ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT REFORMS IN THE SOVIET STATE IN 1957–1965 (based on the materials of Penza region)
Authors: Sokolova Valentina I. , Koroleva Larisa A. 
Published: April 2024

The relevance of the article lies in the fact that the state management experience of 1957-1965 can be useful and in demand for domestic enterprises in modern conditions. The reform of the national economy management system in the Soviet state was an urgent task of the government and the society, since the country’s economy of this period was characterized by such negative phenomena as extensive development and over-centralization, which hindered the introduction of new technologies into production.

The purpose of the study is to study the managerial reorganizations in 1957–1965 in the Soviet state on the example of Penza Council of National Economy, then the Volga Council of National Economy, to analyze the main directions of the management policy of the country’s leadership, to consider the features and identify prospects that appeared in the national economy of the region during the period under study.

Materials and methods. The sources of the article were information published in various publications on the management policy of the party-Soviet nomenclature of the mid-1950s and 1960s in the RSFSR, documents and materials of the State Archive of Penza region and other literature. In historiography, one can note the works of N.N. Kaluzkova, M.D. Goryachko, S.G. Kovalenko and others. When studying the problem, the authors adhered to such methods as historicism, objectivity, complexity and a social approach in covering the issues of the stated topic. The scientific novelty of the article is determined by the fact that the work clarifies the issues of managing the national economy of the region, the problems of implementing government decrees and orders, and introduces a set of new archival sources.

Study results. In May 1957, a law was passed on industry management through the councils of the national economy, subordinated directly to the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics: instead of branch ministries, territorial Councils of National Economy began to be created. In the functioning of Penza region Council of National Economy, as well as throughout the country, two stages can be distinguished: 1957–1959 was characterized by decentralization of management structures, 1960–1965 – by consolidation and centralization of management in order to coordinate and control the activities of the Council of National Economy: there were state committees for industries responsible for the development of a unified sectoral policy, which were fragmented, liquidated, engaged in redistribution of functions, changed their subordination. The Councils of National Economy themselves became larger, new management units were built over them.

Conclusions. The 1950s and early 1960s can generally be called a successful period in the Soviet economy development in the entire history of the USSR in terms of both economic growth rates and the efficiency of social production. The economy developed in line with global trends, especially in the second half of the 1950s. The leader of the party and the state, N.S. Khrushchev, acted in the interests of the people, saw his main purpose in ensuring peace and well-being for the Soviet people, led boldly, but in many ways impulsively and inconsistently.