Russia's victory in World War Two did prove that there were Russian strengths, such as those of the improvised, command economy and the new adaptive method of leadership that could counter balance the flaws in the Stalinist system. However, a major factor was the strengths innate in the Russian people and not the state that helped to cope with the appalling conditions of war. It is difficult to believe that the USSR would have prevailed had German mistakes and Russian courage not aided the state to overcome its weaknesses.

The impressive industrial mobilisation was one of the major factors that allowed Russia to survive the war. It was due to this that they could match the German military equipment. Some historians stress the inferiority of Russian products and this was, indeed, a weakness. However, as Kenez argues, under the circumstances `Soviet economic accomplishments were miraculous'; the destruction by...