THE PLANNED ECONOMY IN SOVIET RUSSIA
By Edward Lamb '24. Dorrance & Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., 1934- 193 pages.
American readers of books descriptive of modern Russia are constantly perplexed by the great difference between the views expressed by various authors. The readers wish to know either what is approximately true in regard to the Russian program and its results, or they wish to find a point of view expressed which coincides with their own hopes for its success or failure. On the other hand, the author, because of the complexity of the situation investigated, may have had some difficulty in finding approximate truth if that were his objective, or he may have had more interest in discovering support for an opinion he wished to hold.
Mr. Lamb expresses the investigations of one who is enthusiastic about the Soviet Union. His opinions are stated positively, both in criticism of America, and in praise of the Soviet Union. His travels and investigations in Russia convinced him that the plans and theories of the Communists offer far more promise of contributing to the common welfare than is true of the system here. Various phases of the social and economic organization of Russia and the United States are contrasted to the disadvantage of the latter. As the title indicates he is particularly interested in planned economy. "In an orderly planned society, the wild gyrations, the humps of prosperity, the valleys of depression, and the 'business cycles' are totally unknown, and totally unnecessary." He has great respect for what Russia has already accomplished in planned economy, and he believes that their present efforts promise success.
As a lawyer, he is naturally interested in the Soviet legal system, "this most interesting of all Soviet social institutions, this most unique of the world's judicial systems." Because of its conservatism, and for other reasons, he has little respect for the American judicial system and its personnel.
Considerable space is properly given to the consideration of social phenomena under planning, such as the status of the worker, the church, prison life, hospitalization, social insurance, prostitution. Perhaps two quotations will suggest his feeling in regard to the contrast with America. Of America, "A society which is ruled by dollar barons will produce a slum proletariat among the lowest elements, unable to grasp by honorable means the things of importance to that society, including the social virtues of sobriety and chastity." Of Russia, "Poverty and economic security have been eliminated." There is an interesting description of socialistic competition and the treatment of national minorities.
In his admirable concern for the welfare of people, he searches for those means which will produce benefits for mankind. As his conclusion indicates, planned economy has impressed him as a means of major importance.
