In the us, there was a dark and dismal corner of poltical science called Kremlinology, where far to much attention was payed to the positions various people were during speeches and parades, trying to determine who was and was not influential with in party at any given time, and then try to determine Soviet policy and action based on this.
Having access to the archives, we now know that they were almost entirely wrong, and the times when they were right were basically just random chance.
Like, it was ancient divination more than it was real analysis. People called them out on it at the time, but, they were influential because the CIA was gullible and congress was desperate for any sort of insight.
Collatz_problem@hexbear.net 3 hours ago
I’m really interested in what sources this articles cites.