Introduction

Objectives of This Book

The Approach

The Basic Argument

Outline of the Book

1. Control and Collapse: Reformulating Traditional Approaches

A Framework for Analyzing Institutional and Policy Change

Power and Control in Soviet Institutions: "Traditional" Theories

Summary

2. Control and Collapse: Neoinstitutional Approaches

Neoinstitutional Approaches to Hierarchy

Explaining Institutional Change

Behavioral Theories: "What's So Neo about Neoinstitutionalism?

Summary

3. Testing Theories of Institutional Change: The Soviet Youth Program

A Strategy for Hypothesis Testing

Comrades and Sons: Generational Conflict and Soviet Policy

Summary

4. The Communist Youth League

Background

Institutional Dynamics within the Komsomol

Crisis and Collapse of the All- Union Komsomol

Summary

5. Job Assignments for University Graduates

Background

Institutional Dynamics of Raspredelenie

The Collapse of the Job Assignments System

Summary

6. Universal Military Service

Background

Institutional Dynamics of Conscription Policy

Crisis and Breakdown of the Conscription System

Summary

7. The Breakdown of Hierarchy: Comparative Perspectives

Reviewing the Case Study Evidence

Additional Manifestations of Soviet Institutional Breakdown

Chinese Reforms: Successful Decentralization

8. Conclusions and Extensions: Control and Collapse in Hierarchies

Hierarchical Control and Collapse in Non-Communist Environments

After the Collapse: institutions in the Post-Communist States

Appendix: Data Sources

Notes

Glossary and Abbreviations

Index

Steven L. Solnick is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Columbia University.