"In this study, Kevin O'Connor traces the origins and activities of an influential alliance of conservative Communist Party authorities and Russian nationalists during the late Soviet era. Specifically, O'Connor examines the evolving relationship between conservative Communists and the burgeoning Russian nationalist movement as the Soviet state faced its terminal crisis. By focusing on the perestroika period, this study explains in detail how Marxism-Leninism receded into irrelevance, forcing many orthodox Communists to shed their Marxist principles in favor of Russian nationalist positions."--Jacket.