The Sino-Soviet Split, Communist Aid, and Authoritarian Promotion During the Cold War

Abstract

Abstract Communist regimes promoted authoritarianism abroad because of their ideological commitment to the norm of “proletarian internationalism”: building up communist states as a bulwark against the imperialist West. Unity gave way to the Sino-Soviet split, an ideological dispute over leadership of the communist movement. Moscow and Beijing sought to promote their versions of communism by providing economic aid abroad. Chinese attacks on Soviet aid caused Moscow to offer economic aid on increasingly favorable terms, abandoning any notion of economic benefits in its pursuit of ideological supremacy. Non-European communist regimes initially responded by balancing between Moscow and Beijing, avoiding taking sides in the conflict. Chinese coercion convinced Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam to turn toward Moscow, joining the CMEA (Comecon). Once members, they successfully lobbied for massive increases in aid. Statistical analysis of Soviet aid provision suggests economic aid went primarily to communist regimes (especially CMEA members) and members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Key findings

• ▸Communist regimes promoted authoritarianism abroad due to ideological commitment to proletarian internationalism
• ▸The Sino-Soviet split led to a competition in providing economic aid abroad, with Moscow offering aid on increasingly favorable terms
• ▸Statistical analysis shows economic aid went primarily to communist regimes and Non-Aligned Movement members

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1093/9780198994602.003.0003

Journal

The Enduring Power of Communism

Year

2026