Epistemic Communities and ‘Agents of Influence’: Insights from Soviet Intelligence Documents

Abstract

The peaceful end of the Cold War highlighted the power of ideas diffused through transnational networks of scientists—epistemic communities—in international politics. Drawing on Soviet intelligence documents, this article explores a hidden dimension of the relationship between Western scholars and autocracies: ‘agents of influence’. Both epistemic communities and agents of influence share a common policy enterprise, such as the prevention of nuclear war. Soviet intelligence sought out ‘sophisticated’ foreigners whose views were partially congruent with Soviet perspectives, gradually broadening common ground, and prompting them to attempt to influence a target state’s public, parliament or government.