Perceptions of Society in Communist Europe: Regime Archives and Popular Opinion (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781350159273)

Drawing on archival sources from Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany, Romania and Bulgaria, Perceptions of Society in Communist Europeconsiders whether and to what extent communist regimes cared about popular opinion, how they obtained their information, and how it helped them implement and maintain their rule.

Contrary to popular belief, communist regimes sought to legitimise their domination with minimal resort to violence in order to maintain their everyday power. 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 a Stalinist musical in Czechoslovakia, workers' 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.

Author: Muriel Blaive
ISBN-10: 1350159271
ISBN-13: 9781350159273
Publisher: Continnuum-3PL
Language: English
Published: 04/30/2020
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.55d