area handbook series Czechoslovakia a country study Czechoslovakia a country study Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Ihor Gawdiak Research Completed August 1987 On the cover: Judith Gate, Prague Third Edition; First Printing, 1989. Copyright ®1989 United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army. All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Czechoslovakia: a country study. (DA pam 550-158) ; "Research completed August 1987." Bibliography: pp. 363-391. Includes index. D Supt. of Docs. no. 101.22:550-158/987 : 1. Czechoslovakia. I. Gawdiak, Ihor Y., 1935- . II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. III. Series. DB2011.C93 1989 943.7 88-600487 Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-155 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,D.C. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series of books now being prepared by the Federal Research Division ofthe Library ofCon- — gress underthe Country Studies Area Handbook Program. The last page of this book lists the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzingits political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation- ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study iswritten by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, theirorigins, dominantbeliefs andvalues, theircom- mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheirinvolvementwith national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern- ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel- comed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Acting Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 iii Acknowledgments The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of numer- ous individuals to this edition ofCzechoslovakia:A CountryStudy. They are particularly grateful to the writers ofthe 1982 edition: Rosalyn Unger, "Historical Setting"; PatriciaA. Kluck, "The Society and Its Environment"; Darrel R. Elgin, "The Economy"; James D. Rudolph, "Government and Politics"; and Eugene K. Keefe, "National Security." This work provided the organization and structure for the present volume as well as a considerable portion of the text. The authors also express their gratitude to the individuals in government agencies and private institutions who graciously con- tributed their time, research materials, and extensive knowledge ofCzechoslovak affairs. GeorgeJ. Kovtun, Czechoslovak Specialist in the Library ofCongress, provided valuable insight and sugges- tions for the "Historical Setting" chapter, as did EllenJones and Lyston Lea ofthe Defense Intelligence Agency for the "National Security" chapter. The authors are also indebted to many members ofthe staffof the Federal Research Divisions for their significant contributions to the production of this volume. They are particularly grateful to Richard F. Nyrop, who reviewed the drafts ofthe chapters and provided guidance in all aspects of the preparation of the book; Raymond E. Zickel, who provided substantive editing and valua- ble comments; Barbara Dash and Marilyn Majeska, who edited the manuscript; and editorial assistants Barbara Edgerton, Monica Shimmin, and Izella Watson, who helped prepare the manuscript. Special thanks are owed TeresaE. Kemp and David P. Cabitto, who designed the artwork on the cover and the title page ofeach chapter; Cabitto also oversaw the preparation and production of the graphic art, maps, and illustrations, which were prepared by Harriet R. Blood, Sandra K. Cotugno, Kimberly E. Lord, and Keith Bechard. Susan Lender and Carolina E. Forrester helped select and modify maps for the publication. Thanks also go to Sisto M. Flores, who provided information on ranks and insignia. Andrea T. Merrill performed the final editorial review, and Margo Varghese prepared the index. Marilyn Majeska managed book production. Malinda B. Neale, ofthe Library ofCongress Com- posing Unit, prepared the camera-ready copy under the supervi- sion of Peggy Pixley. v Finally, the authors wish to note the generosity of individuals and private agencies who provided photographs foruse in this book. The authors are especially grateful for original work not previously published. vi