Brezhnev Constitution of the USSR. Adoption of the Constitution of the USSR Adoption of the new Constitution of the USSR
Adoption of the first Constitution of the USSR - 1924
Adoption of the second (“Stalinist”) Constitution of the USSR - 1936
Adoption of the third (“Brezhnev”) Constitution of the USSR - 1977
Constitution of the USSR 1924
It was approved by the 2nd Congress of Soviets of the USSR and became the basic law in the USSR. The decision of the congress to develop an all-Union document formed the basis for the creation of the Constitution of the USSR.
The Constitution of the USSR included 2 sections:
- Declaration on the Formation of the USSR - included the principles of unification and directed towards one of the main goals at that time - the fight against world capitalism;
- The Treaty on the Formation of the USSR, consisting of 11 chapters.
Main features of the 1924 Constitution:
- The Congress of Soviets of the USSR was considered the main governing body, without whose knowledge making any changes to the document was impossible;
- the union republic had the right to secede from the USSR at any time, but change the territory only with its approval; a single union citizenship was established;
- The Central Executive Committee of the USSR was considered the supreme body of power in the intervals between congresses, and in the intervals between sessions of the Central Executive Committee, the main body of legislative power was the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR;
- The Central Executive Committee of the USSR established the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, which is the main executive and administrative body, which included the chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, his deputies and 10 people's commissars.
Thanks to the Constitution, the union republics during the formation of the USSR became part of the federal union.
Constitution of the USSR 1936
Also known as the “Stalinist” and “Constitution of Developed Socialism”. It was adopted by the 8th Extraordinary Congress of the USSR Council on December 5. Its task was to express an important stage in the history of the state - the building of socialism.
Historian O.V. Khlevnyuk said that this Constitution, compared to the Constitution of the USSR of 1924, is more democratic in nature, since he wants to achieve sympathy for the Soviet Union on the part of international society for a joint fight against growing fascism.
Bukharin also took an active part in creating the text of the Constitution. It was officially published on December 6th.
The 1936 Constitution consisted of 13 chapters and 146 articles. The social structure of the USSR was approved in 12 articles of the 1st chapter. Let's look at the contents of the Constitution:
- the basis of the economy is the planned socialist economic system and socialist ownership of tools and means of production;
- For the first time, all citizens of the Soviet state had equal rights:
- universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot;
- the right to work and rest, material security in old age and illness, the right to free education;
- freedom of speech, conscience, press, meetings and rallies, personal inviolability and secrecy of correspondence were declared;
- communications, transport, land, water and much more were declared national property; the land occupied by collective farms was given to them for eternal use;
- the Bolshevik Party was declared the main representative of all public and state organizations;
- The Supreme Soviet of the USSR was proclaimed the highest legislative body of power, and in the intervals between sessions these functions were performed by its Presidium;
- The Council of People's Commissars of the USSR (later the Council of Ministers) was considered the highest executive body.
On February 27, 1947, a new version of the Constitution with amendments was approved. In 1962, according to the decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, a commission was founded, headed by, which was engaged in the creation of a draft of a new Constitution of the USSR. At the end of 1964, this commission was headed by.
On October 7, 1977, the new (“Brezhnev”) Constitution of the USSR was adopted. December 5 was declared Constitution Day - an official public holiday.
Constitution of the USSR 1977
Effective from October 7, 1977 until (1991), becoming the last Constitution of the Soviet Union. At the time of adoption, it included 9 sections, 21 chapters and 174 articles. Let's look at the summary of the Constitution:
- the introductory part contained characteristics of Soviet society and preserved the principles of previous constitutions. Its text was significantly larger than the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation;
- political system - this section included the general principles of the socialist system and the basis of a developed socialist society;
- economic system - its basis was state and collective farm-cooperative socialist ownership of production means, the principle of planned economy was in effect;
- authorities - the term of government for the Supreme and Local Councils has been increased; from the previously adopted Constitution of the USSR, citizens retained the right to referendum;
- government structure - without significant changes. The republics of the Union retained the right to the opportunity to secede from the USSR at any time, which they took advantage of during the collapse of the USSR.
During the period of validity of this Constitution of the USSR, various changes were made to it, the most significant of which was the abolition of Article 6. The one-party system was abolished, the CPSU was removed from leadership positions, and the post of President of the USSR was introduced.
The Constitution of the USSR is the fundamental law of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which has the highest legal force, which legislated the social and state structure, principles of organization, activity, as well as the competence of the bodies of the socialist state, the electoral system, the fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizens. The first Constitution of the USSR was adopted on January 31, 1924.
The fundamental principles of the Soviet Constitution were defined and formulated by Vladimir Lenin back in 1918, under whose leadership the development of the first Constitution of the RSFSR took place.
In December 1922, the First Congress of Soviets of the USSR formalized the voluntary unification of four sovereign Soviet republics into one union multinational socialist state, approving the Declaration and Treaty on the formation of the state - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The treaty was signed by four republics: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the Transcaucasian SFSR, which included Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Each of them already had its own constitution, the congress decided to develop an all-Union one.
Six commissions were formed to prepare the future Constitution. The draft text was sent by the Central Election Commission to the republics for consideration and approval. After active work and lively debate, the draft Constitution was approved in the summer of 1923.
The final version of the Constitution was unanimously approved by the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets on January 31, 1924. It became the first Constitution of the USSR and went down in history as the Constitution of the USSR of 1924 - the first fundamental law of the USSR. It consisted of two sections: the Declaration and the Treaty on the Formation of the USSR. The Declaration on the Formation of the USSR formulated the principles of unification of the republics and the special nature of the national policy of the Soviet state.
The Treaty on the Formation of the USSR included 11 chapters. The main meaning of the first Union Constitution of the USSR, in contrast to the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1918, is the consolidation and final legal registration of the formation of the USSR and the division of the rights of the USSR and the Union republics.
She also gave an exhaustive list of the Union’s subjects, which included: foreign relations and trade, resolving issues of war and peace, organization and leadership of the armed forces, general management and planning of the economy and budget, development of the fundamentals of legislation.
Also, a unique feature of the 1924 Constitution was the legislative recognition as the purpose of the existence of the USSR the voluntary unification of the republics, their equality, sovereignty, the right to join and leave the Union. Although the construction of government and management bodies was carried out taking into account the multinational nature of the USSR, the main functions of the highest authorities were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Center - to Moscow. The next Constitution of the USSR was created under Stalin in 1936.
CONSTITUTION OF VICTORIOUS SOCIALISM
By the mid-30s. Significant changes took place in all spheres of life in the USSR. The social composition of the population changed, the private sector was destroyed in industry and agriculture, qualitative changes took place in the system of government institutions and in the sphere of nation-state building. The construction of the foundations of socialism in the USSR was officially proclaimed.
At the beginning of 1935, the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks decided to amend the Constitution of the USSR, which should reflect the changes that had occurred in the country. On February 7, 1935, a Constitutional Commission of 31 people was created, headed by. In the process of work, the commission came to the conclusion that a new Constitution was necessary. According to Stalin, it was supposed to become “the registration and legislative consolidation of these gains that have already been achieved and secured.” By the summer of 1936, a draft Constitution was prepared and published for public discussion, and on December 5, 1936, the VIII Extraordinary Congress of Soviets adopted a new Constitution. The Soviets of Working People's Deputies (formerly workers and peasants) were proclaimed to be the political basis of the USSR; the economic basis was the socialist economy and socialist ownership of the means of production. According to the Constitution of the USSR, the Soviet state was a federation of 11 socialist republics (RSFSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). The rights of the union government were significantly expanded.
The system of government institutions has undergone significant changes. According to the Constitution, regional and republican congresses of Soviets were abolished, and their place was taken by district, city, regional, republican Soviets - up to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Supreme Council consisted, like the abolished Central Executive Committee of the Soviets, of two chambers - the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities. In the period between sessions of the USSR Supreme Council, its functions were assigned to the Presidium of the Supreme Council, which could even dissolve the USSR Supreme Council. After the elections of new government bodies held in 1937, M. I. Kalinin (1938-1946) was elected Chairman of the Presidium. The Council of People's Commissars was deprived of legislative rights, now being a purely executive body of power. In the Constitution of 1936, an article appeared for the first time, establishing the special position of the Communist Party in the system of government institutions of the USSR. According to Article 126 of the Constitution, the most active citizens from among the working class and other layers of workers united in the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), the leading core of all workers' organizations, both public and state. Subsequently, the Party Charter, adopted by the XVIII Congress of the CPSU(b) in 1939, granted the right of control over the activities of administrations to the party committees of enterprises, MTS, collective farms and state institutions.
Changes also affected the electoral law, where the rejection of multi-stage elections was proclaimed and universal, direct, equal suffrage by secret ballot was established. The list of rights and freedoms of citizens was significantly expanded, where personal integrity, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, press, meetings and rallies, privacy of correspondence, limited right of personal property, etc. were legislatively enshrined. Of particular importance was the consolidation of socio-economic rights: to work, rest , education, financial support in old age or in case of disability due to illness or accident. At the same time, constitutional rights conflicted with the realities of Stalinist socialism and did not apply to the entire Soviet people, for example, to collective farmers. Article 127 of the USSR Constitution on personal inviolability, which states that “no one can be arrested except by a court order or with the sanction of a prosecutor,” was everywhere violated. Without the sanction of the prosecutor, Marshal Tukhachevsky was arrested, and the arrest sanction for candidate member of the Politburo and People's Commissar of Agriculture Eikhe was “registered” a few months after his arrest. Article 128, which stated that “the inviolability of citizens’ homes and the secrecy of correspondence are protected by law,” was also not observed. The Constitution was only a gratifying facade of the Stalinist regime. This was also evidenced by the fate of the members of the constitutional commission: out of 31 people, 17 were repressed (including A. S. Bubnov, N. I. Bukharin, N. V. Krylenko, K. B. Radek), one committed suicide and another two were soon forced to withdraw from participation in the public life of the country.
