ADMINISTRATIVE ABUSES AND ACTS OF CORRUPTION COMMITTED BY THE SOVIET NOMENKLATURA DURING THE FAMINE IN THE MOLDAVIAN SSR (1946-1947)

Abstract

The article examines the main forms of administrative abuse and corrupt practices manifested within the Soviet administration of the Moldavian SSR during the famine of 1946–1947, based on archival documents, memoir sources, the Soviet press and specialized literature. Particular attention is paid to documents from the holdings of the Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, which provide information on the diversion of food intended for the population affected by famine, abuses committed by officials, deficiencies in the distribution of aid, the use of public office for personal interests, and violations of official duties in various state institutions. The study also compares internal administrative records with the official discourse promoted by the Soviet press in order to highlight the discrepancies between the public representation of the situation in the republic and the realities recorded in administrative reports. The analysis indicates that corrupt practices and administrative abuses reduced the effectiveness of measures intended to alleviate the effects of the famine and increased the vulnerability of the population. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the Soviet administrative system and its impact on Moldavian SSR society during the post-war period.