ABSTRACT
In Lenin’s writing on imperialism the Soviets had ready at hand the theoretical justification and guidance to exploit the economic grievances of the colonial and semi-colonial peoples, but not until well after the end of World War II did Moscow avail itself of the opportunities. This chapter examines policies since 1953, first reviewing the evolution of Soviet thinking about international economics and relating it to Moscow’s over-all strategies in the Third World and in Latin America. It discusses the changing patterns in Soviet economic policies. During Khrushchev’s ascendancy Soviet aid and trade policies became a major component of a bold offensive against the West that was based on shrewd and optimistic calculations about the West’s vulnerabilities, the Third World’s needs, and Soviet capabilities. Academic specialists on general theory had suggested already in 1965 that Latin America should not be classified together with Asia and Africa.
