Editing Eastern Bloc (section)

==Concealed transformation dynamics==
At first, the Soviets concealed their role in other Eastern Bloc politics, with the transformation appearing as a modification of Western "[[bourgeois democracy]]".<ref name="wettig37"/> As a young communist was told in East Germany, "it's got to look democratic, but we must have everything in our control".<ref>{{Harvnb|Crampton|1997|p=211}}</ref> Stalin felt that socioeconomic transformation was indispensable to establish Soviet control, reflecting the Marxist–Leninist view that material bases, the distribution of the means of production, shaped social and political relations.<ref name="wettig36"/> The Soviet Union also co-opted the Eastern European countries into its sphere of influence by making reference to some cultural commonalities.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lewkowicz|first=Nicolas|title=The United States, the Soviet Union and the Geopolitical Implications of the Origins of the Cold War|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2018|isbn=978-1783087990|location=New York|page=119}}</ref>

Moscow-trained cadres were put into crucial power positions to fulfill orders regarding sociopolitical transformation.<ref name="wettig36">{{Harvnb|Wettig|2008|p=36}}</ref> Elimination of the [[bourgeoisie]]'s social and financial power by expropriation of landed and industrial property was accorded absolute priority.<ref name="wettig37">{{Harvnb|Wettig|2008|p=37}}</ref> These measures were publicly billed as "reforms" rather than socioeconomic transformations.<ref name="wettig37"/> Except for initially in Czechoslovakia, activities by political parties had to adhere to "Bloc politics", with parties eventually having to accept membership in an "antifascist bloc" obliging them to act only by mutual "consensus".<ref name="wettig38">{{Harvnb|Wettig|2008|p=38}}</ref> The bloc system permitted the Soviet Union to exercise domestic control indirectly.<ref name="wettig39">{{Harvnb|Wettig|2008|p=39}}</ref>

Crucial departments such as those responsible for personnel, general police, secret police and youth were strictly Communist run.<ref name="wettig39"/> Moscow cadres distinguished "progressive forces" from "reactionary elements" and rendered both powerless. Such procedures were repeated until Communists had gained unlimited power and only politicians who were unconditionally supportive of Soviet policy remained.<ref name="wettig41">{{Harvnb|Wettig|2008|p=41}}</ref>