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

Drawing on archival sources from Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany, Romania and Bulgaria, Perceptions of Society in Communist Europe considers 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.>

Product details

• Authors: Muriel Blaive, Muriel (Institute for the Study of Totalit Blaive
• Assisted by: Dr. Muriel Blaive (Editor), Dr. Muriel (Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes Blaive (Editor), Muriel Blaive (Editor), Muriel (Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes Blaive (Editor)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.10.2018
• EAN: 9781350051713
• ISBN: 978-1-350-05171-3
• No. of pages: 264
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political system; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom, Eastern Europe, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European, Social and cultural history, Far-left political ideologies and movements, Political control and freedoms, Political Control & Freedoms, Marxism & Communism