In what year did the Constitution of "developed socialism" take place?

In the new edition of the Constitution of the USSR it was noted that the "dictatorship of the proletariat" fully fulfilled the tasks that were set before it and the Soviet Union became a nation-wide state. In addition, the document established a system of government bodies , already established at that time. The supreme authority was the Supreme Council. It consisted of two chambers: the Council of Nationalities and the Council of the Union. His term of office was increased to five years.

About that, in what year was the adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism", about the prerequisites that contributed to its appearance, and about the changes in it, read in this article.

Soviet constitutionalism

The study of the history of the creation of the Basic Law of the USSR has great political, socio-economic, scientific and cultural significance. One of the central aspects of the formation of Russian statehood is the adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism". The year 1977 became an important step in the further development of the country.

In the history of the Soviet state there were only 4 constitutions: 1918, 1924, 1936 and 1977. They had different terms of action, which indicated some changes taking place in the life of society. In addition, they reflected the emergence of new or improvement of old concepts. Also, each updated basic law of the country summed up the results of the previous one, after which the state opened the next stage of its development.

main reason

The development of a new document and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" is associated with a significant change in the political regime in the USSR. Despite the fact that the social system was still strictly organized and managed by representatives of the only party in the country, the state began to be freed from the cult of autocracy, which was introduced at one time by JV Stalin.

Arbitrariness and lawlessness, as well as the unlimited fear that dominated the era of the totalitarian rule of one person - all this was publicly condemned by the most ruling Communist Party. When the steps taken in recognition of mistakes and excesses convinced society that it was impossible to return the former regime, the question arose that the development and subsequent adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" in the USSR is simply necessary.

Formation of a special commission

It was decided to begin the first stage of preparing a new version of the basic law. First of all, they created a special Constitutional Commission. Its formation was preceded by the report of the Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, NS Khrushchev, at a meeting of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on April 25, 1962. On the same day, a meeting was held at which the composition of the commission was approved. From this moment, the immediate development and further adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" (project leader - N. Khrushchev) began.

When Leonid Brezhnev took the post of first secretary, he automatically assumed the functions of chairman of the Constitutional Commission. I must say that its composition changed several times, but the principle of formation remained the same-it included the first persons of the state and party leadership, representatives of the union and autonomous republics, territories and regions, as well as delegates from workers and peasants, scientists, etc.

Project development

At the initial stage of the writing of the document, the question arose about what the Soviet society is at the moment and where it will move in the future. The position based on the "dictatorship of the proletariat" was irrelevant, because "class struggle" as such was no longer there.

In order to move away from the old ideology and build a fundamentally new society, it took time. Before the theory of "developed socialism" arose, almost 15 years passed. But as soon as its foundations were formed, the writing of the draft Constitution began to move much faster.

Prerequisites

Since the moment when the Constitution of 1936 was adopted, and four decades have passed before the new document was approved. During this time a number of significant changes took place in the USSR, which in one way or another affected all aspects of public life.

The former Constitution, adopted in 1936, proceeded from the fact that the creation of the basic principles of socialism was over. Now it was positioned that a mature and developed society had already been built in the USSR, resulting in a different community of people, called the Soviet people.

The state that arose on the basis of the "dictatorship of the proletariat" has now become a nation-wide state, and the economy has completely become socialist property. The Communist Party has significantly expanded its ranks, and its role in governing the state has become more responsible.

Socialism was placed on a par with other world systems, so the international influence and authority of the Soviet Union grew several times. All these assumptions indicated that the development and adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" were inevitable.

Disclosure

The draft of the new basic law was published in early June 1977 not only in the central, but also in the republican, regional and regional newspapers. He was actively discussed for four months - from June 5 to the end of September. According to official data, more than 140 million people took part in the discussion of the new project. And this is about four-fifths of the entire adult population of the Soviet Union. The nation-wide discussion on this issue provided an opportunity to contribute about 450 thousand proposals for amendments, which were aimed at clarifying, improving or supplementing the articles of the draft.

Main aspects of domestic and foreign policy

The main direction of development of the Soviet state and legal system was the improvement and strengthening of socialist democracy. This should be facilitated by the adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism". At whom such an idea could be implemented? Of course, under Stalin this was out of the question. Since the time of his sole government, the power in the country has radically changed.

Also in the new basic law, the social basis of the Soviet state was consolidated-a strong alliance of workers and peasants with the intelligentsia. He meant achieving a certain social homogeneity of society, as well as equal opportunities for the comprehensive development of each person.

As for foreign policy, the Constitution clearly formulated the main provisions aimed at establishing peace, international cooperation and ensuring the security of all peoples without exception. The progressive principles of good-neighborly relations between the Soviet Union and other countries were also proclaimed. An integral part of the world socialist system was the commonwealth of states with the same policy as the USSR.

Economy

Adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" was to contribute to a significant rise in both the cultural and material level of life of Soviet people. For this purpose, a special scientifically sound and long-term economic strategy was developed. The main role in it was played by the Soviet state. It was to ensure the organization of production, favorable conditions for the creation of a modern material and technical base and develop regulations that would regulate economic relations.

The developers of the new fundamental law proceeded from the assumption that the adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" would be strengthened even more firmly by the historically established powerful, unified and successfully operating mechanism of the national economy. This document for the first time in history recorded at the legislative level a special economic system of the USSR.

Forms of ownership

Adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism", the date of its approval was only a matter of time, the basis of the economic system put the socialist ownership of all means of production, divided into two forms. One of them was state-owned, and the other was collective-farm cooperative. True, there was another type of socialist property - it is the property of trade union and other public organizations. But only the first two forms determined the character of the national economy and the division of society into representatives of the friendly classes-the workers and peasants. At the same time, the main task of the state, enshrined in the new Constitution, was the protection of socialist property.

The Soviet economic system also provided for the right to personal property. Its source was socially useful work. The Constitution of 1977 laid down the main provisions of the legal status of all forms of ownership, without exception, indicating their subjects.

Rights and obligations

The new basic law guaranteed the social justice of the citizens of the USSR. The Constitution enshrined the right to work, rest, education, material compensation in the event of loss of breadwinner or disability. It was said in the document about freedom of speech and press, demonstrations and street processions, rallies and meetings, etc.

It was the duty of Soviet people to observe the laws of the USSR, to be worthy of the title of citizen of the USSR, and to work conscientiously and be disciplined at work, to protect the interests of the state and in every way contribute to strengthening its authority and power,

Separately, it was said about the sacred duty of every Soviet person - the defense of the socialist homeland. Treason to the Motherland is a grave crime to its people. The honorable duty of the Soviet citizen was military service in the Armed Forces of the country.

Adoption of the Constitution

At an extraordinary session of the Supreme Council on October 4, the Editorial Commission was created, whose duties included the preparation of the final draft of the Basic Law. The adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism" was also discussed at the meeting. Brezhnev made a report on the results of the development of the project and its popular approval. In this regard, 92 MPs spoke. As a result, they decided to make changes on eight items, and also to add a new article.

Three days later, a deputy vote was held, and then the adoption of the Constitution of "developed socialism". Date October 7, 1977 was declared a national holiday.