«Алфавит инакомыслия» Рой Медведев 1061063839 Радио Свобода

Summary

The discussion revolves around the life and work of Roy Medvedev, a prominent Soviet-era dissident and historian known for his critical views on Stalinism. Born in Tiflis in 1925, Medvedev was a twin brother to the scientist Georgy Medvedev. Despite his father's tragic fate under Stalin's regime, Roy pursued a career in academia and became a key figure in the intellectual opposition movement during the Khrushchev Thaw. His seminal work 'Let History Judge' was one of the first to circulate in samizdat, significantly impacting the understanding of Stalinism. Medvedev's complex relationship with the Soviet system, his contributions to historical discourse, and the evolution of his political views are explored, reflecting the nuances of dissent and intellectual life in the Soviet Union.

Takeaways

• 📚 The discussion centers around Roy Medvedev, a prominent Soviet-era dissident and historian known for his critical works on Stalinism and his 'Political Diary'.
• 👥 Roy Medvedev and his twin brother, the scientist Georgy Medvedev, were named after the Indian communist Manabendra Nath Roy, highlighting their father's socialist beliefs.
• 🎓 Roy Medvedev had a background in academia, completing his education at Leningrad University and holding positions in education and publishing before becoming a prominent dissident.
• 📖 His book 'To the Court of History' was one of the first to circulate in samizdat, the underground publication method, and it was instrumental in shaping public opinion on Stalinism.
• 🤝 Medvedev was associated with left-wing opposition figures like Valentin Turchin and Academician Andrei Sakharov, with whom he co-authored a letter calling for the democratization of the Soviet system.
• 🚫 Despite his critical stance, Medvedev managed to avoid repression, which is considered ironic given the Soviet government's tendency to persecute dissidents.
• 🏆 Interestingly, Medvedev was awarded the FSB Prize by the Russian Federation for his book on Andropov, a figure who had previously criticized Medvedev's work.
• 🛑 The conversation explores the complexities and contradictions of Medvedev's life and legacy, including his perceived inconsistencies and the evolution of his views on socialism.
• 🌐 The script mentions the impact of the 'Political Diary' as an encyclopedia of the 20th century, covering a wide range of topics from literature to political events.
• 👮‍♂️ There is a discussion on the selective nature of censorship and repression in the Soviet Union, where some dissidents were left relatively untouched while others faced severe consequences.
• 📚 The transcript also delves into the significance of samizdat in the dissemination of alternative viewpoints and the role it played in shaping the intellectual landscape of the Soviet Union.

Q & A

Who are the hosts discussing in the script?

The hosts, Ivan Tolstoy and Andrey Gavrilov, are discussing Roy Medvedev, a prominent Soviet historian, and his brother, the scientist Gerontologist Zhores Medvedev.

What is the significance of the name 'Roy' in Roy Medvedev's name?

Roy Medvedev was named in honor of one of the founders of the Communist Party of India, Manabendra Nath Roy.

What was the first work of Roy Medvedev that Andrey Gavrilov encountered?

Andrey Gavrilov first encountered Roy Medvedev's work through the book 'To the Court of History', which was one of the first samizdat books he came across.

What was Ivan Tolstoy's first exposure to Roy Medvedev's work?

Ivan Tolstoy's first exposure to Roy Medvedev's work was through the book 'Political Diary', which his father brought from abroad in 1972.

What is the significance of the book 'Political Diary' according to Ivan Tolstoy?

According to Ivan Tolstoy, 'Political Diary' is an encyclopedia of the 20th century and a book for reading that covers a wide range of topics and events not available in the permitted literature of the time.

What was the impact of Roy Medvedev's works on the hosts during their youth?

Both hosts express deep gratitude and acknowledge the significant impact of Roy Medvedev's works on their understanding of history and politics during their formative years.

What was Roy Medvedev's early career before becoming a prominent historian?

Before becoming a prominent historian, Roy Medvedev worked as a teacher in a secondary school in Sverdlovsk Oblast, then as the director of a seven-year school, and later as an editor and deputy chief editor at the publishing house 'Uchpedgiz'.

What event led to Roy Medvedev's expulsion from the Communist Party?

Roy Medvedev was expelled from the Communist Party in 1969, half a year after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, as part of a crackdown on dissent.

What is the irony mentioned by Ivan Tolstoy regarding the treatment of people with opposing views on Lenin?

The irony mentioned by Ivan Tolstoy is that both individuals who were against Lenin and those who fiercely supported him faced persecution in the Soviet Union.

What was the significance of the open letter to the leaders of the USSR that Roy Medvedev co-authored with Valentin Turchin and Andrei Sakharov?

The open letter, released on samizdat on March 15, 1970, called for the democratization of the Soviet system and is considered by some to have laid the groundwork for what Mikhail Gorbachev later termed 'perestroika'.

How did Roy Medvedev manage to avoid repression despite his critical works and activities?

Roy Medvedev managed to avoid repression by maintaining a low profile and possibly due to the Soviet authorities finding his criticism less threatening compared to more radical dissidents.

What is the term used by Boris Firsov to describe the diversity of dissenting thoughts in the Soviet Union?

Boris Firsov uses the term 'raznomyslie', which translates to 'diversity of thoughts', to describe the various dissenting ideas and oppositional currents in the Soviet Union.

What is the debate between the hosts about the naming of their program?

The hosts debate whether to rename their program 'Alphabet of Dissent' to 'Alphabet of Diversity of Thoughts' to better reflect the range of dissenting ideas discussed, but ultimately decide against it.

What is the paradox mentioned by Andrey Gavrilov regarding Roy Medvedev receiving an award from the FSB for his book on Andropov?

The paradox is that Roy Medvedev, who had previously written critically about the Soviet regime and was under scrutiny, later received an award from the FSB for his book on Yuri Andropov, a former head of the KGB.

How does Andrey Gavrilov summarize Roy Medvedev's life and work?

Andrey Gavrilov summarizes Roy Medvedev's life and work by stating that despite any paradoxes and contradictions, Medvedev has remained true to his beliefs and ideals throughout his life.