The Structure of Communist Party (Bolshevik)
FOREIGN LANGUAGES PUBLISHING HOUSE
M o s c o w 1951
l. THE BOLSHEVIK PARTY IS A SINGLE, MILITANT, WORKING-CLASS ORGANIZATION
The Importance of a Militant Party Organization
The Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks) is carrying out its tasks success fully not only because it has a clear aim and is conducting a correct policy, but also because its ranks are properly formed and its internal life properly organized. A party may have a good program and a correct political line, but if this program and line are not reinforced by a definite system of organization, the party may not achieve its aims.
The Bolshevik Party is not a casual conglomeration of individuals, but a compact organization that operates according to a single plan and under a single leadership. This is what enabled it to lead the struggle of the working people to overthrow capitalism and to build Socialism. And this is what enables it successfully to fulfill its role as the leading, directing force of Soviet, socialist society.
The Bolsheviks have always attached great importance to organization and resolutely combat ed the attempts of the Mensheviks, Trotskyites , Bukharinites and other traitors to weaken this organization, to shake Party discipline, to disrupt Party unit y, to transform the Party into an amorphous, diffuse conglomeration of diverse groups, factious, and so forth. In this the Bolsheviks were guided by the realization that any weakening of the Party is to the advantage of the enemies o f the working class.
Lenin and Stalin elaborated the doctrine of the revolutionary proletarian party, and upheld this doctrine in the struggle against its enemies. This doctrine invariably serves as our Party's guide in all its practical activities. The Party is the organized vanguard of the working class, the highest form of proletarian class organization. It must always be a single, strongly-welded, disciplined organization, closely connected with the broad masses, and operating according to a single plan and under a single leadership.
Comrade Stalin points out that the Party is not only the sum of local Party organizations. "The Party at the same time represents a single system of these organizations, their formal amalgamation into a single whole, with higher and lower leading bodies, with subordination of the minority to the majority, with practical decisions binding on all members of the Party. Without these conditions the Party cannot be a single organized who'.e capable of exercising systematic and organized leadership in the struggle of the working class." J. Stalin, The Foundations of Leninism, Moscow 1950, p. 145.
Lenin and Stalin teach that the entire Party must act like one man, as one whole, in which the minority must submit to the majority, and the lower bodies must be subordinate to the higher. The decisions of Party congresses and the decisions of the Central Committee and local leading Party bodies must be the law for the Party organizations, and for every individual member. After a given task has been thought out, discussed and a decision taken on it, it is the duty of every Party organization and of every Communist to carry out that . decision. If these conditions do not exist, the Party cannot be the single, organized vanguard of the working class and lead all the working people.
The Party Rules Are an Indefeasible Law of Party Life
The fundamental principles of the Lenin-Stalin doctrine of the Party find expression in ,the Party rules. What are the Party rules and how do they differ from the program? The. Party program defines and scientifically substantiates the Party's aims and objects and indicates the way these are to be achieved. The Party rules define the Party's practical activities, its structure and internal regulations. The Party rules follow from the program and are determined by it. The Party establishes such internal regulations as will best facilitate the achievement of its objects. In conformity with these objects, the Rules of the
C.P.S.U. (B.) define who is eligible for membership, the duties and rights of members, the structure of the Party, of its higher and local bodies, the mutual relations between them, the functions of the local Party organizations, and so forth.
Organizational forms and methods of work cannot, however, be fixed once and for all time. The situation in which the Party lives and conducts its struggle changes, the Party acquires new experience, and taking this into account, the Party reforms its ranks accordingly. Naturally, in the period of tsarism, when the Party was sub jected to severe persecution, its methods of work were different from what they are now, when it is at the head of the Soviet state and is the governing Party. For example, at that time the Party was unable to form its leading bodies by the method of election as it does at the present time.
The Party rules take into account the circumstances under which the Party is living and fighting. When circumstances require, the Party introduces the necessary amendments in its rules. The Party has adopted different forms of accepting new members, different organizational structures and different forms of work for the local Party organizations, in conformity with changing circumstances. But however much the Party rules may have been changed, the fundamental principles on which they are based have remained unchanged.
These fundamental principles underlying the organizational structure of our Part y are: the strictest centralism in the activities of the Party organizations, internal conscious discipline, unity of will and unity of action, prohibition of factions and groups, great discrimination in accepting new members, safeguarding the Party from opportunist petty-bourgeois elements, constant care to increase the activity of Party members, and development of inner-Party democracy and criticism and self- criticism'.
