How Local Party-States Shaped Soviet Governance and the Transition to Pluralism in the Baltic States.

• In Event: Historical Perpectives in Politics

Abstract

In this paper, I journey back to the Soviet era, unraveling the governance patterns that shaped the three Baltic States after the demise of Josef Stalin in 1953. By focusing on the local party-states and their exercise of power, the paper sheds light on their varied legacies and their enduring impact on the post-Soviet landscape. Rather than fixating on the overarching Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), the gaze is turned towards the intricacies of local governance and its influence on subsequent state-building endeavors. This shift in perspective allows for multiple Soviet orders to become visible, not a monolithic structure as previously assumed with some important exceptions. By examining how the local Communists governed in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the paper uncovers the survival and "muddling through" of their respective Soviet legacies. Thus, it seeks to challenge prevailing narratives and offer nuanced insights, questioning the uniformity of the Soviet Union. In conclusion, this paper offers an analysis of continuity and change in the Baltic States both as Soviet-occupied republics and independent states, illuminating the role of cultural predispositions and historical legacies. The intricate interplay of governance patterns, political choices, and societal dynamics emerges as a vital determinant in shaping the trajectories of democratic state-building. By exploring these multifaceted dimensions, a deeper understanding of the diverse paths these countries embarked upon is gained, defying simplistic narratives and embracing the complex realities of their post-Soviet journey.

Short Bio

Li Bennich-Björkman is Johan Skytte Professor in Eloquence and Political Science at Uppsala University. She is the author, editor and co-editor of sixteen books in English and Swedish, numerous articles, book chapters and popular pieces. Her most recent book is on Soviet nomenklatura and intelligentsia relations in the Baltic States and Ukraine, and how such governance affected the transition and the politics of independence.

Author

• Li Susanne Bennich-Björkman, Uppsala University