Economy and Politics Under Brezhnev

1. Economy and Politics Under Brezhnev

2. Introduction to Economy • By 1976, Soviet model already showing signed of crisis • Had been masked by things like Sputnik, first man in space, aid to allies, development of high-tech weaponry

3. Planned Economy • 1928, Stalin first Five-Year Plan for ‘socialism in one country’ • Had not been the world-wide revolution Lenin had predicted • Gosplan • 1955, Khrushchev reformed with modernization • Didn’t really work, hard-liners skeptical • Overthrown in 1964

4. Soviet Economy From 1964-70 • Brezhnev first secretary, Alexei Kosygin prime minister • Time characterized by stagnation • Some attempts at industrial reform by Kosygin • Revived Khrushchev’s push for autonomy in factories • Took control from party, received opposition • Brezhnev obstructed him, argued for agricultural buildup over industry, actually led to increases • Kosygin’s plan worked for a while, but then returned to centralization

5. Brezhnev’s Policies 1970-76 • Early 70s, Soviets seemed strong, militarily and industrially • Brezhnev maintained kolkhozy collectives • 9th Five-Year Plan 1971-75, expanded production of light consumer goods • 1973, oil crisis, boom in raw materials, opportunity to reform Soviet economy, did not

6. 10th Five-Year Plan (1976-80) • Gold, oil and gas producer • 1976, called for further consolidation of kolkhozy, but many operating at a loss due to costs • Brezhnev raised wages, kept workers happy • Still problems, 1979 have to buy from N. America • Brezhnev just increased state investment, not a solution • Showed real signs of industrial slowdown, less production then planned • 1979, decree on industry, still decline • Little fresh thinking, did create ‘associations’ • Still problems with workers • Brezhnev continued movement toward consumer goods, but slowed again in 1976

7. Social Developments and Developed Socialism • Many aspects of life improved under Brezhnev • Social wages improved • Trade unions opened opportunities • Social mobility slowed • Other social problems • Despite problems in 1966, Soviets thought they were in a second phase called “developed socialism”

8. Economic Reforms 1982-85 • Brezhnev died in 1982, second-longest tenure • Admitted in 1981 there were economic difficulties • Had considered becoming closer to China to improve security • Sec. of Ideology Yuri Andropov had been posturing • Supported by Minister of Defence, rather than Konstantin Chernenko who had support of PM Tikhanov • Military coup?

9. Andropov and Reform • Had been Hungarian ambassador in 1956, seen attempts at reform • Was KGB, had accurate info on what was working • Did not want to end Soviet system, just modify it • Campaigns against absenteeism, alcoholism • Tried to make his camp younger, avoid Brezhnev’s ‘drift’ • Protégé Gorbachev • More power to managers, rewards for production, similar to Kosygin • 1983, contradicted ‘developed socialism’ • Died in Feb. 1984, not enough time

10. Chernenko and ‘Drift’ • Andropov hoped for Gorbachev to replace him • Those opposed to reforms, Brezhnevites, decided on Konstantin Chernenko, 72, old • Probably due to his weaknesses • ‘Look before you leap’ • Limited changes • Increased defense budget • Against corruption • Chernenko ill in 1984 • Govt. run by defense minister Dimitri Ustinov and Gorbachev • Gorbachev taking ideological control • Became general-secretary in 1985

11. Impact of Cold War on Economy • Impact of arms race meant limited industrial and agricultural reforms • Spent twice as much proportionally to the US • Arms industry known as ‘steel eaters’ • May have been the point of ending détente • Threat of US meant limited reforms until Gorbachev

12. Introduction to Politics • After 1976, somewhere in transition between socialism and capitalism • Battle between party control and economic control • Failure to recognize problems during Brezhnev meant problems later

13. Brezhnev’s Early Consolidation • After Khrushchev, cant be PM and CPSU leader • Brezhnev first secretary, Kosygin PM, Nikolai Podgorny became head of state • Khrushchev’s reforms reversed • Brezhnev asserted dominance, title to general-secretary • Sought stability

14. Nomenklatura and Brezhnev Mafia • Nomenklatura a long list of reliable members • Also helped to have a sponsor • Top-heavy with aging hardliners • Brezhnev Mafia, men working with him since 40s • 1978, average age was 68 • Favored continuation • Did remove potential threats like Podgorny, took presidency • Able to block Kosygin’s reforms • Supporters appreciated stability after Stalin and Khrushchev

15. Cult of Personality • 1976, ‘universally acclaimed leader’ • 1980, gave himself Second Order • Evidence were 1982 elections, right before his death, no changes

16. Party Stagnation and Corruption • Conservatism had an impact on membership • Brezhnev also made stricter requirements • KGB noted increasing corruption • Younger members appalled, public had less respect

17. Developed Socialism • Khrushchev had sought true classless society • Had even envisioned multi-party state • Brezhnev reversed mass political involvement • The educated became frustrated • 1971, ‘Developed socialism’ meant construction stage was over, became spoken of less and less

18. Brezhnev Constitution • 1977, 60th Anniversary of 1936 Constitution • Declared developed status • CPSU the leading force • Had been intended to introduce socialist democracy, contained various freedoms • Not really present

19. Dissidents • Some pushed limits as Soviets would not go back to harshness of Stalin • Brezhnev tightened some controls, treated dissidents as spies or psychologically disturbed • 1966, limits on ‘false information’, attitudes further hardened after Prague Spring in 68 • Standards of living meant some acceptance so opposition may have been limited • Some underground material • 1975 Helsinki Accords were a boost • Many saw progress was being halted

20. Nationalism • Dissent in Eastern Europe – Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Afghanistan • Brezhnev uses media to dismiss them • Gorbachev will not be able to handle these movements

21. Brezhnev’s Foreign Policies • Economic pressures meant Brezhnev sought improved relations with the West • Also playing against China • Czech invasion of 68 initially made détente difficult • Kosygin tried to improve West relations • Brezhnev needed bargaining power, continued buildup while opening talks • SALT in 1970 • 1976 US decided to begin ending détente

22. Eastern Europe and Afghanistan • Brezhnev needed buffer of Eastern Europe • Motivated response to Hungarian Uprising and Prague Spring • Brezhnev Doctrine in Comecon allies • Poland borrowed from Western banks • Solidarity formed in 1980 by Lech Walesa • Revolution in government • Solidarity sent away • Other Eastern European states began relationships with West • Soviet invasion of Afghanistan an example of Brezhnev Doctrine in 1979

23. Andropov and Politics • Made changes on lower levels to push through reforms • Tough stance on corruption to weaken Brezhnev appointees • Had no plans for fundamental changes though, arrested the ‘Russian New Left’ • Had experience with dissenters as former head of KGB • Did encourage normal citizens to voice concerns, less arbitrary arrests • Conservative approach to foreign policy, did not withdraw from Afghanistan • Reduced space program and suggested further arms control

24. Chernenko and Politics • Brezhnevite, won out over Gorbachev • Maintained his conservatism, limited personnel changes • Continued countering corruption, hard line on dissent • Tried to resume détente, Reagan’s Star Wars made it impossible • Gorbachev made himself a champion of reform and military reduction, takes power when Chernenko died in 85

25. Paper 1 Practice, Question 1 AHow successful were economic reforms under Brezhnev?

26. Paper 2 Outline Practice • How did Brezhnev’s style of rule contribute to the developing political crisis of the Soviet Union up to 1982?