The rules are the unshakable foundation ·of Party life and Party development. That is why the Party insists upon strict obedience to all points of the rules. The enemies of the Party- the Trotskyites, Bukharinites and other hangers-on of the bourgeoisie, camouflaging themselves as Party members, tried to disrupt Party discipline and Party unity. The Party routed these enemies and strengthened the unity of its ranks.
The Party rules that were adopted in 1922 at the Twelfth Party Conference and endorsed by the Central Committee of the R.C.P. (B.) , established different categories for the acceptance of new members (workers, peasants, office employees) and laid down different probation periods for each category. The victory of Socialism in the U.S .S R. brought about a change in the class structure of Soviet society; the capitalist elements have been eliminated, and the working class, the peasantry and the intelligentsia have undergone a fundamental change. The borderline between the working class and the peasantry, and between these classes and the intelligentsia, is being obliterated. The firm moral and political unity of Soviet society has been established. These profound changes in the life of the U.S.S .R. made i t necessary to abolish the rule laying down different conditions of membership in conformity with the social status of applicants.
The Rules of the C.P.S.U.(B) that were adopted at the Eighteenth Party Congress laid down the same conditions of membership, and the same probation period, for all applicants irrespective of whether they belong to the working class, the peasantry or to the intelligentsia. The Eighteenth Party Congress introduced a number of other changes in the rules called forth by the growth oi activity of the Party membership and by the necessity of s till further expanding inner-Party democracy.
The Rules of the C.P.S.U. (B.) first of all distinctly define the nature of our Party. They state that the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks) "is the organized vanguard of the working class of the U.S.S.R., its highest form of class organization. The Party is guided in its work by the theory of Marxism- Leninism.
"The Party exercises leadership of the working class, the peasantry and the intelligentsia-the entire Soviet people-in the struggle to strengthen the dictatorship of the working class, to strength en and develop the socialist system, and to achieve the victory of Communism.
"The Party is the leading core of all the organizations of the working people, public and state, and ensures the successful building of communist society."
2. PARTY MEMBERS, THEIR DUTIES AND RIGHTS
Who Are Eligible for Party Membership?
The Party's fighting efficiency is determined first of all by the composition of its membership and the activity of its members. Upon this depends the degree to which the Party fulfils its role as the organized vanguard of the working class. Hence, the significance of being a Party member and conditions of membership, have always been stressed in our Party.
As far back as 1903, at the Second Party Congress, when the first Party rules were adopted, V. I. Lenin said that the title "member of the Party" must be constantly exalted. Today, too, the Party is guided by these words of Lenin's.
The Party cannot accept in its ranks all those who would wish to join it. It accepts only the most politically enlightened and active members of the working class and of other strata of the working people. Comrade Stalin has said that our Party is a fortress, the gates of which are opened only for the worthy, only for the tried and tested.
The first paragraph of the Rules of the C.P.S.U. (B.) defines who is eligible for Party membership. H reads as follows: "A Party member is one who accepts the program of the Party, who works in one of .its organizations, submits to the decisions of the arty and pays membership dues."
Hence, the first condition of Party membership is acceptance of the Party's program. The strength of the C.P.S.U.(B.) ties in the unity of its views, in that all its members are united by the .same great aims, the same tasks, which are formulated in the program. It goes without saying, however, that acceptance of the Party program is not by itself sufficient to make one eligible as a Party member. Chatterboxes may be found who are ready enough to accept the Party program, but are incapable of doing anything to carry it out in practice. There is no room for such people in the Party.
The Bolshevik Party is a party-of revolutionary struggle, of revolutionary action. lt not only proclaims great aims, but fights resolutely to achieve them. From every Communist it demands action, demands that he should devote all his knowledge, experience and strength to the struggle for the happiness of the people, for Communism.
By accepting the Party' s program , the Communist pledges himself to do all in his power to have it carried out. Obivously, it is the Communist's duty to know the Part y's program, to know what the Party is fighting for, by what road the Party is proceeding towards its goal. It is the Communist's duty to fig ht those who are hindering the execution of the Party' s program , who distort or violate Party decisions.
The members of the Party can successfull y carry out the Party's program only when they are united in a s ingle, compact organization . That is why the Party rules lay it down that a necessary condition of Party membership is that every member must conduct work in one of the Party organizations and submit to all the Part y's decisions.
