Theory: I take resource dependence perspective on the reform of collectivized
agriculture.

Hypotheses: Collective farms resist breakup if they are dependent on resources
distributed through the command economy.  The state's role in the distribution
of resources is explained by its relationship to the peasantry before
collectivization.

Methods: I use comparative case histories of Russian and Chinese agriculture.

Results: Large-scale decollectivization of agriculture will not occur in
Russia as long as collective farms remain dependent on redistribution through
the state apparatus.  The role of collectivization in the state-building
process explains why the Soviet collective farm was tied strongly to the
state, while the Chinese collective farm was not.