Before Command

Focusing on Russian and Soviet economic history before the command system, this work challenges prevalent historical myths regarding the tsarist economy. Gregory presents evidence that the Russian economy was more robust than commonly believed, highlighting its integration into the global market and the influx of foreign capital. He critiques Stalin's rationale for abandoning the New Economic Policy, arguing that the crises cited were either exaggerated or misinterpreted, thus offering significant insights for contemporary economic reforms in the Soviet Union.