I.S. Ratkovsky, M.V. Khodyakov. History of Soviet Russia
"RESULT OF THE STRUGGLE"
Judging by the results of the nationwide discussion, which lasted almost 5 months, it can be assumed that the draft Constitution will be approved by this Congress.
In a few days, the Soviet Union will have a new, socialist Constitution, built on the principles of expanded socialist democracy.
This will be a historical document that interprets simply and concisely, almost in a protocol style, the facts of the victory of socialism in the USSR, the facts of the liberation of the working people of the USSR from capitalist slavery, the facts of the victory in the USSR of fully developed, consistent democracy.
This will be a document indicating that what millions of honest people in capitalist countries have dreamed and continue to dream about has already been accomplished in the USSR.
This will be a document indicating that what has been accomplished in the USSR can well be accomplished in other countries.
But it does not follow from this that the international significance of the new Constitution of the USSR can hardly be overestimated.
Now, when the muddy wave of fascism is spitting on the socialist movement of the working class and mixing with mud the democratic aspirations of the best people of the civilized world, the new Constitution of the USSR will be an indictment against fascism, saying that socialism and democracy are invincible. The new Constitution of the USSR will be moral help and real help for all those who are currently fighting against fascist barbarism.
The new Constitution of the USSR is of even greater significance for the peoples of the USSR. If for the peoples of capitalist countries the Constitution of the USSR will mean a program of action, then for the peoples of the USSR it will mean the result of their struggle, the result of their victories on the front for the liberation of mankind. As a result of the traversed path of struggle and hardship, it is pleasant and joyful to have our own Constitution, which interprets the fruits of our victories. It is pleasant and joyful to know what our people fought for and how they achieved a world-historical victory. It is pleasant and joyful to know that the blood shed abundantly by our people was not in vain, that it yielded results. This spiritually equips our working class, our peasantry, our working intelligentsia. This moves forward and raises a sense of legitimate pride. This strengthens self-confidence and mobilizes for a new struggle to win new victories for communism.
http://www.politology.vuzlib.org/book_o181_page_33.html
Question: They say that Bukharin was one of the main authors of the 1936 Constitution. Did he tell you anything about this?
Answer: A number of signs had previously indicated that Bukharin played a major role in the drafting of this constitution. He was secretary of the commission that was created by the Congress of Soviets in February 1935 to draft a new constitution. He fought for the abolition of all special rights enjoyed by the communists, and back in 1930-1931. advocated the introduction of universal and equal suffrage. During conversations about the plans of Gorky, Pavlov and others about a second party that would compete in the elections with its own independent list, Bukharin did not hide that this idea belonged to him, and somehow another time, during a conversation on this topic, he took the eternal pen out of his pocket and, showing it to me, said: “Look carefully: with this pen the entire new constitution was written - from the first to the last word. I did all this work alone - only Karlusha [Radek] helped me a little. Paris I
I was able to come only because this work was finished. All important decisions have already been made. Now the text is being printed. In this new constitution, the people are assigned a much larger role than in the previous one... Now it will be impossible not to take them into account." Bukharin did not hide the fact that he was proud of this constitution. It not only introduced universal and equal suffrage, it established the equality of citizens before law, abolished all privileges that existed for communists. Bukharin saw in the new constitution a well-thought-out basis for the peaceful transition of the country from a dictatorship of one party to a real democracy. Bukharin added that the question of competing lists in elections was also raised in the commission for drawing up the constitution.
Everything was calculated and provided for, but Bukharin underestimated his opponent. He did not foresee how treacherously cunning Stalin would apply all these good principles and turn the equality of all before the law into the equality of communists and non-communists before Stalin’s absolute dictatorship. Stalin not only dealt with the author of the constitution himself, but also generally exterminated all those who greeted Bukharin’s humanistic preaching with sympathy. “Yezhovshchina” at its core was nothing more than the destruction of all those who followed the slogans of Bukharin’s “proletarian humanism.”
From the memoirs of B.I. Nikolaevsky.
NEW CONSTITUTION OF THE RSFSR
The adoption of the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1937 was a consequence of the introduction into force of the Constitution of the USSR of 1936. The renewal of the entire constitutional system of the Union was explained by the country's entry into a new stage of its development, which, as it was believed, marked the construction of the foundations of socialism, the complete elimination of exploiting classes and elements, which led to a significant expansion of socialist democracy.
The constitutions of this stage of both the Union and the RSFSR, as well as other union republics, are distinguished by the following features.
1. They retained, like the previous ones, their class essence and embodied the dictatorship of the proletariat, which was directly mentioned, in particular, in Art. 2 of the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1937. However, the form of expression of this essence has changed. In connection with the liquidation of the exploiting classes, the deprivation of political rights of citizens on social grounds was abolished, and universal, equal direct suffrage by secret ballot was introduced. The Constitution for the first time enshrined the principle of equal rights of citizens, but in a very truncated form. In Art. 127 of the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1937 provided for the equality of citizens only “regardless of their nationality and race.”
2. The constitution for the first time introduced chapters on the fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizens, which included a wide range of these rights and responsibilities. In particular, the right to work was secured for the first time. However, the possibility of using political rights was guaranteed under the constitutions only “in accordance with the interests of the working people and in order to strengthen the socialist system.” Thus, these democratic constitutions were class and ideologically oriented.
3. The preservation of the class essence of all constitutions of the stage under consideration is evidenced by the consolidation of the leading role of the communist party, then called the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks). The rule on the party was introduced into the constitution for the first time. In Art. 126 of the USSR Constitution of 1936 and in the corresponding articles of the constitutions of the union republics it was established that “the most active and conscious citizens from the ranks of the working class and other layers of workers unite into the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), which is the vanguard of workers in their struggle for the strengthening and development of the socialist building and representing the leading core of all workers' organizations, both public and state."
This constitutional norm clearly expressed the growing tendency to transform the party, in fact, into a state structure.
4. The constitutions under consideration were approved for the first time, unlike the previous ones, as constitutions of built socialism. They already enshrined all the main economic foundations of socialism: the abolition of private property, the dominance of the socialist economic system and socialist ownership of the instruments and means of production, the establishment of a state national economic plan, which determined and directed the entire economic life of the state, etc.
5. The constitutions of this stage acquired a more perfect form in their legal form. They clearly identify the main state legal institutions and systematize constitutional norms on an objective basis. The following chapters appeared: “Social structure”, “Government structure”, “Basic rights and duties of citizens”.
6. The Constitution of the RSFSR of 1937, in more detail than in the previous ones, enshrines the principles of its entry into the USSR. A provision is included that, outside the rights of the USSR, the RSFSR exercises state power independently, fully retaining its sovereign rights.
For the first time, the Constitution of the RSFSR included a provision preserving its right to secede from the USSR.
A separate article (19) defined the jurisdiction of the RSFSR.
7. Much more fully than in previous constitutions, the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1937 reflects its own federal structure. Independent chapters appeared on the highest government bodies of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, on the government bodies of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, and on the government bodies of the autonomous regions. For the first time, the norm on national districts was established.
E.I. Kozlova, O.E. Kutafin. Constitutional law of Russia
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
"SARATOV STATE LEGAL ACADEMY"
INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
Department of Constitutional and International Law.
Academic discipline Constitutional Law.
Abstract on the topic:
"The Constitution of the USSR 1977"
Performed:
student of group 135
Institute of Justice
Dakirova Aim.
Saratov 2015
Constitution of the USSR 1977- the constitution of the USSR, in force from 1977 to 1991. Adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on October 7, 1977. This constitution established a one-party political system (Article 6). It went down in history as “the constitution of developed socialism.
Story
The development of a new constitution began back in 1962, when on April 25 of that year the Supreme Soviet of the USSR decided to develop a draft of a new Constitution of the USSR and created a Constitutional Commission consisting of 97 people. N. S. Khrushchev was appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Commission.
On June 15, 1962, at a meeting of the Constitutional Commission, the main tasks for preparing the draft of a new Constitution were discussed and 9 subcommittees were formed.
In August 1964, the Constitutional Commission completed the development of the draft Constitution of the USSR and an explanatory note to it. This project consisted of 276 articles. However, later it underwent serious revision and was not approved in its original form.
On December 19, 1966, according to the resolution of the Supreme Council, 33 new deputies were included in the Constitutional Commission to replace those who retired.
The working group for the preparation of the draft Constitution was headed by: since 1962 L. F. Ilyichev, since 1968 - A. N. Yakovlev, since 1973 - B. N. Ponomarev.
On October 4-6, 1977, a hearing of the Constitution took place at meetings of the chambers of the Supreme Council. On October 7, the final joint meeting of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR took place, where, first in sections, and then as a whole, the Constitution was adopted. On the same day, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, by separate vote in chambers, adopted the Declaration of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the adoption and proclamation of the Constitution (Basic Law) of the USSR, the Law of the USSR on declaring the day of adoption of the Constitution (Basic Law) of the USSR a national holiday, and the Law of the USSR on the procedure for enacting the Constitution (Basic Law) of the USSR.
