Managing Change in the USSR: The Politico-legal Role of the Soviet Jurist (The Goodhart Lectures, 1982)

In this book, based on the Arthur Goodhart Lectures, 1982, John Hazard interprets the practice of Soviet law across the entire range of its functions -from the drafting of constitutions and the enforcement of economic policy to the suppression of religion and the control of family life - Professor Hazard picks out two main themes. He emphasises the role of law in the continued effort of policy-makers in the Soviet Communist Party to shape society according to the ideological dictates of Party policy and to mould a new 'Soviet man'. Secondly he explores the growing importance of legal draftsmen in the formation of political and ideological policy, as the established generation of 'generalist' administrators faces increasing challenges to its authority from a growing technocratic and scientific community. Throughout, the development of the law in the Soviet Union is compared and contrasted with Western experience in a manner easily comprehensible to the layman. Written in a relaxed and readable manner, this book will be of interest to a wide audience among both students of law and scholars interested in Soviet society.