Scientific article

DOI 10.28995/2073-0101-2026-3-796-810

For citation

Suslov, A. Yu. (2026). The Socialist Revolutionary Party journal «Svoboda» as a historical source, 1933–1936, Herald of an Archivist, no. 3, pp. 796-810. DOI 10.28995/2073-0101-2026-3-796-810

Suslov, A. Yu., Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia

The Socialist Revolutionary Party journal «Svoboda» as a historical source, 1933–1936

Abstract

The article examines the publication of the journal «Svoboda» (1933–1936), published by the Socialist Revolutionary Party abroad, as a historical source. It is noted that information about the journal is contained in works on bibliographical and publishing activities of the ?migr? community, in reference and encyclopedic publications, and does not go beyond the scope of short reviews. A general description of the publishing activities of the Socialist Revolutionary Party in exile in the 1920s and 1930s is provided, with the dynamics and main printed organs identified. The history of the creation of the «Svoboda» journal in Paris, its structure, key themes, and authors is analyzed. In the mid-1930s, «Svoboda» journal was practically the only organ of the Socialist Revolutionaries abroad, and their last periodical printed publication in Western Europe. Particular attention is paid to the draft platform of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, authored by M. V. Vishnyak and S. M. Soloveichik. The article examines the evolution of the party's programmatic constructs in exile. It is noted that the economy envisaged a combination of elements of classical and state capitalism in industry, and private and collective land ownership in agriculture. The similarity between the programs of M. V. Vishnyak and S. M. Soloveichik is emphasized, with the exception of some details. They incorporate significant changes that occurred in Soviet Russia (the federal nature of the state, collectivization) and propose taking these achievements into account. The article analyzes the party life of the Paris group of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, and its reaction to current events in Soviet Russia and international life. Attention is drawn to the negative position of foreign Socialist Revolutionaries in connection with the attempts of the Workers' Socialist International (which included the SRP Delegation Abroad) to reach an agreement with the Comintern. The article examines the reflection of party history issues on the pages of the journal (the 1914 conference in Switzerland), reviews, and obituaries of party leaders. It is concluded that in the ?migr? environment of the early 1930s. Some former Narodniks, while recognizing the fundamental principles of European culture, sought to develop their own model for transforming Russia, taking into account national specifics and Soviet realities, while rejecting the negative aspects and undesirable trends of Western civilization. In other words, they wanted to create a hybrid system combining the advantages of both worlds. Some Socialist Revolutionary ?migr?s have shifted away from socialist doctrine (influenced by the experience of the 1917 Revolution, the Civil War, and the practice of European social democracy) and toward bourgeois liberalism.

Keywords

Emigration, periodical press, Socialist Revolutionary party journal, M. V. Vishnyak, S. M. Soloveichik, Socialist Revolutionary Party (SRP), Soviet Russia, V. V. Rudnev, P. I. Novgorodtsev, socialism, program, historical source.

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About authors

Suslov Aleksei Yurievich, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Docent, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies, Department of Regional Studies and Digital Humanities, Professor, Kazan, Russia, +7-987-296-41-99, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ORCID 0000-0002-2926-8102

The article was received in the editorial office on 29.04.2025, recommended for publication on 20.06.2026