Structure of the Constitution
Preamble
Section 1. Fundamentals of the social system and politics of the USSR:
Chapter 1. Political system
Chapter 2. Economic system
Chapter 3. Social development and culture
Chapter 4. Foreign Policy
Chapter 5. Defense of the socialist Fatherland
Section 2. State and personality
Chapter 6. Citizenship of the USSR. Equality of citizens
Chapter 7. Fundamental rights, freedoms and obligations of citizens of the USSR
Section 3. National-state structure of the USSR:
Chapter 8. USSR - union state
Chapter 9. Federal Soviet Socialist Republic
Chapter 10. Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
Chapter 11. Autonomous region and autonomous district
Section 4. Councils of People's Deputies and the procedure for their election:
Chapter 12. System and principles of activity of the Councils of People's Deputies
Chapter 13. Electoral system
Chapter 14. People's Deputy
Section 5. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the USSR:
Chapter 15. Supreme Soviet of the USSR
Chapter 16. Council of Ministers of the USSR
Section 6. Fundamentals of building bodies of state power and administration in the union republics:
Chapter 17. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the union republic
Chapter 18. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the autonomous republic
Chapter 19. Local bodies of state power and administration
Section 7. Justice, arbitration and prosecutorial supervision:
Chapter 20. Court and arbitration
Chapter 21. Prosecutor's Office
Section 8. Coat of arms, flag, anthem and capital of the USSR
Section 9. Effect of the Constitution of the USSR and the procedure for changing it
Preamble
The preamble to the Constitution assessed in general terms the historical path traversed by Soviet society in the 60 years after the October Revolution. A description of Soviet society was given as “a developed socialist society, as a natural stage on the path to communism.” The preamble also states that the Constitution preserves the principles of previous Constitutions.
The text of the preamble in the 1977 Constitution is approximately 20 times longer than in the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 1993. On March 15, 1990, the reference to the fact that in the process of development of society “the leading role of the Communist Party - the vanguard of the entire people”, which was associated with the legalization of the multi-party system and the country’s actual abandonment of the socialist path of development.
Political system
The first section of the Constitution established the general principles of the socialist system and the main features of a developed socialist society.
Article 1 stated that the USSR “is a socialist state of the entire people, expressing the will and interests of the workers, peasants, intelligentsia, and working people of all nations and nationalities of the country.”
Article 6 legislated the leading and directing role of the CPSU, which was the core of the political system of the USSR. An important role in the political system of trade unions, the Komsomol and other mass public organizations was legislatively established, which was a significant difference from previous Constitutions: in the Constitution of 1936, the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) was “the leading core of all organizations of workers, both public and state” (Art. 126), and was not mentioned at all in the 1924 Constitution.
The Constitution said nothing about the possibility of the existence of other parties; The Constitution recognized only the right of citizens “to unite in public organizations” (Article 51).
In 1990, significant amendments to the 1977 Constitution were adopted, in particular, a multi-party political system was introduced. At the same time, the new edition of Article 6 retained the reference to the CPSU, which makes it possible to characterize the established political system as a system with a dominant party
Economic system
In Chapter 2, Article 10 stated that the basis of the economic system of the USSR is socialist ownership of the means of production, which exists in two forms: state (national) and collective farm-cooperative ownership.
Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(adopted at the extraordinary seventh session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the ninth convocation on October 7, 1977)
The Great October Socialist Revolution, carried out by the workers and peasants of Russia under the leadership of the Communist Party led by V.I. Lenin, overthrew the power of capitalists and landowners, broke the shackles of oppression, established the dictatorship of the proletariat and created the Soviet state - a new type of state, the main weapon for defending revolutionary gains , building socialism and communism. The world-historical turn of humanity from capitalism to socialism began.
Having won the civil war and repelled imperialist intervention, the Soviet government carried out profound socio-economic transformations and put an end to the exploitation of man by man, class antagonism and national enmity. The unification of the Soviet republics into the USSR increased the strength and capabilities of the peoples of the country in building socialism. Public ownership of the means of production and true democracy for the working masses were established. For the first time in human history, a socialist society was created.
A striking manifestation of the power of socialism was the unfading feat of the Soviet people and their Armed Forces, which won a historic victory in the Great Patriotic War. This victory strengthened the authority and international position of the USSR and opened up new favorable opportunities for the growth of the forces of socialism, national liberation, democracy and peace throughout the world.
Continuing their creative activities, the working people of the Soviet Union ensured the rapid and comprehensive development of the country and the improvement of the socialist system. The alliance of the working class, the collective farm peasantry and the people's intelligentsia, and the friendship of the nations and nationalities of the USSR were strengthened. The socio-political and ideological unity of Soviet society has emerged, the leading force of which is the working class. Having fulfilled the tasks of the dictatorship of the proletariat, the Soviet state became national. The leading role of the Communist Party, the vanguard of the entire people, has increased.
A developed socialist society has been built in the USSR. At this stage, when socialism develops on its own basis, the creative forces of the new system and the advantages of the socialist way of life are revealed more and more fully, and the working people increasingly enjoy the fruits of the great revolutionary achievements.
This is a society in which powerful productive forces, advanced science and culture have been created, in which the well-being of the people is constantly growing, and increasingly favorable conditions are being created for the comprehensive development of the individual.
This is a society of mature socialist social relations, in which, on the basis of the rapprochement of all classes and social strata, the legal and actual equality of all nations and nationalities, their fraternal cooperation, a new historical community of people has emerged - the Soviet people.
This is a society of highly organized, ideological and conscious workers - patriots and internationalists.
This is a society whose law of life is the concern of everyone for the welfare of everyone and the concern of each for the welfare of all.
This is a society of true democracy, the political system of which ensures the effective management of all public affairs, the increasingly active participation of workers in public life, the combination of real rights and freedoms of citizens with their duties and responsibilities to society.
A developed socialist society is a natural stage on the path to communism.
The highest goal of the Soviet state is to build a classless communist society in which public communist self-government will develop. The main tasks of a socialist nation-wide state: creating the material and technical base of communism, improving socialist social relations and their transformation into communist ones, educating a person in a communist society, raising the material and cultural standard of living of workers, ensuring the security of the country, promoting peace and the development of international cooperation.
Soviet people,
guided by the ideas of scientific communism and remaining faithful to its revolutionary traditions,
based on the great socio-economic and political achievements of socialism,
striving for the further development of socialist democracy,
taking into account the international position of the USSR as an integral part of the world system of socialism and aware of its international responsibility,
preserving the continuity of ideas and principles of the first Soviet Constitution of 1918, the USSR Constitution of 1924 and the USSR Constitution of 1936,
consolidates the foundations of the social system and policy of the USSR, establishes the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, the principles of organization and goals of a socialist state of the entire people and proclaims them in this Constitution.
I. Fundamentals of the social system and politics of the USSR
Chapter 1. Political system
Article 1. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a socialist state of the entire people, expressing the will and interests of the workers, peasants and intelligentsia, the working people of all nations and nationalities of the country.
Article 2. All power in the USSR belongs to the people.
The people exercise state power through the Soviets of People's Deputies, which form the political basis of the USSR.
All other government bodies are controlled and accountable to the Councils of People's Deputies.
Article 3. The organization and activities of the Soviet state are built in accordance with the principle of democratic centralism: the election of all government bodies from top to bottom, accountability to their people, and the binding nature of decisions of higher bodies for lower ones. Democratic centralism combines unified leadership with initiative and creative activity on the ground, with the responsibility of each government body and official for the assigned work.
Article 4. The Soviet state, all its bodies operate on the basis of socialist legality, ensure the protection of law and order, the interests of society, the rights and freedoms of citizens.
State and public organizations and officials are obliged to comply with the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws.
Article 5. The most important issues of state life are submitted for public discussion, and are also put to a popular vote (referendum).
Article 6. The leading and directing force of Soviet society, the core of its political system, state and public organizations is the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The CPSU exists for the people and serves the people.
Armed with Marxist-Leninist teaching, the Communist Party determines the general prospects for the development of society, the line of domestic and foreign policy of the USSR, guides the great creative activity of the Soviet people, and imparts a systematic, scientifically based character to their struggle for the victory of communism.
All party organizations operate within the framework of the USSR Constitution.
Article 7. Trade unions, the All-Union Leninist Communist Youth Union, cooperative and other public organizations, in accordance with their statutory tasks, participate in the management of state and public affairs, in resolving political, economic and socio-cultural issues.
Article 8. Work collectives participate in the discussion and resolution of state and public affairs, in planning production and social development, in the training and placement of personnel, in the discussion and resolution of issues of managing enterprises and institutions, improving working and living conditions, and using funds intended for development production, as well as for socio-cultural events and material incentives.
Work collectives develop socialist competition, promote the dissemination of advanced work methods, strengthen labor discipline, educate their members in the spirit of communist morality, and take care of increasing their political consciousness, culture and professional qualifications.
Article 9. The main direction of development of the political system of Soviet society is the further development of socialist democracy: the increasingly broader participation of citizens in managing the affairs of the state and society, the improvement of the state apparatus, increasing the activity of public organizations, strengthening popular control, strengthening the legal basis of state and public life, expanding transparency, constant consideration of public opinion.
Chapter 2. Economic system
Article 10. The basis of the economic system of the USSR is socialist ownership of the means of production in the form of state (national) and collective farm-cooperative ownership.
Socialist property also includes the property of trade unions and other public organizations that they need to carry out their statutory tasks.
The state protects socialist property and creates conditions for its increase.
No one has the right to use socialist property for personal gain or other selfish purposes.
Article 11. State property is the common property of the entire Soviet people, the main form of socialist property.
