Harrison, Mark and Zaksauskienė, Inga (2016) Counter-intelligence in a command economy. The Economic History Review, 69 (1). pp. 131-158. doi:10.1111/ehr.12113 ISSN 0013-0117.

PDF WRAP_mark_h_2016_ehs_postprint.pdf - Accepted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (2048Kb)

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

This article provides the first thick description of the counter-intelligence function in a command economy of the Soviet type. Based on documentation from Soviet Lithuania, the article considers the KGB (secret police) as a market regulator, commissioned to prevent the disclosure of secret government business and forestall the disruption of government plans. Where market regulation in open societies is commonly intended to improve market transparency, competition, and fair treatment of consumers and employees, KGB regulation was designed to enforce secrecy, monopoly, and discrimination. One consequence of KGB regulation of the labour market may have been adverse selection for talent. Here it is argued that the Soviet economy was designed to minimize costs.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Soviet Union -- Economic policy, Labor market -- Soviet Union, Soviet Union. Komitet gosudarstvennoĭ bezopasnosti
Journal or Publication Title:	The Economic History Review
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	0013-0117
Official Date:	February 2016
Dates:	Date Event February 2016 Published 8 May 2015 Available 5 December 2014 Accepted 17 June 2014 Submitted
Volume:	69
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 131-158
DOI:	10.1111/ehr.12113
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	12 October 2016
Date of first compliant Open Access:	8 May 2017
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)
Adapted As:

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads