The Shchekino Experiment and the Logic of Soviet Planning

Abstract

From the viewpoint of the ruling group, the slow dissemination of the experiment was undesirable and attempts were made to re-invigorate its extension (Ekonomicheskaya Gazeta, 1977 No. 6, pp. 17–18). In order to be able to do this, some idea of the blockage existing was necessary and it is interesting to note that the whole emphasis of their efforts was directed towards the regulations for the implementation of the experiment. This implies that in their view the failures were solely of an administrative or institutional nature. As already noted, ambiguities in the instructions had been a concern noted by a number of authors.