Mickiewicz Ellen Propper. Soviet Political schools: The Communist Party Adult Instruction System

New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1967. — 198 p.It is not generally known in the West that a Soviet system of schools for the indoctrination of adults has embraced as many as 36,000,000 people. Under Khrushchev, this system became, according to official sources, the most important component of propaganda activity. The study of this hierarchy of schools, circles, and seminars provides insight into the organization, administration, and character of adult political socialization—that process by which the student is induced to participate in and identify with the political culture. In the Soviet Union during the Khrushchev era this goal of molding adults into politically conscious and active citizens was projected to include all adults of all professions and throughout the country; the plan was speedily and ambitiously implemented, and for the Western analyst presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the process of overt socialization. There are, of course, many difficulties attendant upon organized indoctrination; some are related to problems of staffing and administering a rapidly expanding network of educational facilities, and many of these are being dealt with in a sober and efficient way by the present regime. However, the more fundamental uncertainties of adult political education as a genuinely persuasive experience continue to plague the Soviet leadership. With these uncertainties, the Western scholar must also contend, but knowledge of Soviet life and a careful study of a wide variety of Soviet sources can reveal the uses to which the system is put and the continuing rationale by which it persists.Abbreviations and Foreign TermsOrigins and Purposes of Adult Political Instruction
The Evening University of Marxism- Leninism
The Politshkola: Lowest Level of the Political Instruction System
The Circle
Independent Study
The Persisting RationaleBibliography
Index