Before Command

Focusing on Russian and Soviet economic history before the administrative command system, the author challenges prevailing historical narratives by analyzing data from 1861 to the 1930s. The findings reveal that the tsarist economy was more robust than commonly believed, with effective integration into the global market attracting foreign investment. Additionally, the book critiques Stalin's rationale for abandoning the New Economic Policy, arguing that the crises he cited were either exaggerated or based on flawed economic reasoning, offering valuable insights for contemporary economic reform discussions.