Cybernetics and "scientific-technological revolution" in the Soviet Union 1948-1980

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Plaggenborg
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 276412065

Cybernetics and *scientific-technological revolution* were highly esteemed among Soviet leaders in the post-Stalinist era as appropriate means of managing complex processes in Soviet society, administration and economy in the next future. The post-stalinist turn in politics is thus shown by techniques of knowledge instead of physical violence under Stalinism. Scientific methods ought to better investigating, controlling, operating, and dynamizing pro-cesses of economic and societal development. For reasons of limitation, the research project explores course and results of cybernetics and *scientific-technological revolution* and their mutual relationship with society and politics. Thus it will help to understand concepts and operations of change in Soviet politics and society that were based on scientific intersection and explanation rather than ideology, and where we find phenomena of belief in science as well as scientifically based illusions of control and feasibility.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants