Vol. XIII (2007), no 20 - The International Newsletter of Communist ...

The International Newletter of Communist Studies Online XIII (2007), no 20 40
65), and its focus on the hierarchical structure, mechanisms of administration and system of
subordination in the Comintern apparatus.
The major task of providing the research with academic relevance is two-folded. First, the
methodological approach has from the very beginning intended to put the pieces together by
using different archival collections (Moscow, Berlin, London, Stockholm), in order to obtain an
“inside” perspective on the LAI. Thus, a position like this has made it possible to distinguish
the space of human agency in the organization, and to break away from stereotypes and fixed
models. Secondly, previous research has in principal neglected the purpose and functions of
the front organizations; instead, focus has mainly been put either on the relations between
the national Communist Parties and Moscow, or for that matter, the organisational structure
of the Comintern apparatus in Moscow. At last, the history of Comintern and international
communism is a vital part of twentieth century social and political history, and if neglected,
the risk is as journalist Anne Applebaum (2003) once pointed out, that the writing of the
history of the “short twentieth century” becomes somewhat warped.
Research Questions & Limitations
Below follow a couple of questions, acting as analytical threads during the research process:
- Why a league against imperialism?
- Which characteristics do the political, social and individual networks reveal in relation to
LAI, and how did the Comintern try to use them?
- Which actors, both individual and institutional, were notably active within the network?
- How did the LAI follow and adjust to the instructions of the Comintern headquarters in
Moscow, and vice versa?
- Did a situation of struggle and rivalry develop between individuals in the LAI and
other bodies engaged in the anti-imperialist work?
- What position and relevance did front organizations such as the LAI have in, and for, the
Comintern?
The thesis deals with the years 1924 to 1933. The major focal point is set on LAI’s
International Secretariat in Berlin, its organisational and individual composition, and the
relations with Comintern headquarters in Moscow. This limitation has been adopted in order
to concentrate on the axis Berlin – Moscow – Anti-imperialism.
Sources, Archives & Timetable
As previously mentioned, the major bulk of empirical material is stored in the Comintern
archive. So far, four research trips have been done to Moscow. 85 Documents and files
representing the apparatus of the Comintern (LAI, Political Secretariat, Political Commission,
Agitprop Department, Eastern Secretariat, Executive Committee of the Comintern [ECCI],
Western European Bureau, ECCI Presidium, personal files etc.) have been investigated. Other
archives and their collections that provided useful information, are the Federal Archives
Stiftung Archiv der Parteien und Massenorganisationen der DDR (SAPMO) in Berlin, Germany,
85 Research has been carried out in cooperation with supervisor Professor Holger Weiss, Dr. Risto
Marjomaa, and assistant Dr. Tatjana Androsova.