The Political Economy of Revolution: Examining the Transition From Marxist–Leninist Economics to Russian State Capitalism

The article aims to address the historical knowledge gap concerning Russia’s ideological shifts in economic management. Previous research has often focused on isolated periods, overlooking the continuous transformation driven by internal crises and international pressures. Our study adopts a comprehensive perspective to trace these ideological transitions and their long-term impacts. Each phase reveals how the USSR/Russia adapted policies to mitigate economic stagnation and address shifting geopolitical realities. The qualitative historical and phenomenological analysis has been applied to generate arguments based on primary and secondary sources. The findings suggest that ideological rigidity – manifesting in both Marxist and neoliberal forms – contributed to economic stagnation, while episodes of pragmatic flexibility facilitated stability and recovery. This historical trajectory underscores the necessity of adaptability in economic governance. Russia’s experience reveals that blending state control with market mechanisms can serve as a strategy for managing complex economic and political environments, offering lessons in balancing ideology with pragmatic policy-making.