| This thesis examines the history of the Soviet Union's ice hockey program as a social and political institution. The standard view, as expressed in the currently available secondary sources, is that Soviet sport was highly centralized and heavily politicized. Through an examination of unpublished archival documents and Russian-language biographical materials, this thesis will offer a more nuanced interpretation of one sport, the game of ice hockey. It is the author's contention that ice hockey was not monolithic in its structure, but was subject to the influence of several competing interest groups and individuals. Political indoctrination was superficial and interference by the authorities was limited. In reality, while eager to take credit for major international victories, the bureaucracy was reluctant to sanction international matches, and was content to leave the sport in the hands of professional coaches and specialists. This distance from politics, it will be argued, was the principle reason for the success of the sport in the USSR. |
