p The solution of the immense tasks involved in the building of communism is inconceivable without the further development of democracy and active participation of all people in socialist construction.

p In the period of the gradual transition from socialism to communism, the Soviet state develops in the direction of the further promotion of democracy combined with improvement of its economic-organisational and culturaleducational activity. “All-round extension and perfection of socialist democracy, active participation of all citizens in the administration of the state, in the management of economic and cultural development, improvement of the government apparatus, and increased control over its activity by the people,” states the CPSU Programme, “constitute the main direction in which socialist statehood develops in the period of the building of communism.”  [301•* 

p The CPSU and the Soviet Government are consistently strengthening the Leninist norms of Party life and government activity and further broadening Soviet democracy. The Leninist principle of democratic centralism which ensures the proper combination of centralised leadership with the maximum encouragement of local initiative, the extension of the rights of the Union republics, local organs of government and economic executives, has been given all-round development.

p Legislation in the fields of law, the administrative and territorial structure and in other important fields of economic, state and cultural development has been invested in the Union republics. The Soviets of People’s Deputies play an increasing role in communist construction. By their very nature the Soviets have been and continue to be not only state organisations but also public organisations, and, in view of the increasing and direct participation of the people in their activity, are becoming even more so as society advances towards communism. For example, more than 30 million activists take part in the work of the standing commissions, non-staff departments, people’s voluntary inspections, groups of non-staff instructors, etc., which have been 302 set up by the Executive Committees of the Soviets.

p A law was adopted in the USSR on the status of a deputy which precisely defines the rights and duties of deputies, and the duties of state and public bodies with respect to them. Laws on village, settlement, district and city Soviets were also passed. They enhanced the role of these bodies in directing economic, social and cultural development on territories under their administration.

p On October 7, 1977, the new Constitution (Fundamental Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics—the law of life of developed socialism— was adopted. It gives a full picture of mature socialism, its economic and political system, social structure and spiritual development and its foreign policy, and shows the great gains of socialist democracy, the extensive rights and freedoms of the citizens and their duties, the national-state structure of the USSR, the system of the organs of power and administration, and other important principles of statehood.

p The development of democracy in a socialist society finds its expression in the growth of the role played in it by mass public organisations of the working people— the trade unions, the Leninist Young Communist League (YCL), cooperatives, and cultural and educational societies. Public organisations have always been faithful assistants of the Communist Party and the Soviet Government, channels of their policy, and in the course of communist construction their functions in the solution of important matters of state will continue to grow.

p The trade unions play an increasing role in the spheres of economic and cultural development. They are a school of communist education, a school of economic management.

p The trade unions directly further the exercise of democracy in production, the basic sphere in which man’s creative efforts are applied. Their main task is to protect the rights and interests of the working people and actively deal with everyday social questions. The trade unions are wholly dedicated to the working man’s interests and, therefore, they are concerned with boosting production, strengthening labour discipline and promoting labour productivity.

p A major role in communist construction and the communist education of young people is played by YCL 303 members. The task now facing the YCL is to further increase the participation of young people in economic and cultural development, in the country’s political affairs, to cultivate in young men and women a high level of ideological integrity and devotion to the Party’s cause, love for their socialist homeland, preparedness to protect it, a sense of fraternal friendship for the people of other socialist countries, and internationalist solidarity with all the exploited and the oppressed.

p The importance of the co-operatives (collective farms, consumer and other co-operative organisations) is growing, and creative unions, scientific, scientific and technical, cultural and educational, sports and other societies and organisations are broadening their activities.

p The role played by work collectives is also increasing. As the USSR Constitution notes they take part in considering and deciding state and public affairs, in planning production and social development, in training and placement of personnel, in examining and deciding matters pertaining to the management of enterprises and offices, the improvement of working and living conditions, the administration of funds allocated for expanding production and for social and cultural purposes and material incentives. Work collectives promote socialist emulation, the spread of advanced methods of work, and the strengthening of labour discipline, educate their members in the spirit of communist morality, promote their political awareness, culture and professional skill.

Development of socialist democracy directly depends on the consolidation of the state, the increased organisation of society and the consolidation of socialist law and order and discipline. With this aim in view the Party helps to improve Soviet legislation, the work of the militia, the procurator’s offices, courts and judiciary bodies.