Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Khrushchev and Brezhnev.

Candidates are required to give an account of the similarities and differences of the domestic policies of both leaders, referring to both leaders throughout. They may consider the nature of and impact on the Soviet Union of the leaders’ domestic policies, identifying a broad difference in approach, or they could argue that apparent differences were a matter of detail within the Soviet Union. Areas for discussion could be the impact of policies on living standards, and their policies on agriculture. The position of the Party and levels of repression, including attitudes to dissidents, may also be discussed. Some may argue that Khrushchev was something of a reformer (de-Stalinization) and attempted to change many areas of policy with limited degrees of success. In contrast the Brezhnev era was one of stagnation—particularly economic stagnation—and greater repression, with limited implementation of the Helsinki Accords and the repression of dissidents.