47:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/08z4tkzvltetr.js","/_next/static/chunks/121~yigv24_j6.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0za7dr7c2y81~.js","/_next/static/chunks/03klviw01y.ih.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gx_3vy1-syt4.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i6hzvr84kc1r.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 49:I[63625,["/_next/static/chunks/08z4tkzvltetr.js","/_next/static/chunks/121~yigv24_j6.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0za7dr7c2y81~.js","/_next/static/chunks/03klviw01y.ih.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gx_3vy1-syt4.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i6hzvr84kc1r.js"],"AddToLibraryButton"] 4a:I[29721,["/_next/static/chunks/08z4tkzvltetr.js","/_next/static/chunks/121~yigv24_j6.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0za7dr7c2y81~.js","/_next/static/chunks/03klviw01y.ih.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gx_3vy1-syt4.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i6hzvr84kc1r.js"],"ShareButton"] 4b:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/08z4tkzvltetr.js","/_next/static/chunks/121~yigv24_j6.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0za7dr7c2y81~.js","/_next/static/chunks/03klviw01y.ih.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gx_3vy1-syt4.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i6hzvr84kc1r.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 4c:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/08z4tkzvltetr.js","/_next/static/chunks/121~yigv24_j6.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0za7dr7c2y81~.js","/_next/static/chunks/03klviw01y.ih.js","/_next/static/chunks/0gx_3vy1-syt4.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i6hzvr84kc1r.js"],"SignupCTA"] 3e:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-05-13T09:59:00.000Z","children":"May 13, 2026"}] 3f:["$","span",null,{"aria-hidden":true,"children":"·"}] 40:["$","span",null,{"children":"01:00:28"}] 41:["$","p",null,{"className":"max-w-[60ch] text-[18px] leading-[1.5] text-[color:var(--fg-2)]","children":"What did the system get right? And why did it become associated with stagnation?"}] 48:T4d3,

Over time, the Soviet Union developed a system of centralized planning that became synonymous with socialism. How did the system work? What did it get right? And why did it ultimately become so associated with shortages and stagnation?

On the latest episode of Confronting Capitalism, Vivek Chibber and Melissa Naschek discuss the ambitions and challenges of economic planners, and why the defects may be hardwired into the structure of central planning.

The latest issue of Catalyst is out and you can subscribe for just $20 using the code CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM: https://catalyst-journal.com/subscribe/?code=CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM

Read show transcripts here: confrontingcapitalism.substack.com

Have a question for us? Write to us by email: confronting.capitalism@jacobin.com

Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber is produced by Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy and published by Jacobin. Music by Zonkey.