Haynes, Michael J.2008-12-102008-12-102008Critical Sociology, 34(4): 553-570089692051569163210.1177/0896920508090308http://hdl.handle.net/2436/42165This article explores the relevance of the idea of state capitalism in Russian development. It situates the idea within the framework of capitalist development which it argues is marked by global inequalities, power imbalances and economic and military competition. The Russian Revolution of October 1917 was an attempt to overthrow this system but its failure led to a highly intense form of state capitalism which lasted until 1991. The underlying continuities in the different regimes in Russia are then analysed in terms of the process of working class exploitation.enRussiaSoviet UnionWorking classesExploitationState capitalismLabour historySocial history20th centuryJournal articleCritical Sociology