Russian Journal of Economics and Law (Mar 2015)
FORCED AUTARCHY: THE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
Abstract
Objective: comparing the similar situations in the relations between the USSR and the West in the 1930’s and in today's Russia, to search for historical lessons, to assess the real and hypothetical consequences. Methods: systematic method of studying history, which allows to reveal the inner mechanisms of the state functioning and developing and to identify the causes and consequences of certain phenomena. Results: the attempt is made to compare the historical experience in overcoming the economic blockade today (sanctions) and in the years of industrialization, in order to identify the common and specific features. The origins of autarchy in 1920-1930-ies are listed, some methods of overcoming the country’s economic isolation are shown. The relationship is shown between the very peculiar accelerated industrialization and the agriculture collectivization, which led to the village destruction and agrarian crisis. The main methods of industrialization in the 30-ies of the last century are listed. Compelling examples are provided of the use of foreign economic and technical expertise for industrial leap. Scientific novelty: the author comes to the conclusion that "the forced autarchy has become a powerful stimulus of such impressive growth”, but it is neither necessary nor possible to repeat the experience of its overcoming nowadays. In the author’s opinion, today the main, fundamental, long-term policy of our state should be avoiding autarchy and as quick as possible transition for the normal economic cooperation with other countries. Practical value: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific and educational activity, and in propaganda for a deeper understanding of the history of industrialization in the USSR and to search for methods and techniques to overcome the autarchy regardless of its origins.
