The Fur Hat

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Many social classes within society today receive little attention, but one class within America and in other powerful states that receive benefits and are a constant conversation of state politics are the war veterans of a nation. The same can be spoken of the Soviet Union during the Brezhnev area, as many of these soldiers were loyal cadres to the communist system, and received many privileges of the state. In the book “The Fur Hat” this class is represented by Pytor Nikolaevich Lukin, a prominent member of the writers’ union who will be discussed within the essay. How did the members of this class affect society during the Brezhnev era? War veterans from the Soviet Union were principle actors who oversaw policy planning within the government …show more content…

Lukin is a man who started out as a man who was born in the Soviet Union and was imprisoned during the great purges, rehabilitated, and then instituted a medal for his loyalty. “And the party appreciated his devotion… it had got him this job with the writers” Many of those who survived the purges were considered stalwart, and despite suffering, were still loyal to the communist cause. Lukin also fought in many campaigns, “he knew that he belonged in every fiber of his being, body, and soul, only to the security system… the party and the system were one for him” These men were devoted to the ideologies of old and wanted only the best for the system because they were heroes and did all they can to serve the Soviet Union. Lukin obtained a position as the Moscow Division Secretary of organizational affairs, and even if it was not his specialty, he was glad to serve the system in any he could. The implementation of war veterans to positions that they were unqualified could lead to inefficiencies within the economy and society. It was proven that the planned economy and foreign policy of the Soviet Union did not fare so well, and in theory are the result of those who control the …show more content…

Yefim who is a writer and the main character of the book was not in awe at all with Lukin. “He belonged to a breed of men which, thank god, has practically become extinct in our country.” The lack of good planning within the government lead to the poor quality of consumer products and economic reform. Youth would rather own products from western capitalist states than own products from the fatherland. Communism which was a beam of society in old times waxed cold with Brezhnev’s generation. This has much to do with the influences of western society and Brezhnev’s take on governing, but blame may go around to those within the party that felt Stalin reforms and policy making was still the best solution to solving problems. Men like Lukin tried to prevent Yefim, who went against the norm of society, from damaging society, but could not stop the fire within

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