Building Socialism
Building Socialism
By placing the party grassroots at the centre of its focus, Building Socialism presents an original account of the formative first two decades of the Soviet system. Assembled in a large network of primary party organisations (PPO), the Bolshevik rank-and-file was an army of activists made up of ordinary people. While far removed from the levers of power, they were nevertheless charged with promoting the Party's programme of revolutionary social transformation in their workplaces, neighbourhoods, and households. Their regular meetings, conferences and campaigns have generated a voluminous source base. This rich material provides a unique view of the practical manifestation of the Party's revolutionary mission and forms the basis of this insightful new narrative of how the Soviet republic functioned in the period from the end of the Russian Civil War in 1921 to its invasion by Nazi Germany in 1941.
- Offers a grassroots account of communist activism in the formative years of the Soviet system
- Breaks new ground in historical scholarship on the early USSR by offering the first detailed examination of the Primary Party Organisations of the Soviet Communist Party
- Offers new insights into established debates regarding the formation and nature of the Soviet political system and the apparent paradox of a governing revolutionary party
Reviews & endorsements
‘A seminal work that significantly contributes to our understanding of the Soviet Union. It offers a fresh perspective on the Communist Party’s role in Soviet society, emphasising the importance of grassroots activism and challenging conventional narratives about the nature of Soviet governance. Kokosalakis’ thorough research, insightful analysis and compelling narrative make this book an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Soviet history and socialism …’ Giannis Lainas, Europe-Asia Studies
‘… the thesis is novel and well argued.’ Jonathan Daly, SEER
Product details
May 2023Adobe eBook Reader
9781009218887
0 pages
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
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Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- List of abbreviations and Russian terms
- Introduction: the Communist Party in Leninist theory, Soviet practice and historical scholarship
- 1. Building a workers' party
- 2. Which way to socialism? NEP and the struggle for power
- 3. Laying the foundations: the rank-and-file and rapid industrialisation
- 4. Marxism and clean canteens: cultural activism between ideology and practice
- 5. Democratisation and repression
- 6. Party activism on the road to war
- 7. Conclusion: the vanguard concept as a promising category for historical research
- Bibliography.
