Apparatchiks and Enterprises: The Case of the Warsaw Region in 1950–1970

Abstract

In the period 1950–1970, the Polish United Workers’ Party (PUWP) managed the economy and all enterprises. However, the party central authorities were unable to manage every single plant directly. One of the most important elements of the governing system was the local communist party apparatus, which supervised factories in the regions. This article examines the strategies of local apparatchiks in their relations with the factory managers. Using archival documents of PUWP from the Warsaw area, this article identifies the prevailing behaviours of party actors and changes in their strategies over time.