Perceptions of Society in Communist Europe: Regime Archives and Popular Opinion

ISBN-13: 9781350051713 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 264 str.

Muriel Blaive

Opis

Drawing on political sources from Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Soviet Union, Romania and Bulgaria, Perceptions of Society in Communist Europe examines what the communist regimes knew about public opinion, how they obtained that information and how it affected their view on society and their social policies. Contrary to popular belief, communist regimes wished to satisfy their respective societies in order to maintain themselves in power with minimal resort to violence. This entailed a permanent negotiation process between the rulers and the ruled, with public approval of governmental policies becoming key to their success. By analysing topics such as the agency of radio listeners in Czechoslovakia, the fear of the masses and letters to the leadership in Romania, children's television in Poland and the figure of the secret agent in contemporary culture, as well as many more besides, Muriel Blaive and the contributors demonstrate the potential of social history to deconstruct parochial national perceptions of communism.This cutting-edge volume is a vital resource for academics, postgraduates and advanced undergraduates studying East-Central European history, Stalinism and comparative communism.