The communist party of the Soviet Union's reassessment of international social democracy: Dimensions and trends

Abstract

For some years Soviet theorists have been conducting a thorough examination of the experience of social democratic parties, once the betes noires of Soviet communism. From being important partners in discussions on peace and disarmament as early as in the Brezhnev years, the social democratic parties are now serving as a source of ideas for Soviet ‘new thinking’. On the state and reform, on economic regulation, and on the welfare state, Soviet theorists are looking seriously at social democracy's contribution. This reassessment has been accompanied by an impatience with some of the more traditional communist parties in Western Europe, whilst making for an improvement of relations with the Italian party. But it is not a convergence with social democracy that is envisaged: rather the market and its laws are seen as neutral and system‐independent. This rethinking offers opportunities to the West for contacts and dialogues that go beyond foreign and security policy issues, as is illustrated by Moscow's intere...