The Communists do not act individually, not each one by himse lf, but in a Parly organization, which directs and supervises the activities of its members. All the Com munists in factories, kolkhozes, offices, educational e!:'tab lishments and in mili tar y units are combined in Party organizations. The general m etings and the Party Bu reaus of these organizations discuss all questi,,ns con cerning the activities of the Communists, and pass de cisions and set tasks in conformity with inotructions received from the higher Party bodies. It is through the Party organizations, through the memb ers of the Party who lead the non-Party people, that the Party carries out its program. The Party demands from all Communists that they should work like a single, united body, bound by Party discipline. •
An essential condition of Party membership is i.he regular payment of Party dues. This duty of the Communist is of great importance. The regular payment of dues is an indication of the Communist's discipline and of his connection with the Party organization If a Communist does not pay his dues regularly, it s hows that his thoughts are not wit h the Party, and that he is lax in the performance of his Party duties. Furthermore, membership dues are i.he source of the Party's funds. A Communist who fails to pay dues for three months is deemed to have lapsed from membership.
The Mode of Accepting New Members
The Rules of the C.P.S.U.(B.) state that membership of the Party is open to politically enlightened and active workers, peasants and intellectuals who are devoted to the cause of Communism. Members are accepted only individually.
What does accepting members individually mean ? It means carefully examining the personal merits of each applicant for membership. The organization to which he applies must know how he behaves at his work, whether he takes an active part in social life, whether he is worthy of the lofty title of Communist. All the members present at the meeting at which the individual's application is discussed must be conscious of the great responsibility that rests upon them in accepting a new member in the Party. Only if these rules are adhered to can the penetration of undesirable elements into the Party be prevented .
Applicants for membership of the C.P.S.U. (B.) are first accepted as candidates, or probationers ; they are accepted as full members after a year's probation . During this period of probation, the Party organization can, and must, test the new member and also make him familiar with the Party's program and rules.
Probationers must fulfill all the duties the Party rules impose upon full members of the Party. They attend Party meetings with rig ht to voice but not lo vote. This mean s that they may participate in the discussion of all questions, but have no right to vote when a decision is taken ; they have no right to vote in the election of each bodies or to be elected to such.
The rights of probationers are restricted because the Party wishes to test them and make sure that they are worthy of becoming members of the C.P.S.U. (B.) , and it depends upon the probationers themselves as to whether they pass the test or not.
Every applicant for membership in the C.P.S. U. (B .) must present to the Party organization recommendations (guarantees) from three Party members.
To recommend a new member is a serious matter. Only members of a definite Party standing, and who know the applicant well, may recommend new members . According to the Rules of the C.P.S .U. (B.). only members of not less than three years standing have the right to recommend new members, and they must know the applicants they recommend from having worked with them for not less than a year.
The Party holds members responsible for the recommendations they give. The Party organization verifies the correctness of the recommendations given, ascertains where, when and for how long the one giving the recommendation has worked with the applicant, and whether he really does know thoroughly the person for whom he is standing guarantee.
Applications for membership are discussed and decided by the general meeting of the local Party organization in which the application is made, and are finally accepted after endorsement by the District Party Committee; in towns that are not divided into districts , endorsement is given by the Town Party Committee
At the Eighteenth Congress of the C.P.S.U. (B.) , Comrade Stalin set the Party the task : " To systemaically improve the composition of the Party, raising the ideological level of its membership, and admitting into its ranks, by process of individual selection, only tried and tested comrades who are loyal to the cause of Communism."* J. Stal in. Repor t to the Eight eenth Congress of the C.P.S .U.( B.) the Work of the Central Committee, pp. 98-99.
The Communist's Duties
It is a great honour to be a member oi the Bolshevik Party. Comrade Stalin has said : " ... we Communists are people of a special mould. We are made of a special stuff. We are those who form the army of the great proletarian strategist, the army of Comrade Lenin. There is nothing higher than the honour of belonging to this army. There is nothing higher than the title of member of the Party whose founder and leader was Comrade Lenin."* • J. Stalin, On Lenin, Moscow 1950, p. 25.
Honourably to bear the lofty title of member of the Party of Lenin and Stalin means, primarily, conscientiously carrying out the duties imposed upon every Communist by the Rules of the C.P.S.U.(B.).
