Social Control under Stalin and Khrushchev: The Phantom of a Well-Ordered State

The Soviet Union used a network of state institutions to control individual behavior, including the police, justice system, and party-sponsored structures. The state leadership adjusted its policing strategies and moved away from mass repression towards legal pressure. The people relied on these structures to enforce control.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

The Soviet Union employed a multifaceted approach to control the behavior of its citizens, utilizing a wide network of state institutions to regulate individual conduct. These institutions included the police, justice system, and party-sponsored structures in factories and farms. The state leadership adapted its policing strategies, shifting from mass repression to legal pressure, to enforce social control.

While the state played a central role in shaping behavior, the people themselves also engaged with these rules and the threat of violence in their daily lives. Citizens developed strategies to navigate the complex web of regulations and surveillance, seeking to minimize the impact of state control on their lives. This included cultivating personal relationships with state officials, participating in party-sponsored activities, and seeking to conform to societal norms and expectations.

However, the exercise of social control was not without its challenges. Citizens faced the constant fear of surveillance and punishment, which could lead to self-censorship and the repression of individual freedoms. The state also employed propaganda and education campaigns to promote its vision of society and to reinforce social norms and values.

Despite these challenges, social control under Stalin and Khrushchev played a crucial role in maintaining the stability and order of the Soviet Union. The state's ability to control the behavior of its citizens was a testament to its power and influence, and it had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people throughout the country.

In conclusion, the Soviet Union employed a multifaceted approach to control the behavior of its citizens, utilizing a wide network of state institutions to regulate individual conduct. While the state played a central role in shaping behavior, the people themselves also engaged with these rules and the threat of violence in their daily lives. The exercise of social control was not without its challenges, but it played a crucial role in maintaining the stability and order of the Soviet Union.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 160 x 238 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487544270