Social and Economic Problems in Russia

Abstract

THERE is nothing very mysterious or unnatural about present Russian conditions. These conditions are a perfectly natural reaction from an antiquated, undemocratic, repressive political regime. This regime had extended far too long into more liberal times. It might have been overthrown spontaneously while as a matter of fact the natural revulsion and revolutionary spirit of the Russian people was most cleverly organized and led by the most radical socialistic party of any prominence in world affairs. The general result has been much the same as in the case of the French Revolution. The Communist Party of Russia, an offshoot of this international Communist organization, is in the saddle. This party is ruling with a rod of iron and, whatever we may think of the social and economic policies which they are trying to establish throughout Russia and in too many other countries, we must give them credit for a great deal of excellent work in the restarting of the life of a great people upon rather new and untried principles. Leningrad and Moscow are not Russia, but one could scarcely visit these cities today without recognizing favorably the skill with which the introduction of new social ideas and policies has been