Behind the Iron Curtain

This edited volume offers a systematic exploration of the relations between Western and Eastern scientists during the Cold War from the Eastern European perspective using the example of economic history. Introducing famous as well as almost forgotten scholars who attempted to eliminate the Iron Curtain and strove to break through the obstacles against the transfer of scientific ideas, the book challenges the narrative of the non-cooperative nature of scientific work during the Cold War due to socialist scientists’ incapability and disinclination to engage openly in international discussions.

The book contributes to a deeper collective understanding of the multiple contemporary ideological and political circumstances that influenced scientific work and individual scientists' careers and explores the options scientists in socialist countries had - and utilized - to develop their research in collaboration with their Western colleagues.