Perfecting the Political System of Socialism

Abstract

As perestroika develops it is becoming increasingly clear that its success, as well as the success of its most essential component, comprehensive economic reform, depends totally on the state of the political system and the political life of society. The progress of perestroika itself, the changes in the order of priorities from technical and economic problems to political ones and the growing concern about social problems, reveals that it is impossible to solve any of these problems without radical change in the political sphere. The problems and difficulties that have been encountered under perestroika have made us aware of the essence and importance of democratisation, which alone is the means by which the full potential of genuine socialism can be realised and the human factor in its development utilised.

An earlier version of this chapter appeared in the book Inogo ne dano edited by Yuri Afanasyev published by Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1988. It has been adapted and abridged by Stephen White.