In Economics, Nehruvian-Stalinism refers to the system that implements the 'Nehru-Stalin model' where the state controls the commanding heights of the economy. Although the term commanding heights and the idea of a planning commission existed at the time of Vladimir Lenin, it was during the reigns of Josef Stalin in Soviet Union and Jawaharlal Nehru in India, that saw the creation of five year plans and the strengthening of the state-controlled 'planned economy'.

The Nehru-Stalin model was characterized by a tight state control of major sectors of the economy, artificially created famines, shortage of essential goods including water and electricity, a high rate of unemployment, rampant corruption and punitive measures for those who indulged in economic activity outside the purview of the state. However, a small number of people, usually those connected to the rulers (also see crony-capitalism ), were given licenses to operate industries and small businesses like gas stations. In India, this system came to be called the 'license-permit-quota Raj' or the 'license-permit Raj' or just the 'license Raj.'

Both Nehru and Stalin tried to force collectivization of farming resulting in failure of the system and both Soviet Union and India saw famines that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

In Sociology and Political Science, the term 'Nehruvian-Stalinism' refers to the creation of a personality cult around oneself by making the leader and state seem synonymous, possibly unconsciously. In Soviet Union, Stalin made himself all powerful and honored himself by naming Stalingrad after himself during his lifetime. In India, Jawaharlal Nehru came under criticism for the proposal to name Jawaharlal Nehru University after himself during his lifetime.