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Across Autocracies. Mid-Level Elites from the Slovak State to Communist Czechoslovakia

This project explores the trajectories and motivations of mid-level elites of the fascist Slovak state—teachers, clergy, and lawyers—who were tried for collaboration yet later found ways to continue their careers under the communist regime. Mid-level actors function as intermediaries between state ideology and local realities, wielding significant authority within their communities. This “muddled middle” is crucial for understanding continuities and ruptures across autocracies. Rather than focusing on high-ranking officials or ideological architects, or framing history in binary terms, this project investigates those who embedded themselves in the fascist state and later repositioned themselves under communism. By tracing their personal and professional trajectories, we uncover patterns of adaptation, complicity, and survival, offering a new lens on how individuals navigated shifting political landscapes. This actor-centered approach bridges institutional and everyday analyses, providing an emotionally driven reading of repressive regimes’ inner workings.

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