The Rules of the C.P.S.U. (B.) impose upon every Communist the duty of taking an active part in the political life of the Party and the country, and of putting into practice the Party's policy and the decisions of the Party bodies. But in order to be an advanced, active builder of communist society, to put the Party's policy into practice and explain it to the working people, the Party member must clearly understand the Party's aims and the means by which it achieves them. In its policy, the Party is guided by the Marxist-Leninist theory. To be a worthy member of the Party, to understand its policy better, the Party member must constantly study hard to improve his knowledge and understanding of the principles of Marxism-Leninism.
The political intelligence and activity of the working people in the U.S.S.R. are increasing day after day . The Communist can be a leader, be in front of the non- Party mass es, only if he constantly enhances his knowledge and enriches his mind, if he constantly studies revolutionary theory. A Party member who neglects his political studies drops behind.
Under tsarism, the study of Marxist-Leninist theory was beset by enormous difficulties. The tsarist government prohibited the publication of revolutionary literature and persecuted those who read it. Many revolutionaries relate how they wrote out by hand whole books by Marx and Lenin in order to be able to study them. At the present time the widest opportunities exist for studying Marxist Leninist theory. In our country, the works of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin and other political books and pamphlets are published in millions of copies; there are numerous schools and circles [or the study of this theory, and public lectures are delivered on the subject. Mil l ions of Communists, members of the Young Communist League and non-Party people take advantage of these opportunities.
To study Marxist-Leninist theory is the constant duty of every Communist. The Party cannot be indifferent to the matter as to whether a Communist studies or does not do so. The Party rules impose upon all Communists the duty of constantly improving their knowledge and understanding of the principles of Marxism-Leninism.
The Party rules demand the strictest Party discipline from every Communist.
Party discipline means that every Communist strictly adheres to the order established in the Party, str ic tly keeps to the Party's program and rules and the decisions of the Party bodies. Discipline is the basis of the Party's existence as a single, compact organization that is striving towards a single goal. Our Party is leading the struggle of the industrial workers, and of all working people, successfully, because it is opera tin g according to a single plan and is weld ed together by a single will. The achievement of its fundamental aims by the Party depends upon the discipline of every Comm uni st. Without iron discipline, the Party could not have achieved its great victories.
The internal enemies of the Soviet Republic were routed and liquidated, and the invasion of our country by external enemies was repulsed, primarily because the Bolshevik Party, which led _the struggle of the workers and peasants, was most strictly disciplined; because, in response to the call of the Central Committee of the Party, hundreds, thousands and millions of Soviet people went to the most important sectors of the struggle. The extremely difficult tasks of socialist development were carried out successfully in our country primarily because of the solidarity and discipline of the Bolshevik P arty. On instructions from the Party, the Communists rose to a man to wage a resolute struggle to overcome the difficulties. There were no fortresses that the Bolsheviks could not capture by their solidarity and discipline, by their unity.
Lenin and Stalin teach that the discipline of the revolutionary· proletarian party is tested and strengthened primarily by the Party members' sense of duty , by their devotion to the cause of Communism, by their fortitude, self-sacrifice and heroism. Comrade Stalin, in his article, "The Proletarian Class and the Proletarian Party," wrote that only those can be regarded as members of the Party who ". . . deem it their duty to merge their wishes with the wishes of the Party and to act in conjunction with the Party." * • J. Stalin, Collected \\?orks, Russ. ed., Vol. I, p. 66.
The Communist adheres to the order established in the Party not formally, but because he himself is convinced that it is necessary to do so. This is the manifestation of his sense of duty, of his ardent desire constantly to strengthen the Bolshevik Party and the socialist state. The potency of Bolshevik Party discipline lies in the Communists' sense of duty .
The Party cannot tolerate violation of party discipline. Members and probationers must always bear in mind that they must not commit any act that is incompatible with the title of Communist, that they are answerable to their Party organization, which is responsible for the behaviour of every one of its members. Lenin said "... it must not be forgotten that every member of the Party is responsible for the Party, and that the Party is responsible for every one of its members."* V. I. Lenin, Collected Worf1s, Vol. 6, 4th Russ. ed., p. 458.
The Rules of the C.P.S. U.(B . ) state: "The Party is a single, militant organization, bound by conscious discipline, which is equally obligatory for all members of the Party . The Party's strength lies in its solidarity, unity of will, unity of action, which are incompatible with deviations from the program and rules, with violation of Party discipline, factional groupings and duplicity. The Party purges its ranks of those who violate the Party program, Party rules, and Party discipline."
