A.N. Kosygin's economic reform: a retrospective view

The article analyzes the content of the economic reform of 1965 initiated by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR A.N. Kosygin and it was also implemented under his leadership. Therefore, it has quite rightly entered the public consciousness as the «Kosygin reform». Its adoption was dictated by objective necessity, since the pre-existing Council of National Economy management system did not allow for effective economic development. The transition to a new economic reform did not begin spontaneously or instantly. Before its adoption at the September 1965 Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU, a two-year discussion was held, which was attended by scientists, economic and party workers at various levels, and heads of enterprises. It is noted that the classic period of implementation of this reform was the eighth five-year plan (1966–1970), which turned out to be higher in comparison with the previous five-year period. Later, serious adjustments were made to the reform. It is emphasized that the reform had, along with positive aspects, and negative ones. Both past and current assessments of the role and significance of the «Kosygin reform» for the development of the Soviet economy are contradictory.