Socialist competition in Soviet universities in the pre-war period of the USSR (1929-1941): financial and non-financial incentives of labor

The article analyzes the use of financial and non-financial incentives in labor activity in the context of socialist competition in Soviet universities in the pre-war period of the USSR development (1929-1941). The author attempts to examine the main methods and forms of stimulation of socialist competition participants (primarily udarniks [highly productive workers] of labor). A comprehensive analysis of archival materials gives arguments proving the active practice of financial stimulation of socialist competition participants in the 1930s. According to the author’s opinion, financial and non-financial incentives should be considered in a holistic way, and not in isolation from each other, since the behavior of the Soviet person was determined by the permanent influence of the both. The main forms of financial incentives were cash bonuses and bonus funds to encourage the best in a particular activity. In addition, in the context of socialist competition in Soviet universities in the given period, the article analyzes the ad-vantages/privileges of socialist competition udarniks/participants in the living sphere (additional food and reduced prices in university canteens, preferential material supply of udarniks and better housing conditions) and advantages in satisfying cultural and aesthetic needs. The main forms of non-financial incentives were: 1) public acceptance or censure via the media and mass presentation tools (the media coverage of activities and achievements of socialist competition participants in the faculty, institute, city and regional press, in wall newspapers and newsletters of socialist competition; visual presentation of individual and collective results of socialist competition on the “red” and “black” boards, special boards for socialist competition in universities and hostels); 2) granting commemorative awards, titles and badges of merit. The author concludes that in the course of the formation and development of socialist competition in the pre-war period of the USSR development (1929-1941), both financial and non-financial incentives were permanently used in the Soviet university, the impact of which should be considered holistically. Arguments also prove that financial stimulation of socialist competition participants was a common practice.

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