The article makes some good points. However, I think it messes up on why the regime choose a naive reformer. I don't think because the leadership were idealists. The communist idealists were all eliminated in the 1930's purge trials. The people in power were all cynical, power-hungry types.
I go with the standard explanation that it was because the economy had stalled out, and the leadership realized they had to make radical changes to try to rescue it.
The article makes some good points. However, I think it messes up on why the regime choose a naive reformer. I don't think because the leadership were idealists. The communist idealists were all eliminated in the 1930's purge trials. The people in power were all cynical, power-hungry types.
I go with the standard explanation that it was because the economy had stalled out, and the leadership realized they had to make radical changes to try to rescue it.
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