Cliometrics, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union

This chapter provides an overview of classic and recent cliometric studies of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. The literature is expansive, so this chapter will focus on a few key themes underpinning most cliometric studies on this region. First, I outline factors that may have inhibited Imperial Russian economic growth, including serfdom, industrial policy, human capital, and political economy. Then, I examine what we as cliometricians currently know about the causes and consequences of the October Revolution. Recent studies particularly focus on the effects of collectivization of agriculture and industry. I conclude with a brief history of the field in the Soviet Union and abroad and some ideas for future avenues for research. Russian economic history represents a vibrant branch of cliometrics today, especially as researchers are increasingly making use of new techniques and datasets with smaller units of observation while answering questions of broad significance.