The article examines the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the Soviet centralised planning system, and the means by which Gorbachev and his colleagues sought to reform it. Along with the objective difficulties in the way of 'marketisation' (lack of practical experience and market infrastructure,...

In order to avoid any misunderstandings, I shall emphasize from the very beginning that I am a "market person" and that I agree with those who wish greatly to expand the role of market relations in the Soviet economy. However, the simplistic interpretation of such concepts as "commercial"...