On the Illegitimacy of the Soviet Power

Sociological polls and other sources, as well electoral statistics, show that Soviet power in 1918– 1989 met the main criteria for legitimacy. In 1918–1929, majority of voters, 1931–1989 over 83 % electorate, were loyal to regime, trusted communists general course current policy, satisfied with status ordinary builders socialism, believed socialist project. Official information on turnout voting is trustworthy, although it has serious shortcomings likely underestimates scale protest vote (failure appear, damage ballots, against). Election results influenced by laws, propaganda, control voting. However, clean elections have never happened anywhere. The legitimacy any civilized country was supported developed USSR not more powerful than, example, USA or Germany. study allows us assume until mid-1980s people’s confidence ensured so much propaganda as, first, achievements USSR, which considered population be real, significant, deserving respect; second, faith project; third, peculiarities political culture peasantry proletariat inherited from pre-revolutionary times. From their perspective, people interacted authorities participated management. project only a small minority represented grandiose myth, gigantic campaign, an adventure scam world-historical scale.