Book launch for Secret Leviathan: Secrecy and State Capacity under Soviet Communism by Mark Harrison a great success

CAGE was pleased to host the launch for Mark Harrison’s new book Secret Leviathan: Secrecy and State Capacity under Soviet Communism on Thursday 5th October.

Secret Leviathan – which Mark has spent many years researching – looks at how between 1917 and 1991 the Soviet Union became one of the most secretive states that has ever existed.

The book explores how this system of secrecy worked, and uncovers how secrecy served to both strengthen, and weaken, the Soviet state. Ultimately, it raised transaction costs, incentivized indecision, compromised the effectiveness of government officials, eroded citizens' trust in institutions and in each other, and led to a secretive society and an uninformed elite.

The event was held in the illustrious Council Room at the British Academy in London and was attended by over 40 guests comprised of academics, colleagues, students, and alumni.

Mark was introduced by CAGE Research Director Bishnupriya Gupta, and then gave a 30-minute talk about his findings while writing and researching the book, followed by questions from the guests.

Mark Harrison said: “I was excited to bring together an amazing group of social scientists and historians to consider a topic from history that has become all-too-practically relevant again today. I was also blown away to find my own students from 20, 30, even 40 years ago in the audience. I'm grateful to CAGE for making it happen.”

For more information or to purchase a copy of Secret Leviathan, please click here and use the discount code FSS23 to get 20% off