The Education of Members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

Abstract

This paper analyzes the levels of education of the members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and compares them with the educational levels of the Soviet population as a whole, the white collar labor force, and the Communist Party membership. The Central Committee proves to be the most highly educated group; 79 per cent have some form of higher education, largely technical and professional in nature. At least half the membership was educated during Stalin's initial drive for planned industrial development and agricultural collectivization. This education was initially relevant for entrance to the political power elite, but its relevance for subsequent promotion is questionable. Less than 10 per cent of the Soviet population has an education comparable to that of the Central Committee, but white collar professionals and the technocratic elite have a higher level of education than that of the elite Party membership.