Socioeconomic Aspects of Perestroyka

Abstract

The social aspects of the ongoing process of the restructuring of the economy and of its management, as well as some indirect consequences that perestroyka may produce, are outlined by one of the founders of Soviet sociology who is also one of General Secretary Gorbachev's leading economic advisors. Topics covered in the initial presentation and subsequent discussion with American participants in the first joint Soviet Economy roundtable include: unemployment, living standards, inequality of income, workers' attitudes, territorial differentiation, the shadow economy, public opinion and adjustments to the prospective change and democratization of management and organizational behavior in Soviet society. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: 052, 113, 124.