• OurToothbrush@lemmy.ml
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    6 months ago

    In Russia, Stalin abolished the soviets (A.K.A worker’s councils, kinda like mega unions) in the Soviet union.

    Are you referring to the constitution of 1936, which established 4 layers of representative councils (local, regional, national, union) as Stalin dissolving the Soviets?

    1. why do you think that is worse

    2. why do you blame it on Stalin? Seems like a thing that was written and implemented pretty democratically.

    • Barbarian@sh.itjust.works
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      6 months ago

      No, I’m not talking about the 1936 constitution. I meant specifically the disempowerment of local and union soviets.

      I’m no expert on Russian history, so I may be misinformed about this, but as far as I understand it he put in place a series of reforms that stripped power from the local level and empowered the central committee.

      • OurToothbrush@lemmy.ml
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        6 months ago

        Shifted power in the sense of the local branches were federated within the same structure now, but honestly that seems more accountable and democratic?

      • Cowbee [he/him]@lemmy.ml
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        6 months ago

        This is partially true. Issues arose from trying to marry central planning with localized production, so there were a series of reforms that shifted the balance of control. This didn’t end worker representation, it was a major shift that changed its form as the USSR industrialized and grew beyond where it once was.

        Was it perfect and entirely democratic? No. Was it far more democratic than Capitalism? Absolutely, without question.