Towards a Radiant Future. Nuclear Technopolitics in the Soviet Union and Beyond Since 1949

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Klaus Gestwa; Professorin Dr. Tanja Penter
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History ; History of Science
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 327790375

The research project explores the history of the Soviet atomic project from the perspectives of four corresponding case studies drawing on rich archival evidence. Looking beyond Stalin and the bomb, theses studies drive research towards new horizons. A methodological focus on technopolitics will help to tightly integrate the technological, environmental, political and cultural dimensions of the topic, aspects that have hitherto mostly been studied in isolation from each other.The project pursues two epistemological goals as well as the establishment of a new research cluster.1. Through the prism of nuclear history, it seeks to open a long-term perspective on the second half of Soviet history and beyond, a period that has hitherto been studied predominantly in chronological fragmentation. Nuclear technology is understood as a force that informed politics and shaped society in important ways; by analysing the interplay between nuclear technoscience and Party politics, between visions of a radiant future and scenarios of doom, rich insights can be gained into the forces that initially helped to build, but eventually contributed to damaging the promise of Soviet modernity.2. The project is conceptualized as a multi-level analysis of Soviet technopolitics in its local, all-Union and international dimensions. Its four sub-studies are designed to link the local micrologic of doing technology at nuclear research and production centres with the macrologic of Soviet and global Cold War politics. Embedded in a transnational perspective of entangled history, research into the Soviet atomic project can contribute towards filling the remaining gap that represents the Soviet Union in the emerging historical picture of global technopolitics. In doing so, the project will help to more clearly delineate the place of Eastern Europe in global history. 3. With a view to organizing historical research, the project is geared towards pooling and further developing existing knowledge and expertise in the history of Soviet science and technology in Southwest Germany and Switzerland. This will create a research cluster that is at the forefront of international research in the field. Presently nuclear energy, epitomizing the ambivalence of modern technology, is at the centre of public debates and political decision-making in many countries. While Germany has opted to phase out its atomic power plants, nuclear power is still seen as promising new technology throughout most of the post-Soviet space. The project therefore aims to place present developments in their historical context. Bridging the divide of 1991, it will link contemporary debates to recent history and provide important insights into post-Soviet nuclear politics. The project is thus of great societal as well as scientific relevance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Partner Organisation: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Julia Richers