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.

Provides the first detailed examination of rank-and-file communist party activism as an element of governance in the Soviet system.

About the Author
Yiannis Kokosalakis is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology at Bielefeld University. His research focuses on the history of the socialist states of the twentieth century and the experience of revolutionary movements in government and has published a number of articles on Soviet labour relations, ideological instruction, and political reform. He has held a European Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship and received a National University of Ireland Early Career Award for his work.


Book Information
ISBN 9781009218863
Author Yiannis Kokosalakis
Format Hardback
Page Count 330
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 566g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 18mm