MORE POWER TO THE SOVIETS: The Democratic Revolution In The USSR (INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY OF STUDIES IN COMMUNISM) - Tapa dura

`Urban's success both in gathering the facts and in explaining them is impressive. Michael Urban has given us a stimulating and valuable account of the central development of Soviet politics in the 1980s. Scholars and students alike will gain much in understanding from studying both the content and method of this excellent book.' -- Theodore H. Friedgut, The Russian Review `As to the quality of the book, I have no hesitation in saying that it is an outstanding piece of scholarship, one of the most important books on contemporary Soviet politics to appear in years. That was my reason for assigning it to my students, and I have gained personally from reading it.' -- D. Richard Little, San Diego State University, US `By providing answers to many questions within a solid conceptual analysis of the Soviet political process, Urban creates an important study of the critical reforms of 1987-89, a work that will retain historical value.' -- R.V. Barylski, Choice `This book gives an extraordinarily well-informed account of how the democratization process came about and offers an invaluable insight into the 1988-89 public debate and election campaign. Points of particular interest include a description of the role played by the reformist intellegensia in charting the course of the reform, and the reaction of the apparat, at the centre and in the periphery.' -- Ottorino Cappelli, Russia and the World `In my judgement, Michael Urban has done an excellent job of describing the process of decision making for a reallocation of political authority within the Soviet political system. His analysis is intelligent and consistent with the data. The research base is impressive and well documented. Moreover, the writing style is articulate and easy to follow.' -- Linda L. Lubrano, The American University, Washington DC, US

This landmark book - now available in paperback - provides us with a full-scale assessment of the constitutional amendments in the USSR - the first major institutional assault by the forces of perestroika on the apparatuses of the Soviet party state. Professor Urban presents a critical analysis of the Soviet Union's new politico-governmental order. He charts the progress of democracy to show how the political system, already by perestroika, may be employed to extend reform into the economy and society of the USSR. This innovative book is based on internal documents, interviews with Soviet officials as well as a considerable amount of information that is not yet currently available in the West. It will be essential reading for both students and instructors as well as the general reader with an interest in Soviet politics.