Socialist Escapes Breaking Away from Ideology and Everyday Routine in Eastern Europe, 1945-1989

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Synopsis

During much of the Cold War, physical escape from countries in the Eastern Bloc was a nearly impossible act. There remained, however, possibilities for other socialist escapes, particularly time spent free from party ideology and the mundane routines of everyday life. The essays in this volume examine sites of socialist escapes, such as beaches, campgrounds, nightclubs, concerts, castles, cars, and soccer matches. The chapters explore the effectiveness of state efforts to engineer society through leisure, entertainment, and related forms of cultural programming and consumption. They lead to a deeper understanding of state–society relations in the Soviet sphere, where the state did not simply “dictate from above” and inhabitants had some opportunities to shape solidarities, identities, and meaning.

Book details

Author:
Cathleen M. Giustino, Catherine J. Plum, Alexander Vari
ISBN:
9780857456700
Related ISBNs:
9780857456694, 9781782389255
Publisher:
Berghahn Books, Incorporated
Pages:
294
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
Yes
Date of addition:
2021-05-22
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
2012
Copyright by:
Cathleen M. Giustino, Catherine J. Plum, and Alexander Vari 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
History, Nonfiction, Social Studies