The soviet Militsiia: Agents of political and social control

Abstract

The paper provides an overview of the development of the Soviet militsiia (regular police) and its present structure, organization and functions. The paper concludes that the nature of Soviet policing differs from that of western democratic societies. Policing is a state monopoly; the militsiia closely controlled by the party with minimal input from the citizenry. Its responsibilities are broader and it is more intrusive into the daily life of the population. Since the revolution, the militsiia has had three primary functional areas—social, economic and political control. The functions of the militsiia have changed with the development of the Soviet state. The political responsibilities have receded but remain more important than in democratic societies.