7 - Deepening divisions

Summary

As has been made clear throughout the preceding chapters, postwar Czechoslovak society was by no means free from conflicts. There were unmistakable social tensions that could find expression in the differing social policies of the parties. There were continuing conflicts over the general issue of nationalisations and tension was generated by the natural rivalry between parties.

Nevertheless, at least until mid 1947, there did not appear to be an unbridgeable gulf. Even the Communist Party's stated aim of winning an absolute majority and of ultimately establishing effectively a one-party state need not have been totally disruptive of the existing coalition. Aims could have changed, or been postponed indefinitely, in line with the practical realities of politics and so as to keep political tensions at a low enough level in the interests of cooperation on other issues.

It is possible to conceive of Czechoslovakia developing, broadly under Communist leadership, with a gradual extension of economic planning and some further nationalisations. This would have involved some sharp disagreements, but not necessarily a fierce struggle for power. Ideas on the future of the private sector and of agriculture could then have evolved gradually, in line with the possibilities opened up by the reconstruction and further development of industry. Collectivisation of agriculture could have been encouraged considerably later, when justified by the potential for mechanisation.

This process would have been reinforced by an increase in the Communist vote, but to hope for 51 % as early as 1948 was probably both over-ambitious and unnecessary. Czechoslovakia seemed at the time essentially safe from the machinations of ‘reaction’ and the Social Democrats were helping and enriching rather than opposing the general direction of development.