The exclusive property of the state includes: land, its subsoil, water, forests. The state owns the main means of production in industry, construction and agriculture, means of transport and communications, banks, property of state-organized trade, utility and other enterprises, the main urban housing stock, as well as other property necessary to carry out the tasks of the state.
Article 12. The property of collective farms and other cooperative organizations and their associations are the means of production and other property necessary for them to carry out their statutory tasks.
The land occupied by collective farms is assigned to them for free and indefinite use.
The state promotes the development of collective farm-cooperative property and its convergence with state property.
Collective farms, like other land users, are obliged to effectively use the land, treat it with care, and increase its fertility.
Article 13. The basis of personal property of citizens of the USSR is labor income. Personal property may include household items, personal consumption, convenience and subsidiary household items, a residential building and labor savings. The personal property of citizens and the right to inherit it are protected by the state.
Citizens may use plots of land provided in accordance with the procedure established by law for farming (including keeping livestock and poultry), gardening and vegetable gardening, as well as for individual housing construction. Citizens are obliged to rationally use the land plots provided to them. The state and collective farms provide assistance to citizens in running their own farms.
Property that is personally owned or used by citizens should not be used to generate unearned income or be used to the detriment of the interests of society.
Article 14. The source of the growth of social wealth, the well-being of the people and every Soviet person is the labor of Soviet people, free from exploitation.
In accordance with the principle of socialism “From each according to his ability, to each according to his work,” the state exercises control over the measure of labor and consumption. It determines the amount of tax on income subject to tax.
Socially useful work and its results determine a person’s position in society. The state, combining material and moral incentives, encouraging innovation and a creative attitude to work, contributes to the transformation of labor into the first vital need of every Soviet person.
Article 15. The highest goal of social production under socialism is the most complete satisfaction of the growing material and spiritual needs of people.
Relying on the creative activity of workers, socialist competition, achievements of scientific and technological progress, improving the forms and methods of economic management, the state ensures an increase in labor productivity, an increase in production efficiency and quality of work, and a dynamic, planned and proportional development of the national economy.
Article 16. The economy of the USSR constitutes a single national economic complex, covering all links of social production, distribution and exchange on the territory of the country.
Economic management is carried out on the basis of state plans for economic and social development, taking into account sectoral and territorial principles, combining centralized management with economic independence and initiative of enterprises, associations and other organizations. In this case, economic calculation, profit, cost, and other economic levers and incentives are actively used.
Article 17. In the USSR, in accordance with the law, individual labor activity is allowed in the field of handicrafts, agriculture, consumer services for the population, as well as other types of activities based exclusively on the personal labor of citizens and members of their families. The state regulates individual labor activity, ensuring its use in the interests of society.
Article 18. In the interests of present and future generations in the USSR, the necessary measures are taken to protect and scientifically based, rational use of the land and its subsoil, water resources, flora and fauna, to preserve clean air and water, ensure the reproduction of natural resources and improve the environment human environment.
Chapter 3. Social development and culture
Article 19. The social basis of the USSR is the unbreakable alliance of workers, peasants and intelligentsia.
The state helps to strengthen the social homogeneity of society - the erasure of class differences, significant differences between city and countryside, mental and physical labor, the comprehensive development and rapprochement of all nations and nationalities of the USSR.
Article 20. In accordance with the communist ideal “The free development of everyone is a condition for the free development of all,” the state sets as its goal the expansion of real opportunities for citizens to use their creative powers, abilities and talents, for the comprehensive development of the individual.
Article 21. The state takes care of improving working conditions and labor protection, its scientific organization, reducing, and subsequently completely eliminating heavy physical labor on the basis of comprehensive mechanization and automation of production processes in all sectors of the national economy.
Article 22. In the USSR, a program for transforming agricultural labor into a type of industrial labor is being consistently implemented; expanding the network of institutions of public education, culture, health care, trade and public catering, consumer services and utilities in rural areas; transforming villages and hamlets into comfortable settlements.
Article 23. Based on the growth of labor productivity, the state is steadily pursuing a policy of increasing the level of wages and real incomes of workers.
In order to more fully satisfy the needs of Soviet people, public consumption funds are being created. The state, with the broad participation of public organizations and labor collectives, ensures the growth and fair distribution of these funds.
Article 24. In the USSR, state systems of health care, social security, trade and public catering, consumer services and public utilities operate and develop.
The state encourages the activities of cooperative and other public organizations in all areas of public service. It promotes the development of mass physical culture and sports.
Article 25. In the USSR, a unified system of public education exists and is being improved, which provides general educational and vocational training for citizens, serves communist education, the spiritual and physical development of youth, and prepares them for work and social activities.
Article 26. In accordance with the needs of society, the state ensures the systematic development of science and the training of scientific personnel, organizes the introduction of the results of scientific research into the national economy and other spheres of life.
Article 27. The state takes care of the protection, enhancement and widespread use of spiritual values for the moral and aesthetic education of Soviet people and raising their cultural level.
In the USSR, the development of professional art and folk art is encouraged in every possible way.
Chapter 4. Foreign Policy
Article 28. The USSR steadily pursues Lenin’s peace policy and advocates strengthening the security of peoples and broad international cooperation.
The foreign policy of the USSR is aimed at ensuring favorable international conditions for building communism in the USSR, protecting the state interests of the Soviet Union, strengthening the position of world socialism, supporting the struggle of peoples for national liberation and social progress, preventing wars of aggression, achieving general and complete disarmament and the consistent implementation of the principle peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems.
In the USSR, war propaganda is prohibited.
Article 29. Relations of the USSR with other states are built on the basis of compliance with the principles of sovereign equality; mutual renunciation of the use of force or threat of force; inviolability of borders; territorial integrity of states; peaceful settlement of disputes; non-interference in internal affairs; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; equality and the right of peoples to control their own destinies; cooperation between states; conscientious fulfillment of obligations arising from generally recognized principles and norms of international law, from international treaties concluded by the USSR.
Article 30. The USSR, as an integral part of the world system of socialism, the socialist community, develops and strengthens friendship and cooperation, comradely mutual assistance with socialist countries on the basis of the principle of socialist internationalism, actively participates in economic integration and in the international socialist division of labor.
Chapter 5. Defense of the socialist Fatherland
Article 31. Defense of the socialist Fatherland is one of the most important functions of the state and is the business of the entire people.
In order to protect socialist gains, the peaceful labor of the Soviet people, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, the Armed Forces of the USSR were created and universal military service was established.
The duty of the Armed Forces of the USSR to the people is to reliably defend the socialist Fatherland, to be in constant combat readiness, guaranteeing immediate rebuff to any aggressor.
Article 32. The state ensures the security and defense capability of the country and equips the Armed Forces of the USSR with everything necessary.
The responsibilities of state bodies, public organizations, officials and citizens to ensure the security of the country and strengthen its defense capability are determined by the legislation of the USSR.
II. State and personality
Chapter 6. Citizenship of the USSR. Equality of citizens
Article 33. A single union citizenship has been established in the USSR. Every citizen of a union republic is a citizen of the USSR.
The grounds and procedure for acquiring and losing Soviet citizenship are determined by the Law on Citizenship of the USSR.
Citizens of the USSR abroad enjoy the protection and patronage of the Soviet state.
Article 34. Citizens of the USSR are equal before the law regardless of origin, social and property status, race and nationality, gender, education, language, attitude to religion, type and nature of occupation, place of residence and other circumstances.
Equality of citizens of the USSR is ensured in all areas of economic, political, social and cultural life.
Article 35. Women and men have equal rights in the USSR.
The implementation of these rights is ensured by providing women with equal opportunities with men in obtaining education and professional training, in work, remuneration for it and promotion at work, in socio-political and cultural activities, as well as special measures for the protection of labor and women's health; creating conditions that allow women to combine work with motherhood; legal protection, material and moral support for motherhood and childhood, including the provision of paid leave and other benefits to pregnant women and mothers, a gradual reduction in working hours for women with young children.
Article 36. Citizens of the USSR of different races and nationalities have equal rights.
The implementation of these rights is ensured by the policy of comprehensive development and rapprochement of all nations and nationalities of the USSR, education of citizens in the spirit of Soviet patriotism and socialist internationalism, and the opportunity to use their native language and the languages of other peoples of the USSR.
Any direct or indirect restriction of rights, the establishment of direct or indirect advantages of citizens on racial and national grounds, as well as any preaching of racial or national exclusivity, hostility or disdain are punishable by law.
Article 37. Foreign citizens and stateless persons in the USSR are guaranteed the rights and freedoms provided for by law, including the right to apply to court and other government bodies to protect their personal, property, family and other rights.
Foreign citizens and stateless persons located on the territory of the USSR are obliged to respect the Constitution of the USSR and comply with Soviet laws.
Article 38. The USSR grants the right of asylum to foreigners persecuted for defending the interests of workers and the cause of peace, for participation in the revolutionary and national liberation movement, for progressive socio-political, scientific or other creative activities.
Chapter 7. Fundamental rights, freedoms and obligations of citizens of the USSR
Article 39. Citizens of the USSR have the fullness of socio-economic, political and personal rights and freedoms proclaimed and guaranteed by the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws. The socialist system ensures the expansion of rights and freedoms, the continuous improvement of the living conditions of citizens as programs of socio-economic and cultural development are implemented.
The use of rights and freedoms by citizens should not harm the interests of society and the state, or the rights of other citizens.
