The review of the book "The Soviet health care at international arena in 1920-1940: between 'soft force' and propaganda (the Western Europe and the USA)" by P. E. Ratmanov

Abstract

The review considers the book "The Soviet health care at international arena in 1920-1940: between "soft force" and propaganda (the Western Europe and the USA)" by Ratmanov P. E. The author, on the basis of rich range of historical sources for the first time introduced into scientific turnover, minutely examines phenomenon of the presentation of "The Semashko model" in the international arena. The main array of events described in the book is chronologically divided by two periods - the 1920s and the 1930s. Each of these periods is characterized not only by various forms of presentation of the Soviet health care, but also by directions of cooperation with partner countries. The monograph demonstrably shows that effectiveness of the Soviet medical propaganda was affected by composition of the audience, place and time. Besides, interest in the West to the Soviet model in many ways depended on personal sympathy and political beliefs of representatives of medical community. The author of the book considers the promotion of samples of the Soviet model of medicine as "trade of the future", i.e. demonstration of common values of the ideology of the Soviet health care, its local successes and promises of major achievements in the future. The monograph is to be recognized as an important step in the study both of the history of scientific medical diplomacy and the role of science in cultural agenda of the Soviet state.