From a Ricardian to a Marxian Ranking of Economic Goals and Means: A Case of the Soviet Union
Author(s)
Raiklin, Ernest
Abstract
Two major problems regarding the contemporary Soviet socioeconomic structure are addressed. First, it is argued that the Stalinist model of socioeconomic development, with its actual emphasis on production for the sake of production, has been Ricardian in its nature. As a result, its dominant features have been the sellers’ market of shortages. Second, it is maintained that the essence of the current transformation of the Stalinist system is its movement from the Ricardian to the modified Marxian model of capitalism. Since the latter’s proclaimed goal is production for the sake of profits, the reformed Soviet socioeconomic structure will have to end up as the buyers’ market of plenty.