Article 40. Citizens of the USSR have the right to work, that is, to receive guaranteed work with wages in accordance with its quantity and quality and not lower than the minimum amount established by the state, including the right to choose a profession, occupation and work in accordance with their vocation , abilities, professional training, education and taking into account social needs.
This right is ensured by the socialist economic system, the steady growth of the productive forces, free vocational training, increasing labor qualifications and training in new specialties, and the development of vocational guidance and employment systems.
Article 41. Citizens of the USSR have the right to rest.
This right is ensured by the establishment of a working week for workers and employees not exceeding 41 hours, a shortened working day for a number of professions and industries, and a reduced duration of night work; provision of annual paid holidays, weekly rest days, as well as expansion of the network of cultural, educational and health institutions, development of mass sports, physical culture and tourism; creating favorable opportunities for recreation at the place of residence and other conditions for the rational use of free time.
The length of working time and rest for collective farmers is regulated by collective farms.
Article 42. Citizens of the USSR have the right to health care.
This right is ensured by free qualified medical care provided by state health care institutions; expanding the network of institutions for treating and improving the health of citizens; development and improvement of safety precautions and industrial sanitation; carrying out extensive preventive measures; measures to improve the environment; special concern for the health of the younger generation, including the prohibition of child labor not related to training and labor education; deployment of scientific research aimed at preventing and reducing morbidity, ensuring a long active life for citizens.
Article 43. Citizens of the USSR have the right to financial support in old age, in case of illness, complete or partial loss of ability to work, as well as loss of a breadwinner.
This right is guaranteed by social insurance of workers, employees and collective farmers, benefits for temporary disability; payment at the expense of the state and collective farms of pensions for age, disability and loss of a breadwinner; employment of citizens who have partially lost their ability to work; care for elderly citizens and people with disabilities; other forms of social security.
Article 44. Citizens of the USSR have the right to housing.
This right is ensured by the development and protection of the state and public housing stock, the promotion of cooperative and individual housing construction, the fair distribution under public control of living space provided as the program for the construction of comfortable housing is implemented, as well as low fees for apartments and utilities. Citizens of the USSR must take care of the housing provided to them.
Article 45. Citizens of the USSR have the right to education.
This right is ensured by the freeness of all types of education, the implementation of universal compulsory secondary education for youth, the widespread development of vocational, secondary specialized and higher education based on the connection between learning and life, with production; development of correspondence and evening education; provision of state scholarships and benefits to pupils and students, free issuance of school textbooks; the opportunity to study at school in their native language; creating conditions for self-education.
Article 46. Citizens of the USSR have the right to enjoy cultural achievements.
This right is ensured by the general availability of values of national and world culture held in state and public funds; development and uniform distribution of cultural and educational institutions throughout the country; the development of television and radio, book publishing and periodicals, a network of free libraries; expansion of cultural exchange with foreign countries.
Article 47. Citizens of the USSR, in accordance with the goals of communist construction, are guaranteed freedom of scientific, technical and artistic creativity. It is ensured by the widespread development of scientific research, inventive and rationalization activities, and the development of literature and art. The state creates the necessary material conditions for this, provides support to voluntary societies and creative unions, organizes the introduction of inventions and rationalization proposals into the national economy and other spheres of life.
Article 48. Citizens of the USSR have the right to participate in the management of state and public affairs, in the discussion and adoption of laws and decisions of national and local importance.
This right is ensured by the opportunity to elect and be elected to the Councils of People's Deputies and other elected state bodies, to take part in national discussions and voting, in popular control, in the work of state bodies, public organizations and public amateur bodies, in meetings of labor collectives and at the place of residence .
Article 49. Every citizen of the USSR has the right to make proposals to state bodies and public organizations to improve their activities, and to criticize shortcomings in their work.
Officials are obliged to consider proposals and applications from citizens within the established time frame, give answers to them and take the necessary measures.
Retaliation for criticism is prohibited. Persons persecuted for criticism are held accountable.
Article 50. In accordance with the interests of the people and in order to strengthen and develop the socialist system, citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedoms: speech, press, meetings, rallies, street processions and demonstrations.
The exercise of these political freedoms is ensured by the provision of public buildings, streets and squares to workers and their organizations, the wide dissemination of information, and the possibility of using the press, television and radio.
Article 51. In accordance with the goals of communist construction, citizens of the USSR have the right to unite in public organizations that promote the development of political activity and initiative, and the satisfaction of their diverse interests.
Public organizations are guaranteed conditions for the successful fulfillment of their statutory tasks.
Article 52. Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedom of conscience, that is, the right to profess any religion or not to profess any, to practice religious worship or conduct atheistic propaganda. Inciting hostility and hatred in connection with religious beliefs is prohibited.
The church in the USSR is separated from the state and the school from the church.
Article 53. The family is under the protection of the state.
Marriage is based on the voluntary consent of a woman and a man; spouses have full equal rights in family relationships.
The state takes care of the family by creating and developing a wide network of child care institutions, organizing and improving consumer services and public catering, paying benefits on the occasion of the birth of a child, providing benefits and benefits to large families, as well as other types of benefits and assistance to the family.
Article 54. Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed personal integrity. No one can be arrested except on the basis of a court decision or with the sanction of a prosecutor.
Article 55. Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed the inviolability of their homes. No one has the right to enter a home without legal grounds against the will of the persons living there.
Article 56. The personal life of citizens, the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraph messages are protected by law.
Article 57. Respect for the individual, protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens is the responsibility of all government bodies, public organizations and officials.
Citizens of the USSR have the right to judicial protection from attacks on honor and dignity, life and health, personal freedom and property.
Article 58. Citizens of the USSR have the right to appeal the actions of officials, state and public bodies. Complaints must be considered in the manner and within the time limits established by law.
Actions of officials committed in violation of the law, in excess of authority, and infringing on the rights of citizens may be appealed to the court in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Citizens of the USSR have the right to compensation for damage caused by illegal actions of state and public organizations, as well as officials in the performance of their official duties.
Article 59. The exercise of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the fulfillment by a citizen of his duties.
A citizen of the USSR is obliged to comply with the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws, respect the rules of socialist society, and bear the high title of citizen of the USSR with dignity.
Article 60. The duty and matter of honor of every capable citizen of the USSR is to work conscientiously in his chosen field of socially useful activity and to observe labor discipline. Avoidance of socially useful work is incompatible with the principles of a socialist society.
Article 61. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to protect and strengthen socialist property. The duty of a citizen of the USSR is to fight the theft and waste of state and public property, and to take care of the people's property.
Persons who encroach on socialist property are punished by law.
Article 62. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to protect the interests of the Soviet state and contribute to the strengthening of its power and authority.
Defense of the socialist Fatherland is the sacred duty of every citizen of the USSR.
Treason to the Motherland is the gravest crime against the people.
Article 63. Military service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the USSR is an honorable duty of Soviet citizens.
Article 64. The duty of every citizen of the USSR is to respect the national dignity of other citizens, to strengthen the friendship of the nations and nationalities of the Soviet multinational state.
Article 65. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to respect the rights and legitimate interests of other persons, to be uncompromising towards antisocial acts, and to contribute in every possible way to the protection of public order.
Article 66. Citizens of the USSR are obliged to take care of the upbringing of their children, prepare them for socially useful work, and raise them as worthy members of a socialist society. Children are obliged to take care of their parents and provide them with assistance.
Article 67. Citizens of the USSR are obliged to take care of nature and protect its wealth.
Article 68. Caring for the preservation of historical monuments and other cultural values is the duty and responsibility of citizens of the USSR.
Article 69. The international duty of a citizen of the USSR is to promote the development of friendship and cooperation with the peoples of other countries, the maintenance and strengthening of universal peace.
III. National-state structure of the USSR
Chapter 8. USSR - union state
Article 70. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a single union multinational state formed on the basis of the principle of socialist federalism, as a result of the free self-determination of nations and the voluntary unification of equal Soviet Socialist Republics.
The USSR personifies the state unity of the Soviet people, unites all nations and nationalities for the purpose of jointly building communism.
Article 71. The following are united in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic,
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic,
Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic,
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic,
Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic,
Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic,
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Article 72. Each union republic retains the right to freely secede from the USSR.
Article 73. The following are subject to the jurisdiction of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics represented by its highest bodies of state power and administration:
1) admission of new republics to the USSR; approval of the formation of new autonomous republics and autonomous regions within the union republics;
2) determination of the state border of the USSR and approval of changes in borders between union republics;
3) establishment of general principles of organization and activity of republican and local bodies of state power and administration;
4) ensuring the unity of legislative regulation throughout the entire territory of the USSR, establishing the foundations of the legislation of the USSR and union republics;
5) implementation of a unified socio-economic policy, management of the country’s economy; determination of the main directions of scientific and technological progress and general measures for the rational use and protection of natural resources; development and approval of state plans for economic and social development of the USSR, approval of reports on their implementation;
6) development and approval of the unified state budget of the USSR, approval of the report on its implementation; management of a unified monetary and credit system; establishment of taxes and revenues received for the formation of the state budget of the USSR; determining policy in the field of prices and wages;
7) management of sectors of the national economy, associations and enterprises of union subordination; general management of sectors of union-republican subordination;
8) issues of peace and war, protection of sovereignty, protection of state borders and territory of the USSR, organization of defense, leadership of the Armed Forces of the USSR;
9) ensuring state security;
10) representation of the USSR in international relations; relations of the USSR with foreign states and international organizations; establishment of a general order and coordination of relations of the union republics with foreign states and international organizations; foreign trade and other types of foreign economic activity on the basis of a state monopoly;
11) control over compliance with the Constitution of the USSR and ensuring compliance of the constitutions of the union republics with the Constitution of the USSR;
12) resolving other issues of national importance.
