Union’

    • ‘ideological crisis’ (Glasnost- Katyn massacre, atrocities ofwar- undermined confidence in failing system)

  • P3- Role of nationalism