History As It Happens Back in the USSR
Dec 27, 2024
Maria Lipman, a seasoned journalist and political scientist who witnessed the Soviet Union's collapse, shares her insights on the post-Soviet landscape. She explains the harsh realities faced by Russians in the 1990s—economic collapse and widespread corruption—contrasting with Western triumphalism. Lipman delves into the nostalgia for Soviet times, the complex legacy of leaders like Gorbachev, and the current socio-political climate, emphasizing that while Russians value freedom, they are not yearning for a return to communism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Family History in Stalin's Era
- Maria Lipman's family was significantly impacted by Stalin's terror, with her grandfathers imprisoned and one executed.
- Her parents, Moscow intellectuals, fostered an anti-Soviet environment at home, exposing her to foreign radio and underground literature.
Czechoslovakia Invasion
- Maria Lipman recalls the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia as a deeply distressing event.
- At 16, she witnessed the grim mood and shock that followed the Soviet Union's actions.
Life under Khrushchev
- While fear persisted due to arrests and trials of dissidents, daily life continued.
- Lipman's family stayed informed but avoided active dissent to minimize risk.
