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Coercion, Corruption, and Reform: State and Society in the Soviet-Type Socialist Regime

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  • Antoni Z. Kaminski

Abstract

This paper offers an institutional and evolutionary interpretation of the Soviet-type state. Coercion, corruption and reform are treated as three distinct principles organizing the system of rule and the developmental potential of the state. The strong reliance on coercion characteristic of Stalin's period gave way to the corruption of the society by the elites, and vice versa. This mutual adjustment between the ruling classes and the society is one of the reasons for the declining efficiency of the Soviet-type regimes, particularly in the economic domain. The solution to this is the market reform and political changes that are necessary to make it work. The reform problem is examined from two perspectives: (1) the Soviet world system; (2) internal factors that help or block the reform efforts. The general theoretical analysis is illustrated with a discussion of the Hungarian, Polish and Czechoslovak cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Antoni Z. Kaminski, 1989. "Coercion, Corruption, and Reform: State and Society in the Soviet-Type Socialist Regime," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 1(1), pages 77-102, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:1:y:1989:i:1:p:77-102
    DOI: 10.1177/0951692889001001006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kornai, Janos, 1986. "The Hungarian Reform Process: Visions, Hopes, and Reality," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 24(4), pages 1687-1737, December.
    2. Bauer, Tamas, 1987. "Reforming or perfectioning the economic mechanism," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-2), pages 132-138.
    3. Làszlòs Csaba, 1985. "Joint investments and mutual advantages in the CMEA—retrospection and prognosis," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 227-247.
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