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Networks, Loyalty and Institutional Change in the Soviet Union: A Yale-Hoover Study

Elton Hayes

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Published in Substate Dictatorship: Networks Loyalty And Institutional Change In The Soviet Union (Yale Hoover On Authoritarian Regimes)

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The Soviet Union was a complex and multifaceted state that existed for over 70 years. During its existence, it underwent a number of significant changes, both internally and externally. One of the most important factors that contributed to the stability and longevity of the Soviet regime was the existence of strong networks of patronage and personal loyalty within the Soviet leadership.

Substate Dictatorship: Networks, Loyalty, and Institutional Change in the Soviet Union (Yale-Hoover Series on Authoritarian Regimes)

by August Nemo

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11398 KB
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Print length	:	536 pages

These networks were formed through a combination of factors, including shared experiences, ideological affinity, and personal relationships. They provided a system of support and protection for members of the leadership, and they helped to ensure that the regime remained stable and cohesive.

However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the erosion of these networks and the emergence of new forms of loyalty and institutional arrangements. This article explores the complex relationship between networks, loyalty and institutional change in the Soviet Union, drawing on insights from a Yale-Hoover study.

Patronage Networks and Personal Loyalties in the Soviet Leadership

Patronage networks were a key feature of the Soviet political system. They were formed through a combination of factors, including shared experiences, ideological affinity, and personal relationships. These networks provided a system of support and protection for members of the leadership, and they helped to ensure that the regime remained stable and cohesive.

One of the most important patronage networks in the Soviet Union was the so-called "Brezhnev Clan." This network was formed around Leonid Brezhnev, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. The Brezhnev Clan included a number of high-ranking officials, including Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, and Andrei Gromyko.

The Brezhnev Clan was able to maintain its power and influence through a combination of factors, including Brezhnev's personal charisma, his ability to build consensus, and his willingness to use patronage to reward his supporters. The clan also benefited from the fact that it was able to control key positions in the party and government.

Other patronage networks existed within the Soviet leadership, including the "Andropov Clan" and the "Gorbachev Clan." These networks were less powerful than the Brezhnev Clan, but they still played an important role in the Soviet political system.

The Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Erosion of Patronage Networks

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the erosion of patronage networks and the emergence of new forms of loyalty and institutional arrangements. This was due to a number of factors, including the economic crisis that

Substate Dictatorship: Networks, Loyalty, and Institutional Change in the Soviet Union (Yale-Hoover Series on Authoritarian Regimes)

by August Nemo

5 out of 5