TEST BY WAR: PRODUCERS' CO-OPERATION OF UDMURTIA IN 1941-1945

The article discusses the conditions and directions of the cooperative industry of the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic during the Great Patriotic War. It is emphasized that the declared topic, especially in the regional aspect, has been investigated weakly by modern historical science. Based on the theoretical provisions formulated by leading scientists, among which the statement about the mixed nature of the "Stalinist" economy, as well as on the neoinstitutional approach and unpublished archival documents, the author presents specific data on the volume and assortment of products manufactured by the producers' co-operation of the republic. The number of existing enterprises and their membership staff is clarifieD. The thesis is argued that already in the initial period of the war, despite the severe supply crisis, many partnerships, on the instructions of the authorities, were re-profiled from civilian production to the production of military products. Measures are shown to solve problems such as material, technical, raw materials and personnel support, and the fight against defects. Separately, the plot is illuminated about the use of state benefits, market mechanisms and the implementation of piece-processing wages to stimulate the production of wide consumption products intended for sale among the population. Taken in conjunction, these steps led to bringing the production system to a stable development path. According to the author, the vitality of the cooperative sector to a large extent is explained by its inclusion in informal economic relations. It was concluded that it is precisely the combination of strict administration when performing defense orders and utilitarian-pragmatic motivation in the expansion of local turnover that makes it possible to characterize the policy pursued in relation to commercial artels as an effective one.