Today we'll be reading Socialism Betrayed: Behind the Collapse of the Soviet Union by Roger Keeran and Thomas Kenny, read by Leelee Cocodrie

00:00:00 Chapter 1: Introduction

00:26:39 Chapter 2: Two Trends in Soviet Politics

01:59:21 Chapter 3: The Second Economy

02:47:02 Chapter 4: Promise and Foreboding, 1985-86

04:13:24 Chapter 5: Turning Point 1987-88

05:25:00 Chapter 6: Crisis and Collapse, 1989-91

07:11:42 Chapter 7: Conclusions and Implications

08:07:47 Chapter 9: Epilogue

Socialism Betrayed: Behind the Collapse of the Soviet Union" by Roger Keeran and Thomas Kenny is a comprehensive analysis of the factors that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. The authors challenge the prevailing view that the collapse was the result of inherent flaws in the socialist system and instead argue that it was the outcome of a deliberate strategy by a group of Soviet elites to dismantle socialism and embrace capitalist market reforms.

The book provides a detailed account of the economic, political, and social changes that took place in the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 1990s, examining the impact of policies such as perestroika and glasnost. Keeran and Kenny argue that these policies, which were initially intended to revive the Soviet economy and strengthen socialism, ultimately led to its demise. They also explore the role of external factors such as the pressures of global capitalism and the influence of Western powers in hastening the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The authors draw on a wide range of sources, including archival documents, interviews with key figures, and scholarly research, to provide a nuanced and complex understanding of the collapse of the Soviet Union. They argue that the demise of socialism in the Soviet Union was not inevitable, but rather the result of a series of political and economic decisions made by a small group of elites who placed their own interests above those of the people.

Overall, "Socialism Betrayed" is a thought-provoking and insightful analysis of one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. It challenges conventional wisdom about the collapse of the Soviet Union and offers a compelling argument that socialism was not inherently flawed, but rather was betrayed by those who were meant to uphold its principles.

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