ABSTRACT
Every state, regime, political party, public organization, and sports team, and almost every association, commercial society, and industrial establishment, has its own symbol or logo. This allows partisans, customers, and fans to recognize the bearer easily and to develop an allegiance to the program, club, or product symbolized. In many third world countries where illiteracy is widespread, voting is conducted with party logos, not written names. It is understood that any citizen should be able to recognize a party symbol quite easily. Whether it is an alligator on a polo shirt, an eagle on a car hood, an elephant or a donkey on a political poster, an effective symbol evokes a very specific image. The Soviet regime was from its very outset enamored of symbols and slogans. The illiteracy of the masses made these tools essential for effective allegiance-gathering.
