Fissures in the Eastern European Bloc

Abstract

The Bloc was never as "monolithic" as many have suggested, and its disintegration has not gone as far as some would like to think. The gradual development of its "monolithic" character and the role of terror in maintaining its unity down to Stalin's death are summarized in this paper. Then the post-Stalin era, in which elements of Stalinism re mained in spite of progressive liberalization, is discussed. The limits of the possible in this liberalization process were set by the Polish and Hungarian revolts. This period was also marked by an intensive drive toward collectivization and industrialization. The changes effected in the 1960's spring in part from the gradual acceptance of polycentrism and in part from West Europe's economic challenge and East Europe's failure to measure up to it. The attempt to introduce a greater degree of economic unity and centralized planning into East Europe has failed, and the lead in the opposition to Khrushchev's policy was taken by Romania. The outward signs of division are numerous, but the northern states remain united in opposition to West Germany and dependent on the Soviet alliance. In each of the countries, the party remains in firm control. There are clearly limits beyond which disintegration of the alliance cannot go.