The decisions of Party bodies must be carried out promptly and to the letter. For violations of Party discipline the Rules of the C.P.S.U. (B.) lay down definite penalties. caution, rebuke, reprimand and, lastly, expulsion, which is the supreme Party penalty.
The Communist is a member of the governing party. It is, therefore, his duty to fight not only for Party disci pline, but also for civic discipline. The Party guides the state. This imposes great obligations on every Party organization, and on every Communist. In the factories, the Communists are ,responsible for the fulfillment of production plans; in the kolkhozs they are responsible for increasing output and for the timely fulfillment of the plans for delivery to the state of grain and other agricultural produce.
The Rules of the C.P.S. U. (B.) impose on Communists the duty of setting an example in labour and civic discipline, of becoming highly skilled at their work, and of constantly improving their proficiency.
It is the duty of the Communists engaged in industry, agriculture, or in the trans port services, to increase the productivity of their own labour and to stimulate the other workers to do the same. It is the duty of thus who work in industry to be in the front ranks of the Stakhanovites, and those who work in kolkhozes, sovkhrizes and machine and tractor stations to be skilled producers of high crop yields. They must safeguard public, socialist property. They must by their own example stimulate their fellow workers to self-sacrificing labour . They must exert all efforts to strengthen the defence power of the socialist state.
The Communists are always in the front ranks of the working people and therefore exercise enormous , influence among the non-Party people. The broad masses of the Soviet people regard our Party as their own; it is near and dear to them; they realize that it is in their vital interest to strengthen it; they accept its leadership and voluntarily place their fate in its hands. The Communist Party enjoy s the love and confidence of the entire Soviet people. The Party highly appreciates and prizes this confidence. .
The Rules of the C.P S. U. ( B.) make it incumbent upon all Communists constantly to strengthen their ties with the masses, promptly to res pond to the requirements and needs of the working people, and to explain the Party's policy and decisions to the non- Party people. To strengthen their lies with the non- Party people and to work constantly among the masses is a most important duty of all Party organizations and of all Communists.
Comrade Stalin says:
"We Bolsheviks would never have achieved the successes we have now achieved had we not been able to win for the Party the confidence of millions of non Party workers and peas ants. And what is needed for this ? What is needed is for the members of the Party not to isolate themselves from the non-Party people; for the Party members not to withdraw into their Party shell not to get puffed up about belonging to the Party, but to heed the voice of the non-Party people; not only to teach the non-Party people , but also to learn from them."* * J . Stalin Speech Delivered at the First All-Union Congress of Collective-Farm Shock Workers, Moscow 19 50, pp. 27-28.
The Party demands that the Communists should not domineer over the non-Party people, but explain the Party decisions to them. The Communists must be attentive and responsive to the needs of the working people. Conceit and boastfulness are unbecoming for a Communist. Modesty is the hallmark of the Bolshevik.
The Central Committee of the Party, and Comrade Stalin himself , urge the Party cadres to pay heed to the opinion of the broad masses and to take their experience into account. All the members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U.(B.) , headed by Comrade Stalin, were present at the All-Union Conference of Stakhanovites, and they not only spoke at the conference, but also listened closely to all the other speakers At the conclusion of the conference, Comrade Stalin said: ". . . we leaders of the Party and the Gavernmen must not only teach the workers, but also learn from them. I shall not undertake to deny that you, the members of the present conference, have learned something here at this conference from the leaders of our Government. But neither can it be denied that we, the leaders of the Government, have learned a great deal from you, the Stakhanovites, the members of this conference. Well, comrades thanks for the lesson, many thanks!"**** J. S t al in, Speech at the First All-Union Con ference of Staklza novites, Moscow I950, pp. 34-35.
The Communists turn a sensitive ear to the moods of the masses, but they do not allow themselves to be influenced by the moods of backward elements. To pander to backward people, to those who whine and complain about difficulties is contrary to the very spirit of Bolshevism. Communists do not try to wriggle out of awkward questions, but give straightforward answers to them. They explain the Party's policy, show how the Party fights unrelaxingly to overcome difficulties, to increase the might of the socialtst state and to improve the welfare of the people. They organize the non-Party people for the purpose of carrying out the Party's policy.
