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Overview
Self-help organizations and charities were the least-studied pressure groups to emerge during perestroika. This book examines the social exclusion experienced before 1985 by non-working citizens; studies the pre-1985 disabled people's movement and its numerous unofficial, but non-dissident organizations; discusses why the Gorbachev leadership adopted the non-Soviet concept of "charity;" analyzes the failure of local authorities after 1985 to stave off pluralism and defeat the voluntary organizations; and assesses how successfully the latter built the foundations of a civil society.
Synopsis
Examines social and political change in Russia under Gorbachev, focusing on voluntary organizations as an important part of the emerging civil society.
Booknews
White (Russian, U. of Bath) examines the most numerous of the many pressure groups that sprouted under perestroika and operated largely outside the control of the Communist Party. They were mostly charities and self-help organizations that strove to achieve a more equitable deal for disabled people, veterans of the Afghan war, army conscripts, large families, and other groups whose problems had been largely ignored by the Soviet government. Much of the information came from postal questionnaires completed by organizations in 1992-93. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)