Russia in the Melting Pot

In this short extract from a talk for the BBC National Service, HG Wells discusses the failings of Stalin's 'Five Year Plan' for the economic recovery of Russia. The country, he contends, collapsed in 1917 and he fears that it will remain in disarray if Stalin does not begin to value expertise above political loyalties.

As 'Radio Times' noted in the edition that covered this broadcast, HG Wells had last visited Russia in 1920, accompanied by his son, at the invitation of the Russian Trade Delegation in London. He spent time in St Petersburg and Moscow and was the guest of his friend, the novelist Maxim Gorky. Wells wrote about his experiences in his book 'Russia in the Shadows' (1921).