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Overview of Soviet Inner Cabinet Structure

The document discusses the structure and functioning of the Soviet government, particularly focusing on the inner cabinet formed during World War II and its evolution into the current Council of Ministers. It highlights the principle of ministerial responsibility as outlined in the Soviet Constitution, noting its similarities to parliamentary systems but emphasizing the unique challenges posed by the one-party rule in the USSR. The text raises questions about the viability of democracy under a single-party system, contrasting it with multi-party systems where opposition is allowed and consulted.

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4 views1 page

Overview of Soviet Inner Cabinet Structure

The document discusses the structure and functioning of the Soviet government, particularly focusing on the inner cabinet formed during World War II and its evolution into the current Council of Ministers. It highlights the principle of ministerial responsibility as outlined in the Soviet Constitution, noting its similarities to parliamentary systems but emphasizing the unique challenges posed by the one-party rule in the USSR. The text raises questions about the viability of democracy under a single-party system, contrasting it with multi-party systems where opposition is allowed and consulted.

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jayhari261025
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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536 AN INTRODUCIION TO POLITICS

The Iimer Cabinet.


the Soviet Ministiy is so large that
it is
The size of
impossible foi this body consisting of about
60 members 10
take quick decision and piompt action So dm mg the Second
a soit of an innei cabinet \\a8 foimcd for
the
Woild Wai,
successful piosecution of the wai. then consisted of about
It

10 members undei the name of State Committee foi Defence.


Aftei the conclusion of the wai, theCommittee for Defence
was tiansfoimed into the piesent mnei cabinet consisting of
the Chan man of the Council of Ministers and tlie Vice-
chaiimen inner cabinet consists of the top-ianking
The
Communist leadeis, almost all of whom aie membcis of the
Pohtbmeau It is this body which foimulates all impoitant
policies of the state

hlmisterial Responsibility in the Soviet Constitution.

The Soviet constitution provides tliat the Council of


Mmisteis is to be appointed by the Supreme Soviet and it
will be responsible and accountable to the Supieme Soviet,
but m the intervals between its sessions, the ministiy will
be responsible to the Presidium It has been fuithei laid
down in the Constitution that if any member of either House
of legislature ask any question to any mmistei, the minister
concerned must give either a veibal or a written leply ivithin
thiee days These provisions seem to prove that the piinciple
of ministeiial responsibility works in the USSR
in the same
way as mGieat Britain or in any othei countiy having a
parliamentary system of government But really speaking,
there is a wide divergence between Soviet practice and prac-
tice in other pailiamentaiy governments The most lemark-
able feature of the Soviet government is that it is a one-paity
government which does not allow any other party to exist,
let alone any opposition In other countiies, theie aie active
oppositions which are given not only full opportunities
for
criticism of the policies of the paity m
powei but aie also
consulted on matters of vital interest to the
state But in
the USSR, one party rules and the same set of
men rule
the country m
different capacities. So the question is if
demociacy can function successfully under
one-paity govern-

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