The principle of democratic centralism in the management of a socialist society is the foundation for building a state and the ideological base of the Communist Party. This was directly stated in the Constitution of the USSR. Let's take a closer look at what the principle of democratic centralism implies.
General information
Historians differently assess the essence of the principle of democratic centralism. As a principle of party membership, it undoubtedly had the most important significance for the development of the entire Soviet society. The state system was built on it, the economic activity of the whole country.
Key elements
First of all, scientists identify the following three principles of democratic centralism:
- The absolute power of the workers.
- Election of governing structures.
- Accountability of organs to the masses.
These elements constitute the democratic link of centralism. At the same time, the state system was arranged in such a way that the leadership of the country was carried out from one center. In thisconnection, one should agree with the experts who identify four principles of democratic centralism: the three above are joined by the subordination of the minority to the majority.
Thus, combined leadership with the initiative and responsibility of each government agency and official for the work entrusted to him.
Formation history
The foundations of the principle of democratic centralism in the activities of state bodies were developed by Engels and Marx. At that time, the labor movement needed to join forces in the fight against the capitalist system.
In the revolutionary era, the principle of democratic centralism was developed by Lenin. In his writings, he formulated the organizational foundations of the new proletarian party:
- Membership was allowed on the basis of recognition of the program and mandatory entry into any of its organizations. Subsequently, the principles of democratic centralism were actively promoted in the Komsomol, a pioneer structure.
- Strict discipline required for every party member.
- Clear execution of decisions.
- Subordination of the minority to the majority.
- Electivity, accountability of party bodies.
- Developing the initiative and activity of the masses.
Implementation of the principle of democratic centralism
In practice, it was implemented by the Bolshevik Party. The principle was legalized by the First Bolshevik Conference in 1905. The following year, in 1906, at the Fourth Congress of the RSDLP, a provision was adopted that all party organizations shouldbuild on democratic centralism. The principle was recognized as decisive in 1919 at the Eighth Conference of the RCP(b).
After the October Revolution, the Communist Party became the ruling party. Its leaders began to extend the principle of democratic centralism to state building.
Opposition
Trotskyists, "leftists", "decists" and other anti-Soviet groups actively opposed democratic centralism. They sought to form a factional structure in the party, to undermine its unity.
At the Tenth Congress of the RCP(b) it was decided to condemn any fragmentation. At Lenin's suggestion, the resolution "On Party Unity" was approved.
Definition
The principle of democratic centralism was most fully characterized in the Charter adopted by the 17th Congress in 1934. From a philosophical point of view, it was defined by Mao Zedong. With regard to China, he said that what matters is not the form of building power, but the selection criteria that guide a certain social stratum when creating state institutions whose activities are aimed at protecting against external influences.
Mao Zedong, taking into account the realities of his time, proposed to form a structure consisting of the All-China, district, provincial, county assemblies. At the same time, state authorities should be elected at all levels. At the same time, an electoral system must function, which is based on equal, general elections, regardless of religion and gender, without educational and property rights.qualifications, etc. Only in this case can the interests of all revolutionary classes be taken into account. Such a system will allow the people to express their will, lead the fight against enemies, and the state system as a whole will correspond to the spirit of democracy.
Background
The need to form a party on the principle of democratic centralism is determined by the decisive role that workers play in the historical development of mankind. Such an organization of the structure makes it possible to take into account the opinions, will, and interests of all citizens: both party and non-party. Under democratic centralism, everyone gets the opportunity to participate in the implementation of the goals and program of the party.
The need to introduce democratic centralism is also connected with the class character of society itself. As Lenin said, the only weapon in the struggle for power of the proletariat in capitalist conditions is the organization.
In a socialist society, the Communist Party is the leader of large-scale socio-economic reforms. Accordingly, increased requirements for its organization are determined by the role of the people, the need to implement socialist ideals, a unified cultural policy, and a foreign policy line.
Economics
The implementation of the principle is of particular importance in the field of the national economy. It covers the production, exchange, distribution, consumption of goods.
The democratic essence of managing the national economic complex under socialism is predetermined by relationsproperty, is based on close connection, correspondence of interests of lower and higher levels. As a result, interaction is carried out on the basis of cooperation and mutual assistance.
Control Features
The presence of socialist property determines the need and opportunity to centralize the key functions of administration in the national economy. At the same time, the independence of individual elements of the system (enterprises, etc.) is also assumed.
Solution of local problems, development of methods and forms of implementation of the directives of higher authorities remain non-centralized.
In socialist conditions, the interests of collectives, groups, individuals coincide with the aspirations of the whole society. At the same time, objectively, there is a variety of conditions for doing business, achieving agreed, unified, centrally established goals. From this follows the need for a variety of economic decisions, ways to achieve goals within the same national economic plan.
Key questions
Centralization covers the following areas of the economic life of society:
- Formation of the structure of the national economic complex and proportions.
- Determination of the pace and directions of economic development.
- Coordination and linkage of local plans.
- Implementation of a unified state policy in the field of technical progress, capital investments, finance, prices, wages, production location.
- Developing a system of norms of economic behavior for each link of the nationaleconomic complex.
Due to this, the key role of centralized management is ensured, the real subordination of separate elements of the structure to the interests of the development of all social production. As a result, economic independence is formed within the constraints.
Negative factors
Lenin wrote that the departure from the basic ideas of democratic centralism would lead to its anarcho-syndicalist transformation. In his writings, the Bolshevik leader pointed out the need for a clear understanding of the degree of their difference from the bureaucratic trend on the one hand and anarchism on the other.
Bureaucratic centralism, according to Lenin, is dangerous because it significantly fetters the initiative of the masses, creates obstacles to the full identification and effective use of economic development reserves. The fight against such transformations is one of the key problems of improving the administrative system in a socialist society. At the same time, according to Lenin, anarcho-syndicalism poses no less danger. As it develops, the foundations of centralism are undermined and obstacles are created for the effective use of its advantages. Anarcho-syndicalism entails fragmented action.
Democratic centralism, Lenin believed, not only does not exclude, but also implies absolute freedom of territories, communities in matters of developing forms of social, state, economic life.
