THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE SOVIET MILITARY: A CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM,
Abstract
The advent of nuclear missiles has brought with it a number of revolutionary changes in the dynamics and technology of warfare. This memorandum analyzes one aspect of these changes: the impact of new military technology on the internal processes of the Soviet military community. Until recently the elitist elements in the Soviet officer corps were the commanders, graduates of Soviet military academies and institutes. In the second half of the last decade Khrushchev initiated a military modernization program which brought into the armed forces large numbers of new and frequently complex weapons and equipment, as well as technically skilled personnel. Khrushchev also introduced an ambitious political reform program which was to remold the social structure of the officer corps and curtail sharply the commanders' professional authority. The shock effect of these reforms on the military community is gradually subsiding, and long-range counter-trends are discernible. While the former trends had a divisive effect on the military, the counter-trends have a unifying effect. While it is too early to predict the consequences of military self-assertiveness, the facts of Soviet politics suggest that the military is in good position to achieve greater professional independence from the Party. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0448348
Entities
People
- Roman Kolklkowicz
Organizations
- RAND Corporation