Cambridge Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies Series

This book presents the first comprehensive account of the foreign policy of East Germany in Africa from the early 1950s to the present day. The author challenges the conventional notion that the GDR's role in Africa is solely that of a proxy for the USSR. Instead, as he convincingly argues, East German foreign policy in general and in Africa in particular, should be understood as a strategy both in pursuit of affiliation with the USSR and in search of international recognition and legitimacy.

Focusing on the Soviet economy during wartime, the book analyzes statistical records to assess changes in GNP, employment, and the defense burden, alongside foreign aid's impact. By comparing the Soviet experience with other major powers, it highlights significant costs and capital losses due to the war, which adversely affected GNP long after 1945. Utilizing previously inaccessible official documents, the author offers fresh insights into the scale of the Soviet war effort and its enduring economic repercussions.

Utilizing vacancy chain analysis, Michael Urban presents a novel perspective on political elite studies in this work. By examining the dynamics of power within the Soviet system, the author explores how positions of authority are filled and the implications this has for understanding the political landscape. Urban's approach offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of governance and the interplay between individuals and the state, enriching the discourse on Soviet power structures.

Focusing on the regional dynamics of Siberia, the book explores how local conditions influenced Stalin's policies during the New Economic Policy (NEP) era. Dr. James Hughes delves into party-peasant relations, the kulak issue, and Stalin's patron-client networks, highlighting the regional effects of the 1927-28 grain crisis. His analysis reveals that the unique circumstances in Siberia significantly shaped Stalin's critical reassessment of the NEP, ultimately leading to the drastic measures of his "revolution from above" in 1929.

Focusing on Soviet education policy from 1921 to 1934, this sequel delves into the evolution of educational practices and ideologies during a transformative period in Soviet history. It builds upon the insights of the author's earlier work, "Commissariat of Enlightenment," providing a detailed analysis of how education was shaped by political and social changes. The book highlights the challenges and innovations in the educational system, reflecting broader themes of state control and ideological influence in the pursuit of enlightenment.

This book is about the political, social and economic changes in Czechoslovakia in the years 1945– 1948. In 1945 the 'national revolution' established the Communist Party as the dominant force within a coalition government. The leading Communists then evolved the idea of a specific Czechoslovak road to socialism that could bypass the 'dictatorship of the proletariat'. By analysing in detail the revolutionary events and the society that emerged from them, the book demonstrates that there was a real possibility of developing a distinct model of socialism containing a plurality of parties and a sizeable private sector. Such thinking, however, was effectively ended in February 1948, when the Communist Party established a monopoly of power. The fundamental causes of this change in the party's strategy are to be found, it is argued, in the international situation. The February events were of international significance as they confirmed the division of Europe into two blocs. The concluding chapter shows how important they were for the subsequent development of Czechoslovak society.

The book explores the evolving historical importance of detente, illustrating how non-superpower nations can transform challenging situations into advantageous opportunities. It delves into the strategies and actions taken by these states to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, highlighting their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

The revised edition offers updated insights and perspectives from the original Polish version published in 1971. It reflects changes in the cultural and historical context, providing readers with a contemporary understanding of the themes and ideas presented in the earlier work.