Discussion

Extract

Charles Furtado

Professor Motyl, you mentioned that there seemed to be a lack of conception among the Soviet elite about the nature of ideology, or about the definition of ideology, as one that would lead the regime through perestroika. It seems to me that the regime, or the elite, is somewhat bifurcated on this issue and that there are elements of the elite who have a clearer idea of what they would like to see promulgated. That would be the Ligachev faction, which is more conservative in its orientation towards social change. My question is: do you discern any differences in the Ligachev variation on Brezhnev's developed socialism? And have they come up with anything that is different, or is it basically more of the same?