Article 74. The laws of the USSR have equal force on the territory of all union republics. In the event of a discrepancy between the law of a Union republic and the all-Union law, the law of the USSR shall apply.
Article 75. The territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is united and includes the territories of the union republics.
The sovereignty of the USSR extends to its entire territory.
Chapter 9. Federal Soviet Socialist Republic
Article 76. A Union Republic is a sovereign Soviet socialist state that united with other Soviet republics into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Outside the limits specified in Article 73 of the USSR Constitution, a union republic independently exercises state power on its territory.
The Union Republic has its own Constitution, which corresponds to the Constitution of the USSR and takes into account the peculiarities of the republic.
Article 77. The Union Republic participates in resolving issues within the jurisdiction of the USSR in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Government of the USSR and other bodies of the USSR.
A Union Republic ensures comprehensive economic and social development on its territory, promotes the implementation of the powers of the USSR on this territory, and implements the decisions of the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR.
On issues within its jurisdiction, the union republic coordinates and controls the activities of enterprises, institutions and organizations of union subordination.
Article 78. The territory of a union republic cannot be changed without its consent. The borders between union republics may be changed by mutual agreement of the respective republics, which is subject to approval by the USSR.
Article 79. The Union Republic determines its regional, regional, district, district divisions and resolves other issues of administrative-territorial structure.
Article 80. The Union Republic has the right to enter into relations with foreign states, conclude agreements with them and exchange diplomatic and consular representatives, and participate in the activities of international organizations.
Article 81. The sovereign rights of the Union republics are protected by the USSR.
Chapter 10. Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
Article 82. An autonomous republic is part of a union republic.
An autonomous republic, outside the limits of the rights of the USSR and a union republic, independently resolves issues within its jurisdiction.
An autonomous republic has its own Constitution, which corresponds to the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of a union republic and takes into account the characteristics of an autonomous republic.
Article 83. An autonomous republic participates in resolving issues within the jurisdiction of the USSR and the union republic through the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR and the union republic, respectively.
An autonomous republic ensures comprehensive economic and social development on its territory, promotes the exercise of the powers of the USSR and the union republic on this territory, and implements the decisions of the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR and the union republic.
On issues within its jurisdiction, the autonomous republic coordinates and controls the activities of enterprises, institutions and organizations of the union and republican (union republic) subordination.
Article 84. The territory of an autonomous republic cannot be changed without its consent.
Article 85. The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic consists of the following autonomous Soviet socialist republics: Bashkir, Buryat, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkarian, Kalmyk, Karelian, Komi, Mari, Mordovian, North Ossetian, Tatar, Tuva, Udmurt, Chechen-Ingush, Chuvash , Yakutskaya.
The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic consists of the Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic consists of the Abkhazian and Adjarian autonomous Soviet socialist republics.
The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic consists of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
Chapter 11. Autonomous region and autonomous district
Article 86. An autonomous region is part of a union republic or region. The law on the autonomous region is adopted by the Supreme Council of the union republic on the proposal of the Council of People's Deputies of the autonomous region.
Article 87. The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic consists of autonomous regions: Adygea, Gorno-Altai, Jewish, Karachay-Cherkess, Khakass.
The South Ossetian Autonomous Region is part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.
The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic consists of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.
The Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic consists of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.
Article 88. An autonomous district is part of a territory or region. The law on autonomous okrugs is adopted by the Supreme Council of the Union Republic.
IV. Councils of People's Deputies and the procedure for their election
Chapter 12. System and principles of activity of the Councils of People's Deputies
Article 89. Councils of People's Deputies - the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Supreme Councils of Union Republics, Supreme Councils of Autonomous Republics, regional, regional Councils of People's Deputies, Councils of People's Deputies of Autonomous Regions and Autonomous Okrug, district, city, district in cities, township and village People's Councils deputies - constitute a unified system of government bodies.
Article 90. The term of office of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Councils of the Union Republics and the Supreme Councils of the Autonomous Republics is five years.
The term of office of local Councils of People's Deputies is two and a half years.
Elections to the Councils of People's Deputies are scheduled no later than two months before the expiration of the term of office of the relevant Councils.
Article 91. The most important issues falling under the jurisdiction of the relevant Councils of People's Deputies are considered and resolved at their sessions.
Councils of People's Deputies elect permanent commissions, create executive and administrative, as well as other bodies reporting to them.
Article 92. Councils of people's deputies form bodies of people's control, combining state control with public control of workers in enterprises, collective farms, institutions and organizations.
Organs of people's control monitor the implementation of state plans and assignments; are fighting against violations of state discipline, manifestations of localism, a departmental approach to business, mismanagement and waste, red tape and bureaucracy; contribute to improving the work of the state apparatus.
Article 93. Councils of people's deputies directly and through the bodies they create manage all sectors of state, economic and socio-cultural development, make decisions, ensure their implementation, and monitor the implementation of decisions.
Article 94. The activities of the Councils of People's Deputies are built on the basis of collective, free, business-like discussion and resolution of issues, transparency, regular reporting of executive and administrative bodies, other bodies created by the Councils to the Councils and the population, and wide involvement of citizens in participation in their work.
Councils of people's deputies and the bodies they create systematically inform the population about their work and decisions made.
Chapter 13. Electoral system
Article 95. Elections of deputies to all Councils of People's Deputies are carried out on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Article 96. Elections of deputies are universal: all citizens of the USSR who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and be elected, with the exception of persons recognized as insane in the manner prescribed by law.
A citizen of the USSR who has reached the age of 21 can be elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 97. Elections of deputies are equal: each voter has one vote; all voters participate in elections on equal terms.
Article 98. Elections of deputies are direct: deputies of all Councils of People's Deputies are elected directly by citizens.
Article 100. The right to nominate candidates for deputies belongs to organizations of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, trade unions, the All-Union Leninist Communist Youth Union, cooperative and other public organizations, labor collectives, as well as meetings of military personnel in military units.
Citizens of the USSR and public organizations are guaranteed a free and comprehensive discussion of the political, business and personal qualities of candidates for deputies, as well as the right to campaign at meetings, in the press, on television, and radio.
Expenses associated with holding elections to the Councils of People's Deputies are borne by the state.
Article 101. Elections of deputies to the Councils of People's Deputies are carried out according to electoral districts.
A citizen of the USSR cannot, as a rule, be elected to more than two Councils of People's Deputies.
Elections to the Soviets are carried out by election commissions, which are formed from representatives from public organizations, labor collectives and meetings of military personnel in military units.
The procedure for holding elections to the Councils of People's Deputies is determined by the laws of the USSR, union and autonomous republics.
Article 102. Voters give instructions to their deputies.
The relevant Councils of People's Deputies consider the orders of voters, take them into account when developing plans for economic and social development and drawing up the budget, organize the implementation of orders and inform citizens about their implementation.
Chapter 14. People's Deputy
Article 103. Deputies are authorized representatives of the people in the Councils of People's Deputies.
By participating in the work of the Councils, deputies resolve issues of state, economic and socio-cultural construction, organize the implementation of Council decisions, and monitor the work of government bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations.
In his activities, the deputy is guided by national interests, takes into account the needs of the population of the electoral district, and seeks to implement the orders of voters.
Article 104. A deputy exercises his powers without interrupting his production or official activities.
For the duration of Council sessions, as well as for the exercise of deputy powers in other cases provided for by law, a deputy is relieved from performing production or official duties while maintaining the average earnings at his place of permanent work.
Article 105. A deputy has the right to make a request to the relevant government bodies and officials, who are obliged to respond to the request at a session of the Council.
A deputy has the right to contact all state and public bodies, enterprises, institutions, organizations on issues of deputy activity and take part in the consideration of issues raised by him. The heads of relevant state and public bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations are obliged to immediately receive the deputy and consider his proposals within the established time frame.
Article 106. The deputy is provided with conditions for the unhindered and effective exercise of his rights and duties.
The immunity of deputies, as well as other guarantees of deputy activity, are established by the Law on the Status of Deputies and other legislative acts of the USSR, union and autonomous republics.
Article 107. A deputy is obliged to report on his work and the work of the Council to voters, as well as to the collectives and public organizations that nominated him as a candidate for deputy.
A deputy who has not lived up to the confidence of voters may be recalled at any time by decision of the majority of voters in the manner prescribed by law.
V. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the USSR
Chapter 15. Supreme Soviet of the USSR
Article 108. The supreme body of state power of the USSR is the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
The Supreme Soviet of the USSR is authorized to resolve all issues assigned by this Constitution to the jurisdiction of the USSR.
Adoption of the Constitution of the USSR, amendments to it; the admission of new republics to the USSR, approval of the formation of new autonomous republics and autonomous regions; approval of state plans for economic and social development of the USSR, the state budget of the USSR and reports on their implementation; The formation of the bodies of the USSR reporting to it is carried out exclusively by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
The laws of the USSR are adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or by popular vote (referendum) held by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 109. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR consists of two chambers: the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities.
The chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are equal.
Article 110. The Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities consist of an equal number of deputies.
The Council of the Union is elected from constituencies of equal population size.
The Council of Nationalities is elected according to the norm: 32 deputies from each union republic, 11 deputies from each autonomous republic, 5 deputies from each autonomous region and one deputy from each autonomous okrug.
The Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities, on the recommendation of the credentials commissions they elect, make a decision to recognize the powers of deputies, and in case of violation of election legislation, to recognize the elections of individual deputies as invalid.
