Conspiracies Large and Small: New Research on Secrecy and the Shadow Economy in the Soviet Union.

  • Published In: Kritika: Explorations in Russian & Eurasian History, 2025, v. 26, n. 3. P. 673 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: HEINZEN, JAMES 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on two significant scholarly works that explore the themes of state secrecy and the shadow economy in the Soviet Union. Mark Harrison's book, "Secret Leviathan," examines the extensive secrecy regime established by the Soviet government, arguing that it was a crucial mechanism for maintaining power, despite its substantial costs to state capacity and societal trust. Oleg Khlevniuk's "Corporation of Impostors" details the story of Nikolai M. Pavlenko, who successfully navigated and exploited the secrecy protocols to establish an illicit construction enterprise in postwar Stalinist USSR. Both studies provide valuable insights into the complexities of Soviet governance and the informal economic activities that emerged within its restrictive framework, highlighting the interplay between state control and individual agency. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Kritika: Explorations in Russian & Eurasian History. 2025/07, Vol. 26, Issue 3, p673
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Politics and Government
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1531-023X
  • DOI:10.1353/kri.2025.a969147
  • Accession Number:187583823
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Kritika: Explorations in Russian & Eurasian History is the property of Slavica Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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