This book embraces the political, intellectual, social and cultural history of Soviet Russia. Providing a useful perspective of Putin's Russia, and with a strong historical and religious background, the book:

• looks at the changing features of the Soviet ideology from Lenin to Stalin, and the moral universe of Stalin's time
• explores the history of the moral thinking of the dissident intelligentsia
• examines the moral dimension of Soviet dissent amongst dissidents of both religious and secular persuasions, and includes biographical material
• explores the ethical assumptions of the perestroika era, firstly amongst Communist leaders, and then in the emerging democratic and national forces.