Authors

Discussion

One of the instruments of Soviet state control over its population was the massive cataloging practice employed by its security police. The registration of “enemies” and those deemed disloyal with repressive goals gradually evolved into a file-compiling practice that collected compromising information as leverage in manipulating citizens. This type of file became a powerful tool in management and manipulation: in blackmailing, recruiting informers, and generally in social engineering. This method of kompromat was successfully transferred from the security organs to the party apparatus with its nomenklatura system of cards and dossiers on the responsible party workers. Kompromat became one of the operational mechanisms in the functioning of the Soviet bureaucracy built on traditional patronage and nomenklatura rules.