The search for optimal mechanisms to accelerate the pace of scientific research implementation in the USSR in the second half of the 1960s: new documents

Scientific article

DOI 10.28995/2073-0101-2026-1-214-234

For citation

Bodrova, E. V., Kalinov, V. V. (2026). The search for optimal mechanisms to accelerate the pace of scientific research implementation in the USSR in the second half of the 1960s: new documents, Herald of an Archivist, no. 1, pp. 214-234. DOI 10.28995/2073-0101-2026-1-214-234

Bodrova, E. V., MIREA – Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russia

Kalinov, V. V., Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas (National Research) University, Moscow, Russia

The search for optimal mechanisms to accelerate the pace of scientific research implementation in the USSR in the second half of the 1960s: new documents

Abstract

Based on a study of declassified archival documents from the collection of the Central Committee of the CPSU at the Russian State Archive of Contemporary History (RGANI), this paper examines the highly pressing issue of finding mechanisms to overcome the slow implementation of research results into production in the USSR in the second half of the 1960s and to ensure interaction between the defense-industrial complex (DIC) and civilian industries to this end. Modernization theory served as the foundation for this study. The transition to the late-industrial stage of modernization necessitated the identification of scientific and technological policy as a special area of government activity, interaction between the civilian and defense sectors, and support for the development of a system of "dual technologies." The documents reviewed, sent to the central party and government bodies and containing data on the development of the USSR's scientific and technological potential, a comparative analysis of indicators with the United States, as well as the conclusions and proposals of the heads of various departments, specialists, and scientists, allowed for a more accurate understanding of the problems existing in the Soviet economy at that time, particularly in the area of implementing the results of research and development (R&D) in production and transferring some of these results to the civilian sector. They also allowed for the conclusion that their authors had assessed the situation quite accurately, and their recommendations were based on a qualified analysis of domestic and international experience. The documents sent to the CPSU Central Committee by experts emphasized the need for priority support for instrument-making, the chemical, metallurgical, and mechanical engineering industries, and computing technology, the importance of accelerating capital construction, and reorganizing the management system at various levels. Some authors directly pointed to planning shortcomings and the contradictory position of the USSR State Planning Committee, as well as a lack of appropriations. As a result, special commissions were created and decrees were passed, but a fundamental overhaul of the organization of scientific research, the promotion of innovation, and the coordination of developments in the civilian and defense sectors never occurred. Several reasons have been cited: the lack of a comprehensive, unified state scientific and technical policy and a system responsible for its development and intersectoral coordination; insufficient cooperation between the defense and civilian sectors; the traditional departmental approach; and the ineffectiveness of measures to accelerate the implementation of research and development (R&D) results in production.

Keywords

Scientific and technical potential of the USSR, Apparatus of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, state scientific and technical policy, departmental approach, intersectoral coordination, Gosplan of the USSR, research and development, implementation of results, technological lag, military-industrial complex, interaction of the defense and civil sectors of the USSR.

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About authors

Bodrova Elena Vladimirovna, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, MIREA – Russian Technological University, Institute of Management Technologies, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Head of Department, Moscow, Russia, 8-916-637-55-74, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kalinov Vyacheslav Viktorovich, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas (National Research) University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of History, head of department, Moscow, Russia, 8-915-227-42-04, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The article was received in the editorial office on 30.01.2025, recommended for publication on 20.12.2025.