Lenin and Stalin teach the Bolsheviks to overcome all difficulties and obstacles that stand in the path to the goal and not to yield to them, not to surrender positions. Comrade Stalin has said that difficulties exist in order to be overcome Most people have read Comrade Stalin's splendid characterization of courageous fighters and his withering criticism of whining panic mongers in the picture he drew of the behaviour of fishermen faced by an oncoming storm.
Comrade Stalin said: "Have you ever seen fishermen when a storm is brewing on a great river-say the Yeni sei? I have seen them many a time. In the face of a storm one group of fishermen will muster all their forces, encourage their fellows and boldly head the boat to meet the storm: 'Cheer up, lads, hold tight to the tiller, cut the waves, we'll pull her through!' But there is another type of fishermen -those who, on sensing a storm, lose heart, begin to snivel and demoralize their own ranks: 'What a misfortune, a storm is brewing: lie down, boys , in the bottom of the boat, shut your eyes, let's hope she'll make the shore somehow.' "* • J. Stalin, Problems of Leninis m. Moscow 1947, p. 243.
In obedience to the behests of Lenin and Stalin, Communists allow no difficulties to daunt them; they go out boldly to surmount them. They put all their strength into their work , they never rest content with what has been achieved, they always push forward and -:ally the entire people with them.
The Communists personify the best qua li ties of the Soviet people; they set an example in devotion to the people's cause, in efficiency, in self-sacrifice at work, in understanding, and in organization.
The Party Member's Rights
Members of the Party en joy extensive rights , which enable them to take an active part in Party life. The Eighteenth Congress of the C.P.S. U.(B.) supplemented the Party rules with a point concerning the rights of Party members.
According to the Rules of the C.P.S.U.(B.), every member of the Party has the right:
a) to take part in the free and businesslike discussion at Party meetings, or in the Party press, of practical questions concerning Pa rt y policy;
b) to criticize at Party meetings any Party official;
c) to take part in the elect ion of, and to be elected to, Party bodies;
d} to demand that he himself take part in the discussion of every decision concerning his own activities or behaviour;
e) to submit any question or statement he desires to any Party body, up to and including the Central Com mittee of the C.P.S.U. (B.) .
Party organizations can not exist and develop unless the rank- and- file members take an active part in their work. The free and businesslike discussion of practical questions concerning Party policy by all the members of our Party, which has a membership numbering millions, is a demonstration - of its strength. Lenin and Stalin urged the necessity of learning from the rank and file, of paying heed to their opinion. Comrade Stalin said: "To be able to lead properly, the experience of the leaders must be supplemented by the experience of the rank and file of the Party, the experience of the working class, the experience of the working people, the experience of the so called 'little people.' "* * J. Stalin, Concerning Defects in Party , and Measures for Liquida/inf! Trotskyite and Other and Reply to Debate at the Plenum of the Central Committee of the C. P.S. U.( B.), March 3-5, 1937.
Lenin said that the Bolshevik Party is a militant, fighting party. The Bolsheviks, members of the Party of Lenin and Stalin, are militant, bold and persevering. They cannot with indifference overlook mistakes; they have no right to close their eyes to defects. For the Bolsheviks, the interests of the people come first and foremost.
Comrade Stalin teaches that if we want to train and steel cadres, we must not be afraid of offending people, we must not be afraid of hon est, bold and frank criticism. If there is no criticism, defects may be driven below the surface, and then it is more difficult to combat them. Bold and frank criticism alone helps our people to develop, to perfect themselves ; it stimulates them to go forward and to eliminate defects in their work. Where there is no criticism there is stagnation, no progress is made.
The Party rules protect the rights of Party members. Their aim is to give every Comm unis t the opportunity to take an active part in the discussion of practical questions concerning Party policy, to make it uncomfortable for anybody who persecutes a Communist for expresing criticism, to prevent Party bodies from discussing a Communist' s conduct in his absence, and to prevent anybody from encroaching on the rights of the Communists.
All these rules are of enormous importance for in creasing the activity of the rank- and-til e members and for enhancing the responsibility of every Communist for the Party's work. They are powerful weapons for combating conceit and opinionativeness among individual Communists, for strengthening the ties between the leaders and the rank and file, and for improving the entire work of the Party and the state.
3- STRUCTURE OF THE PARTY
The Guiding Principle in the Party's Structure
.jpg)
