The video podcast “What Was Communism? We Ask Jörg Baberowski” explores the history, ideas, and impact of communism in the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its launch nearly three years ago, 21 series have already been released: for example, on revolutionary Russia, Homo Sovieticus, political humor in the Soviet Union, or communism in Albania—always with the aim of illustrating historical contexts and drawing connections to the present. In the video podcast, Jörg Baberowski, Professor of Eastern European History at HU, answers questions about communist movements and regimes worldwide and analyzes historical upheavals as well as everyday experiences. The current season focuses on the development of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
What does the podcast deal with?
The video podcast "What was communism? We ask Jörg Baberowski" is dedicated to the history, ideas and effects of communism in the 20th and 21st centuries. The podcast started nearly three years ago with the topic "Communism and Utopia", and since then there have been 21 seasons, which in short clips or longer episodes address topics such as "Communism and Democracy", "Women in Soviet Communism" or "Political Jokes in the Soviet Union". The programme looks at communist movements, regimes and ideologies around the world - from Europe to Asia and Latin America. Eastern Europe expert Jörg Baberowski will talk about the emergence and reality of communist regimes, central figures, political and social structures and the consequences of communism. It is not only about the major historical upheavals, but also about everyday realities. The result is a digital compendium on the history of ideas and the political dimension of communism - always with the aim of making the historical context clear and comprehensible and establishing links to the present.
Who is the target audience?
The podcast is aimed at a broad audience: pupils, students, teachers and anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of recent history. It is particularly aimed at people who are interested in political education, social developments and international contexts.
Who are the makers?
The production is a cooperation between the Chair for the History of Eastern Europe at Humboldt-Universität, the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship, the Yearbook for Historical Communism Research and the website kommunismusgeschichte.de.
What is the current series about?
The current 22nd and most comprehensive season to date is entitled "The Party is always right! An anatomy of the CPSU". In short episodes, the development, organisation, ideology and power mechanisms of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union are analysed from its beginnings to the present day. Topics covered include the differences between the Bolshevik Party and other socialist groups, the structure of the party after the October Revolution, the role of the Comintern, personality cults, party purges, the relationship between the party and the state apparatus, the changes after Stalin's death, Gorbachev's reforms and the role of the party in today's Russia. The series also addresses current research and audience questions.
Who hosts the podcast? Who are the guests?
Ulrich Mählert, Head of the Annual Exhibitions and History of Communism Department at the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the Communist Regime, will host the programme. In addition to Jörg Baberowski, other experts have their say in individual episodes, for example on the economic history of the Soviet Union or communism in Albania. Questions from viewers are regularly taken up and answered in separate episodes.
What's next?
The podcast has been published regularly on YouTube, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and kommunismusgeschichte.de since autumn 2022. The topics are continuously expanded, current political developments and new research findings are incorporated into the discussions. Live events and short videos round off the programme. The next seasons and episodes will deal with the topics of art and culture under communism, communist movements in Central and South America, Africa and Asia as well as the biographies of communist leaders.
Further information
Current season "The party is always right! An anatomy of the CPSU" on youtube
All seasons and episodes of the video podcast "What was communism? We ask Jörg Baberowski" on youtube