p The change in the balance of world forces in favour of
socialism lias given rise to a situation conducive for the advance of the revolutionary movement of the proletariat and all working people in the capitalist countries. By force of the example set by it the socialist system is revolutionising the minds of the working people, inspiring them to rise to the struggle against capitalism, for peace and social progress, for the triumph of democracy and socialism. The economic, political and cultural achievements of the socialist countries and the dissatisfaction of the broad masses with the reactionary policy of imperialism, especially with the intensification of the war psychosis and the arms race, the main burden of which falls on the shoulders of the masses, enlarge the social basis of the working-class movement. More and more people—peasants, petty urban bourgeoisie, progressive intellectuals—are beginning to realise that only the working class can deliver them from imperialist oppression and that they can find happiness only under socialism.

p Today the working class has the all-round support of the socialist countries. This moral assistance (monolithic solidarity with, approval and admiration of and alignment with their heroic struggle) and direct material assistance (financial, food and other aid to striking workers and their 72 families, and to working people suffering from the arbitrary action of the imperialists, natural catastrophes, and so forth) give the working class and their allies strength in their titanic struggle, inspire them with confidence in victory and allow them to feel that their class comrades are by their side.

p The peoples of the socialist countries energetically protest against the reactionary policies of the ruling imperialist circles—against the persecution of Communist Parties and other progressive organisations, against the persecution of progressive civic leaders, against anti-labour and other anti-democratic laws, and against the brutality of the imperialists with regard to the working people. The peoples of the socialist countries were the first to denounce the fascist Franco regime in Spain, the racist Verwoerd regime in the South African Republic, the racist policy of the rulers of the southern states of the U.S.A., and so forth,

p Support for the progressive forces and the condemnation of imperialist reaction by the world socialist system unquestionably promote the working-class movement in the capitalist countries. In many capitalist countries the working-class movement is headed by battle-steeled Marxist parties, which broadly apply the experience of the Communist Parties of the socialist countries and constantly exchange views with them on major problems of the revolutionary movement.

In their fight against the export of counter-revolution by world reaction, the working people of the capitalist countries can rely on the support of the world socialist system. When they triumph they can count on the wholehearted assistance and support of the socialist countries in the building of the new, socialist society. This is strikingly illustrated by the experience of the struggle and victorious revolution in Cuba.