Abstract

Three Views of Russia

This article provides information on several books. Some of them are "The Truth About Soviet Russia," by Sidney and Beatrice Webb, "Duel for Europe," by John Scott and We're in This With Russia," by Wallace Carroll. Webbs seek to improve relations with the Soviets by declaring that Joseph Stalin is not a dictator and that, except for transitional blemishes, the Soviet Union is already a full-fledged and multiform industrial democracy. To make their points they just quote extensively from the 1936 constitution. Scott's book is one of the most poorly written book. Scott, admitting his pain and horror at certain features of Russian life, shrinking at what, for a Westerner, proved to be an intolerable burden, nevertheless declared his profound belief that the Soviet Union was filled with a great sense of good purpose and that its achievements were real and substantial.