Article 111. Each chamber of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR elects the Chairman of the chamber and four deputies.
The chairmen of the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities preside over the meetings of the respective chambers and are in charge of their internal regulations.
Joint sessions of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are chaired alternately by the chairmen of the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities.
Article 112. Sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are convened twice a year.
Extraordinary sessions are convened by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on its initiative, as well as on the proposal of the union republic or at least a third of the deputies of one of the chambers.
A session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR consists of separate and joint sessions of the chambers, as well as meetings of the standing commissions of the chambers or commissions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR held between them. The session opens and closes in separate or joint sessions of the chambers.
Article 113. The right of legislative initiative in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR belongs to the Council of the Union, the Council of Nationalities, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the union republics represented by their highest bodies of state power, the commissions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the standing commissions of its chambers, deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Court USSR, Prosecutor General of the USSR.
Public organizations represented by their all-Union bodies also have the right of legislative initiative.
Article 114. Draft laws and other issues submitted for consideration by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are discussed by the chambers at their separate or joint meetings. If necessary, a draft law or a corresponding issue may be submitted for preliminary or additional consideration to one or more commissions.
A USSR law is considered adopted if a majority of the total number of deputies of the chamber votes for it in each of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Resolutions and other acts of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are adopted by a majority of the total number of deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Draft laws and other most important issues of state life can be submitted for public discussion by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, adopted on their initiative or at the proposal of a union republic.
Article 115. In the event of a disagreement between the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities, the issue is referred to a conciliation commission formed by the chambers on a parity basis, after which the issue is considered a second time by the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities at a joint meeting. If in this case agreement is not reached, the issue is postponed for discussion at the next session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or referred to it for a popular vote (referendum).
Article 116. Laws of the USSR, resolutions and other acts of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are published in the languages of the union republics signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 117. A deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR has the right to make a request to the Council of Ministers of the USSR, to ministers and heads of other bodies formed by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Council of Ministers of the USSR or the official to whom the request is addressed is obliged to give an oral or written response at a given session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR within no more than three days.
Article 118. A deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR cannot be prosecuted, arrested or subjected to administrative penalties imposed by court, without the consent of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and in the period between its sessions - without the consent of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 119. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR elects at a joint meeting of the chambers the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - a permanent body of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, accountable to it in all its activities and carrying out, within the limits provided for by the Constitution, the functions of the highest body of state power of the USSR in the period between its sessions.
Article 120. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR is elected from among the deputies consisting of the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Council, the First Deputy Chairman, fifteen Deputy Chairman - one from each union republic, the Secretary of the Presidium and twenty-one members of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 121. Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR:
1) calls elections to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;
2) convenes sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;
3) coordinates the activities of the standing commissions of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;
4) exercises control over compliance with the Constitution of the USSR and ensures compliance of the constitutions and laws of the union republics with the Constitution and laws of the USSR;
5) gives an interpretation of the laws of the USSR;
6) ratifies and denounces international treaties of the USSR;
7) cancels resolutions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics in case of discrepancy with the law;
8) establishes military ranks, diplomatic ranks and other special ranks; assigns the highest military ranks, diplomatic ranks and other special titles;
9) establishes orders and medals of the USSR; establishes honorary titles of the USSR; awards orders and medals of the USSR; assigns honorary titles of the USSR;
10) accepts USSR citizenship; resolves issues on renunciation of USSR citizenship and deprivation of USSR citizenship, on granting asylum;
11) issues all-Union amnesty acts and carries out pardons;
12) appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the USSR in foreign states and international organizations;
13) accepts credentials and letters of recall from diplomatic representatives of foreign states accredited to him;
14) forms the Defense Council of the USSR and approves its composition, appoints and replaces the high command of the Armed Forces of the USSR;
15) declares martial law in certain localities or throughout the country in the interests of defending the USSR;
16) announces general or partial mobilization;
17) during the period between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, declares a state of war in the event of a military attack on the USSR or if it is necessary to fulfill international treaty obligations for mutual defense against aggression;
18) exercises other powers established by the Constitution and laws of the USSR.
Article 122. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in the period between sessions of the Supreme Council with subsequent submission for its approval at the next session:
1) makes, if necessary, changes to the current legislative acts of the USSR;
2) approves changes in borders between union republics;
3) at the proposal of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, creates and abolishes ministries of the USSR and state committees of the USSR;
4) on the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, dismisses from office and appoints individual persons who are members of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
Article 123. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issues decrees and adopts resolutions.
Article 124. Upon expiration of the powers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR retains its powers until the newly elected Supreme Soviet of the USSR forms a new Presidium.
The newly elected Supreme Soviet of the USSR is convened by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the previous composition no later than two months after the elections.
Section 125 government bodies and organizations. The Chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR can also create joint commissions on a parity basis.
The Supreme Soviet of the USSR creates, when it deems necessary, investigative, audit and other commissions on any issue.
All state and public bodies, organizations and officials are obliged to comply with the requirements of the commissions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the commissions of its chambers, and to provide them with the necessary materials and documents.
The recommendations of the commissions are subject to mandatory consideration by state and public bodies, institutions and organizations. The results of the review or the measures taken must be reported to the commissions within the prescribed period.
Article 126. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR exercises control over the activities of all state bodies reporting to it.
The Supreme Soviet of the USSR forms the Committee of People's Control of the USSR, which heads the system of bodies of people's control.
The organization and procedure for the activities of bodies of people's control are determined by the Law on People's Control in the USSR.
Article 127. The procedure for the activities of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its bodies is determined by the Regulations of the Supreme Council of the USSR and other laws of the USSR, issued on the basis of the Constitution of the USSR.
Chapter 16. Council of Ministers of the USSR
Article 128. The Council of Ministers of the USSR - the Government of the USSR - is the highest executive and administrative body of state power of the USSR.
Article 129. The Council of Ministers of the USSR is formed by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR at a joint meeting of the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities, consisting of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, first deputies and deputy chairmen, ministers of the USSR, chairmen of state committees of the USSR.
The Council of Ministers of the USSR includes ex officio chairmen of the Councils of Ministers of the Union republics.
On the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR may include into the Government of the USSR the heads of other bodies and organizations of the USSR.
The Council of Ministers of the USSR resigns its powers to the newly elected Supreme Soviet of the USSR at its first session.
Article 130. The Council of Ministers of the USSR is responsible to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and is accountable to it, and in the period between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, to which it is accountable.
The Council of Ministers of the USSR regularly reports on its work to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 131. The Council of Ministers of the USSR is competent to resolve all issues of public administration falling within the jurisdiction of the USSR, since they do not, according to the Constitution, fall within the competence of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Within the limits of its powers, the Council of Ministers of the USSR:
1) provides management of the national economy and socio-cultural construction; develops and implements measures to ensure the growth of the well-being and culture of the people, the development of science and technology, the rational use and protection of natural resources, the strengthening of the monetary and credit system, the implementation of a unified policy of prices, wages, social security, the organization of state insurance and a unified accounting system and statistics; organizes the management of industrial, construction, agricultural enterprises and associations, transport and communications enterprises, banks, as well as other organizations and institutions of union subordination;
2) develops and submits to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR current and long-term state plans for the economic and social development of the USSR, the state budget of the USSR; takes measures to implement state plans and budgets; submits reports to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the implementation of plans and budget execution;
3) implements measures to protect the interests of the state, protect socialist property and public order, to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens;
4) takes measures to ensure state security;
5) carries out general management of the construction of the Armed Forces of the USSR, determines the annual contingents of citizens subject to conscription for active military service;
6) carries out general management in the field of relations with foreign states, foreign trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation of the USSR with foreign countries; takes measures to ensure the implementation of international treaties of the USSR; approves and denounces intergovernmental international treaties;
7) if necessary, forms committees, main departments and other departments under the Council of Ministers of the USSR for economic, socio-cultural and defense development.
Article 132. To resolve issues related to ensuring the management of the national economy and other issues of public administration, the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, consisting of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, first deputies and deputy chairmen, acts as a permanent body of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
Article 133. The Council of Ministers of the USSR, on the basis of and in pursuance of the laws of the USSR and other decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its Presidium, issues resolutions and orders and verifies their implementation. Resolutions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the USSR are binding throughout the entire territory of the USSR.
Article 134. The Council of Ministers of the USSR has the right, on issues within the jurisdiction of the USSR, to suspend the execution of resolutions and orders of the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics, as well as to cancel acts of ministries of the USSR, state committees of the USSR, and other bodies subordinate to it.
Article 135. The Council of Ministers of the USSR unites and directs the work of all-Union and Union-Republican ministries and state committees of the USSR, and other bodies subordinate to it.
All-Union ministries and state committees of the USSR manage the branches of management entrusted to them or carry out intersectoral management throughout the entire territory of the USSR directly or through bodies created by them.
Union-republican ministries and state committees of the USSR manage the branches of management entrusted to them or carry out inter-sectoral management, as a rule, through the relevant ministries, state committees, and other bodies of the Union republics and directly manage individual enterprises and associations that are under the Union's subordination. The procedure for transferring enterprises and associations from republican and local subordination to union subordination is determined by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Ministries and state committees of the USSR are responsible for the state and development of the areas of management entrusted to them; within the limits of their competence, issue acts on the basis of and in pursuance of the laws of the USSR, other decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its Presidium, resolutions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the USSR; organize and check their implementation.
