Empire of Knowledge

Empire of Knowledge: The Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1917-1970) explores the unparalleled scope and influence of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, an institution that served as both the pinnacle of Soviet scholarly achievement and a crucial mechanism for integrating science with state ideology. Spanning its origins in 1917 to its role in the post-Stalinist era, the book delves into the Academy's evolution amidst dramatic political, social, and technological changes. By 1970, the Academy encompassed 240 research bodies, employed over 35,000 individuals, and played a pivotal role in shaping Soviet science policy. The study highlights its dual identity: as a government agency driving the integration of Marxist ideology into scientific exploration and as a microcosm of the global scientific community, striving to maintain intellectual autonomy and uphold the universal ethos of science.

This comprehensive account examines the Academy's institutional dynamics, including its pivotal role in the decentralization of research, its response to Stalinist policies, and the subsequent efforts to reconcile science with political authority. The narrative illuminates the tension between the state's ideological demands and the scientific community's commitment to intellectual freedom. By investigating the Academy's historical trajectory, the book offers insights into the broader relationship between knowledge production, political authority, and cultural values. Readers will find a nuanced exploration of how an institution can simultaneously foster groundbreaking scientific innovation and serve as a tool for ideological conformity, revealing the intricate interplay of science, politics, and society in the Soviet Union.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1984.