Vladimir Bazarov

Vladimir Alexandrovich Bazarov, born Vladimir Alexandrovich Rudnev on August 8, 1874, in Tula, Russian Empire, was a significant figure in Russian revolutionary and intellectual history. He was a Marxist revolutionary, journalist, philosopher, and economist, best known for his contributions to economic planning in the Soviet Union. Bazarov was associated with the 'Russian Machism' movement and was a close associate of Alexander Bogdanov. His early revolutionary activities began in 1896, leading to his expulsion from Moscow and subsequent emigration to Germany in 1899. In Berlin, he was involved in establishing the 'Neutral Group of Social-Democrats'. Returning to Russia in 1901, his political activities resulted in exile to Siberia. He later joined the Bolshevik faction and was active in their press. Bazarov also collaborated on a new Russian translation of Karl Marx's Das Kapital. His philosophical views, influenced by Ernst Mach, led to a polemic with Vladimir Lenin, published in Lenin's 'Materialism and Empirio-criticism.' Despite rifts with Lenin, Bazarov continued his Marxist activities. After the October Revolution, he moved to Kharkov and worked with the State Planning Commission (Gosplan) from 1922, contributing significantly to the development of Soviet industrial planning alongside Vladimir Groman. His ideas on economic planning and growth rates were influential but also led to criticism during a period of radical economic shifts. In 1930, he was arrested and later tried in secret for alleged 'wrecking activities,' leading to a prison sentence. Bazarov died in Moscow on September 16, 1939.