Article 136. The competence of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and its Presidium, the procedure for their activities, the relations of the Council of Ministers with other state bodies, as well as the list of all-Union and Union-Republican ministries and state committees of the USSR are determined on the basis of the Constitution by the Law on the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
VI. Fundamentals of building government bodies and administration in the union republics
Chapter 17. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the union republic
Article 137. The highest body of state power of a union republic is the Supreme Council of the union republic.
The Supreme Council of a union republic is authorized to resolve all issues within the jurisdiction of the union republic by the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the union republic.
Adoption of the Constitution of the Union Republic, introducing amendments to it; approval of state plans for economic and social development, the state budget of the union republic and reports on their implementation; The formation of bodies reporting to it is carried out exclusively by the Supreme Council of the Union Republic.
The laws of a union republic are adopted by the Supreme Council of the union republic or by popular vote (referendum) held by decision of the Supreme Council of the union republic.
Article 138. The Supreme Council of the Union Republic elects the Presidium of the Supreme Council - a permanent body of the Supreme Council of the Union Republic, accountable to it in all its activities. The composition and powers of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Union Republic are determined by the Constitution of the Union Republic.
Article 139. The Supreme Council of the Union Republic forms the Council of Ministers of the Union Republic - the Government of the Union Republic - the highest executive and administrative body of state power of the Union Republic.
The Council of Ministers of the Union Republic is responsible to the Supreme Council of the Union Republic and is accountable to it, and in the period between sessions of the Supreme Council - to the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Union Republic, to which it is accountable.
Article 140. The Council of Ministers of the Union Republic issues resolutions and orders on the basis of and in pursuance of legislative acts of the USSR and the Union Republic, resolutions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, organizes and verifies their implementation.
Article 141. The Council of Ministers of a union republic has the right to suspend the execution of decisions and orders of the Councils of Ministers of autonomous republics, to cancel decisions and orders of the executive committees of regional, regional, city (cities of republican subordination) Councils of People's Deputies, Councils of People's Deputies of autonomous regions, and in the union republics, not having a regional division - executive committees of district and corresponding city Councils of People's Deputies.
Article 142. The Council of Ministers of the Union Republic unites and directs the work of the Union-Republican and Republican ministries, state committees of the Union Republic, and other bodies subordinate to it.
Union-republican ministries and state committees of a union republic manage the branches of management entrusted to them or carry out intersectoral management, subordinate to both the Council of Ministers of the union republic and the corresponding Union-republican ministry of the USSR or state committee of the USSR.
Republican ministries and state committees manage the branches of government entrusted to them or carry out intersectoral management, subordinate to the Council of Ministers of the Union Republic.
Chapter 18. Supreme bodies of state power and administration of the autonomous republic
Article 143. The supreme body of state power of the autonomous republic is the Supreme Council of the autonomous republic.
Adoption of the Constitution of the Autonomous Republic, introducing amendments to it; approval of state plans for economic and social development, as well as the state budget of the autonomous republic; the formation of bodies reporting to it is carried out exclusively by the Supreme Council of the autonomous republic.
The laws of an autonomous republic are adopted by the Supreme Council of the autonomous republic.
Article 144. The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic elects the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic and forms the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic - the Government of the Autonomous Republic.
Chapter 19. Local bodies of state power and administration
Article 145. The bodies of state power in territories, regions, autonomous regions, autonomous okrugs, districts, cities, districts in cities, towns, rural settlements are the relevant Councils of People's Deputies.
Section 146 make their proposals on them.
Local Councils of People's Deputies manage state, economic and socio-cultural construction on their territory; approve plans for economic and social development and the local budget; carry out management of state bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations subordinate to them; ensure compliance with laws, protection of state and public order, and the rights of citizens; contribute to strengthening the country's defense capability.
Article 147. Within the limits of their powers, local Councils of People's Deputies ensure comprehensive economic and social development on their territory; exercise control over compliance with legislation by enterprises, institutions and organizations of higher subordination located in this territory; coordinate and control their activities in the field of land use, nature conservation, construction, use of labor resources, production of consumer goods, socio-cultural, consumer and other services to the population.
Article 148. Local Councils of People's Deputies make decisions within the powers granted to them by the legislation of the USSR, union and autonomous republic. Decisions of local Councils are binding on all enterprises, institutions and organizations located on the territory of the Council, as well as officials and citizens.
Article 149. The executive and administrative bodies of local Councils of People's Deputies are the executive committees elected by them from among the deputies.
Executive committees report at least once a year to the Councils that elected them, as well as at meetings of labor collectives and at the place of residence of citizens.
Article 150. The executive committees of local Councils of People's Deputies are directly accountable to both the Council that elected them and the higher executive and administrative body.
VII. Justice, arbitration and prosecutorial supervision
Chapter 20. Court and arbitration
Article 151. Justice in the USSR is carried out only by the court.
In the USSR there are the Supreme Court of the USSR, Supreme Courts of the union republics, Supreme Courts of the autonomous republics, regional, regional, city courts, courts of autonomous regions, courts of autonomous districts, district (city) people's courts, as well as military tribunals in the Armed Forces.
Article 152. All courts in the USSR are formed on the basis of the election of judges and people's assessors.
People's judges of district (city) people's courts are elected by citizens of the district (city) on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for a period of five years. People's assessors of district (city) people's courts are elected at meetings of citizens at their place of work or residence by open vote for a period of two and a half years.
Higher courts are elected by the respective Councils of People's Deputies for a period of five years.
Judges of military tribunals are elected by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for a period of five years, and people's assessors are elected by meetings of military personnel for a period of two and a half years.
Judges and people's assessors are responsible to voters or the bodies that elected them, report to them and can be recalled by them in the manner prescribed by law.
Article 153. The Supreme Court of the USSR is the highest judicial body of the USSR and exercises supervision over the judicial activities of the courts of the USSR, as well as the courts of the Union republics, within the limits established by law.
The Supreme Court of the USSR is elected by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR consisting of a Chairman, his deputies, members and people's assessors. The Supreme Court of the USSR includes ex officio chairmen of the Supreme Courts of the Union republics.
The organization and procedure for the activities of the Supreme Court of the USSR are determined by the Law on the Supreme Court of the USSR.
Article 154. Consideration of civil and criminal cases in all courts is carried out collegiately; in the court of first instance - with the participation of people's assessors. When administering justice, people's assessors enjoy all the rights of a judge.
Article 155. Judges and people's assessors are independent and subject only to the law.
Article 156. Justice in the USSR is carried out on the basis of equality of citizens before the law and the court.
Article 157. The hearing of cases in all courts is open. Hearing cases in closed court sessions is permitted only in cases established by law, in compliance with all rules of legal proceedings.
Article 158. The accused is guaranteed the right to defense.
Article 159. Legal proceedings are conducted in the language of a union or autonomous republic, autonomous region, autonomous district or in the language of the majority of the population of a given area. Persons participating in the case who do not speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted are guaranteed the right to fully familiarize themselves with the case materials, participate in judicial actions through an interpreter and the right to speak in court in their native language.
Article 160 No one can be found guilty of committing a crime or subjected to criminal punishment except by a court verdict and in accordance with the law.
Article 161. Bar associations operate to provide legal assistance to citizens and organizations. In cases provided for by law, legal assistance to citizens is provided free of charge.
The organization and procedure for the activities of the legal profession are determined by the legislation of the USSR and union republics.
Article 162. Representatives of public organizations and labor collectives may participate in legal proceedings in civil and criminal cases.
Article 163. The resolution of economic disputes between enterprises, institutions and organizations is carried out by state arbitration bodies within the limits of their competence.
The organization and procedure for the activities of state arbitration bodies are determined by the Law on State Arbitration in the USSR.
Chapter 21. Prosecutor's Office
Article 164. Supreme supervision over the accurate and uniform implementation of laws by all ministries, state committees and departments, enterprises, institutions and organizations, executive and administrative bodies of local Councils of People's Deputies, collective farms, cooperative and other public organizations, officials, as well as citizens is entrusted to The Prosecutor General of the USSR and the prosecutors subordinate to him.
Article 165. The Prosecutor General of the USSR is appointed by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, is responsible to it and is accountable to it, and in the period between sessions of the Supreme Council - to the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR, to which he is accountable.
Article 166. Prosecutors of union republics, autonomous republics, territories, regions and autonomous regions are appointed by the Prosecutor General of the USSR. Prosecutors of autonomous districts, district and city prosecutors are appointed by prosecutors of the union republics and approved by the Prosecutor General of the USSR.
Article 167. The term of office of the Prosecutor General of the USSR and all subordinate prosecutors is five years.
Article 168. Prosecutor's offices exercise their powers independently of any local bodies, subordinate only to the Prosecutor General of the USSR.
The organization and procedure for the activities of the prosecutor's office are determined by the Law on the Prosecutor's Office of the USSR.
VIII. Coat of arms, flag, anthem and capital of the USSR
Article 169. The state emblem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is an image of a hammer and sickle against the background of the globe, in the rays of the sun and framed by ears of corn, with the inscription in the languages of the union republics: “Workers of all countries, unite!” At the top of the coat of arms is a five-pointed star.
Article 170. The state flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a red rectangular panel with an image in its upper corner, at the shaft, of a golden sickle and hammer and above them a red five-pointed star framed by a gold border. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 1:2.
Article 171. The national anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 172. The capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is the city of Moscow.
IX. The operation of the USSR Constitution and the procedure for amending it
Article 173. The Constitution of the USSR has the highest legal force. All laws and other acts of state bodies are issued on the basis and in accordance with the Constitution of the USSR.
Article 174. Amendments to the Constitution of the USSR are made by a decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, adopted by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies of each of its chambers.