Was the USSR partially democratic?

[RGacky3]

Did the people get to vote for the party leader or primer.

[antieverything]

From what I understand, elections were only open to candidates approved by the CP and usually had only one candidate. I think that the party head was elected by the party itself, not the people. So, in conclusion, while the USSR may have appeared somewhat democratic, in reality it was in complete control of the elites in control of the CP.

[KickMcCann]

I have a question about that:

So pretty much the CP controlled everything, that I know. But what was the ratio of party members/ non-party members in the Soviet population?

So, if only CP members could vote, then why didn't the whole population join the CP? Was it hard to become a member?

[RGacky3]

I always though that about 50% of the population was part of the CP.

[munkey soup]

I thought it was less.

[man in the red suit]

it's less than 50. and no, it wasn't democratic. It was like Cuba is today; there are "democratic elections" but they aint really democratic when you consider that the same party members are the ones who are doing the voting.

[redstar2000]

The USSR had nominally democratic institutions but after 1930 (at the latest), the elite of the CPSU(B) ran the show. Even party members had no choice but to vote for their leaders or cast blank ballots.

It's interesting to see how capitalist "democracies" achieve the same end (control by an elite). By effectively monopolizing the electoral process (through vast amounts of money), they get what they want (total power) and manage to look so much "nicer" than the evil Soviets did.

Have to hand it to the bastards; sometimes they are really clever buggers!

[James]

I suppose it depends on when.

This book i've nearly finished was written in '37, and is by this guy who lived there for 10 years (late 20's early 30's). Of course it could be simple propaganda, but its mightly fine if it is!

Basically the way h outlined it, was that everyone got the vote, both male and females, over the age of 18. If you could vote, you could stand up for election. The elected were subject to reviews, and could be withdrawn (basically their power could be taken away, and they were no longer a rep) if te people saw a need to do so.I'd say the elected were more delegates than MP's.

[evil chris]

mcann - you miss the point.If only CP members can vote it means that you only get one point of view put forward.To join the party you have to be on the party line.
Secondly you assume that the CP would accept a result they didn't like much.If people weren't following The Line then it would be purgin' time

[James]

Who was that at chris?

[LeninCCCP]

heres how the voting went...

( ) Communist Politician

Please check one...