Mechanisms of Power in the Soviet Union

Based on new archival evidence and other heretofore unutilized or underutilized sources, this collection of essays examines the power structures, communication channels and mechanisms of decision-making within the Soviet political system. The book deals with both domestic and foreign policy problems. Special attention is focused on the era of Stalinism. The list of contributors includes some of the leading specialists within the field of Russian studies and the study of International Communism from Russia, the United States, Australia, Switzerland and Denmark.

NIELS ERIK ROSENFELDT is Associate Professor at the Institute of East European Studies, University of Copenhagen, Member of the Board, Danish Institute of International Affairs. Among his publications are Knowledge and Power: The Role of Stalin's Secret Chancellery in the Soviet System of Government (1978), Stalinstyrets Nervecenter (1980), Stalin's Special Departments (1989) Stalin's Secret Chancellery and the Comintern (1991). He has contributed to numerous other publications, especially within the field of Soviet history and contemporary Russian politics.

BENT JENSEN is professor at Odense University. His publications include Denmark and the Russian Question 1917-1924 (1979), The Stalin Revolution (1982), The Voice of Sakharov (1983), The Fascination of Stalinism and the Danish Left Intellectuals (1984), The Soviet Union and Denmark Since World War Two (1987) and The Long Liberation: Bornholm Occupied and Liberated, 1945-1946 (1996).

ERIK KULAVIG is Head of Department, Slavonic Studies at Odense University. He teaches courses in Russian and Soviet history and culture. He is co-editor (with Mette Bryld) of the book Soviet Civilization Between Past and Present and author of Propaganda and Everyday Life in Russia 1924-36 and Russian Nationalism 1986-92.