Red Army and Society: A Sociology of the Soviet Military

This book, published in 1985, is the first full-length study of the Soviet Armed Forces as a social institution. It identifies characteristics that the Soviet military shared with non-communist systems and those unique to the society and political culture. The analysis provides a window into the broader military system and its effects on the Soviet Union's economic, social, and political life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book, originally published in 1985, stands as the pioneering exploration of the Soviet Armed Forces as a distinct social institution. By centering its analysis on military manpower, it identifies both the shared characteristics with non-communist systems and the unique aspects influenced by the society and political culture in which the Soviet military operated. The discussion spans the entirety of defense policy-making and delves into critical topics such as conscription policy, the professionalization of the military, the role of political officers, the mechanisms of political socialization within the Red Army, and the experiences of ethnic minorities within the armed forces. Through this in-depth examination, the book offers a valuable window into the functioning of the broader military system within the Soviet Union. It sheds light on how the military influences and is shaped by the economic, social, and political dynamics of the country, contributing to our understanding of civil-military relations in communist systems and providing insights into Soviet political and social trends. This seminal work remains a crucial resource for scholars and researchers seeking to comprehend the complex dynamics of the Soviet Armed Forces and their profound impact on the nation's history and society.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367633875