This volume assembles some of the most experienced observers and analysts of United States-Soviet relations, Soviet affairs, and international relations. The essays assess the dramatic events of the last few years in the Soviet bloc and probe the broader questions of how these events impact the relationship between the two powers. Offering a comprehensive review of this relationship from a variety of perspectives, "Old Myths and New Realities in United States-Soviet RelationS" deals with Washington's and MoscoW's changing perceptions of one another, the impact of GorbacheV's reforms at home on Soviet foreign policy, Soviet policy toward the Third World, the European perspective on changing superpower relations, and Soviet affairs from the perspective of American and British journalists.

The contributors--journalists, members of the academic community, and policy makers from the United States, Western Europe, and the Soviet Union--represent the widest possible range of opinions. Their insights and analyses will bear significantly on the direction of world affairs in the 1990s. Students and scholars of Soviet politics and international relations, as well as journalists and policy makers, will find "Old Myths and New Realities in United States-Soviet RelationS" a source of fresh ideas and insights.

In his new study, Kelley looks at the emergence of what Soviet theorists call a "developed socialist society" and at the recent political, economic, and social developments, up to and including those of the early days of the Gorbachev administration, that are contributing to this newest adaptation of Marxism-Leninism. His central premise is that the Soviet leadership, having arrived at a turning point created by the impact of the scientific and technological revolution, has recognized the inability of existing policies and institutions to meet the needs of a rapidly maturing system. Kelley finds that, both as a theoretical stage in the evolution toward communism and as a reflection of changes in Soviet society, the concept of developed socialism presents a picture of political and social modernization that is in many ways the counterpart of the Western theory of post-industrial society. He also notes a new, seemingly more flexible Soviet approach to ideology as such. The Soviets, he observes, look upon the theory of developed socialism itself as being in an evolving state, treating it as an open-ended model of future economic and social transformation whose outlines are only gradually becoming discernable.

This book deals with Solzhenitsyn and Sakharov as political philosophers, presenting their philosophies in a comparative framework. He sets their dissident activities within the larger framework of the emergence of dissent in contemporary Soviet society. Both men are recognized as the products of their life experiences, their occupations as author and scientist respectively, their views of the social and political legitimacy of the current Soviet regime, and their hopes for the future as expressed in their images of the ideal Soviet society. This work also compares the Solzhenitsyn-Sakharov dialogue to the ongoing debate in western nations about the nature and future of industrial society, and clarifies the ideologies of two key figures in the modern-day Russian dissident movement.

Beginning with Brezhnev era, the author follows the course and development of Soviet leadership--examining the elements of continuity as well as change. He zeroes in on each individual leader and analyzes the economic, social, and international issues faced by each. For instance, Kelly sets the stage for Andropov's succession, discusses strategies for his succession, details Andropov's rise to power, presents the premier's time in power, and finally examines Andropov's decline. Along with pinpointing individual instances of leadership, the author covers the role of the Communist party within Soviet politics, including the theory of party leadership and the reality of bureaucratic and administrative reform. He also discusses options for the new leadership, Soviet economy, class and social structure, and foreign policy.

This edited collection brings together noted scholars in a comparison of the reform efforts of Nikita Khrushchev and Mikhail Gorbachev. Contributors examine the Communist Party in KhrushcheV's and GorbacheV's times, the economy, agriculture, law, ideology, nationality policy, foreign affairs, defense policy, and Eastern Europe. These experts suggest that while there are many similarities between the reform efforts of the two leaders--common substantive themes, common problems, and common political dangers--there are also important differences, the most crucial of which has been GorbacheV's willingness to undertake fundamental systemic changes in the nature of the political system.

This important and timely volume will be of interest to scholars in Russian history and studies, Marxism, and Soviet history and studies.

Beginning with Brezhnev era, the author follows the course and development of Soviet leadership--examining the elements of continuity as well as change. He zeroes in on each individual leader and analyzes the economic, social, and international issues faced by each. For instance, Kelly sets the stage for AndropoV's succession, discusses strategies for his succession, details AndropoV's rise to power, presents the premier's time in power, and finally examines AndropoV's decline. Along with pinpointing individual instances of leadership, the author covers the role of the Communist party within Soviet politics, including the theory of party leadership and the reality of bureaucratic and administrative reform. He also discusses options for the new leadership, Soviet economy, class and social structure, and foreign policy.