Tharra
27-11-2004, 23:14
I thought it might be entertaining for nations to post overviews of their governments. Not entire world factbook entries, just the political overviews! Here's mine:
(Taken from my national website, at http://tharragov.freeservers.com/)
Government Overview
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Premier of the Council of Ministers: The Premier is appointed by the chairman of the Supreme Soviet's Presidium. He is the chairman of the council of Ministers and thus serves as the nation's head of government. However, the postion carries little power, and the Premier mainly concerns himself with economic policy and administration.
Presidium of the Council of Ministers: The standing body of the Council of Ministers, it directs the council's activities, and excercises its powers when it is not in session. It consists of the Premier, deputy premier, the KGB chairman, Procurator General, General Secretary, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, War, Finance, State Planning, Natural Resorces, and Foreign Trade. The Secretariat of the Party controls this body. All of its members hold their seats by virtue of position.
Council of Ministers: A council of the 51 heads of each ministry, it also consists of the a chairman (called the Premier), First Deputy Premier, and 12 Deputy Premiers. It meets frequently, however the council often delegates its duties to the induvidual ministries or its presidium. The council is controlled by the Secretariat as well, and because of this, it focuses mainly on economic affairs. Ministers are appointed by the Premier alone, on advise of the Secretariat.
Ministries: These are the lowest levels of government beaurocracy. However, ministries are allowed to pass some legeslation (with the consent of the Party, of course) that falls within their sphere. Each is controlled by a Party commission. Ministries themselves are staffed by thousands of induviduals and divided into numerous departments and divisions. There are 51 recognized government ministries, the Ministries of: Foreign Trade, Light Agriculture, Heavy Agriculture, Alternative Energy, Coal Industry, Oil Industry, Nuclear Energy, Military Industry, Light Industry, Heavy Industry, State Planning, Special Economic Affairs, Natural Resorces, Forestry, Industrial Labor, Agrarian Labor, Civil Labor, Heavy Technology, Light Technology, Light Machinary, Heavy Machinary, Military Machinary, Machine Building, General Transportation, Automotive Transportation, Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles, Civil Aviation, Military Aviation, Light Construction, Heavy Construction, Housing and Utilities, Social Devolpment, People’s Control, Culture, People’s Affairs, Health, Civil Science, Military Science, Scientific Development, Finance, Propoganda, State, Legal Affairs, Interior, Justice, Education, Foreign Affairs, War, KGB, and Party Affairs.
LEGESLATIVE BRANCH
Chairman of the Presidium: He is head of state and a symbol of the nation. However, the office usually is held by the General Secretary, and thus has much authority for a government post (though other holders of the office are quite powerless). The holder of this post is officially 'elected' by the Presidium, however, to rubberstamp an already made decision.
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: The Presidium presides over the Supreme Soviet and performs its tasks when it is not in session. It is the highest government body and it acts as the collective "head of state", though it is controlled by the Politburo in practice. There are 37 members: a chairman (who is head of state), a first deputy chairman, 15 deputy chairmen, the chairmen of each Supreme Soviet chamber, and 18 other members (9 from each chamber). It has the ability to excercise the full powers of the Supreme Soviet as well (which it nearly always does, acting as a chief legeslative body by default). Thus the body commonly rubberstamps Politburo decesions.
Defense Council: 5 member council (General Secretary, Ministers of War and Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the KGB, Premier, and a deputy chairman) that exists under the Presidium, who appoints it (with the approval of the Politburo of course). It is the superior of all military organizations, from the Red Army, to the Ministry of War, to the KGB. The chairman is regarded as Commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The council is always chaired by the General Secretary, by Party and national policy.
Supreme Soviet: The supreme organ of state power, it is controlled by the Central Committee of the Party. The soviet performs the task of rubberstamping the Party’s decisions and decrees. There are two equal chambers of 800 members each: the Soviet of the Nation and Soviet of the Union. Each chamber is also led by an elected chairman, and four of his appointed deputies, who head permanent committees. The members of the former chamber are elected by the Politburo for ten years each. The members of the latter chamber are elected by the Buros of each Oblast, on a basis of 25 delegates each, for a term of ten years as well. The body only meets once every six months. However, it delegates its tasks to the Presidium (which it elects, from candidates pre-decided by the Central Committee) when not in session.
Supreme Soviet Committees: Each chamber of the Supreme Soviet possess four permenant committees and six to nine semi-perminant committees. The committees oversee various parts of state administration and break up the work of the Supreme Soviet, allowing it to fuction smoothly. The committees are all overseen by the Secretariat, and allow the Party to keep a tight control over the Supreme Soviet. The committees are also charged with introducing legeslation, according to their sphere of influence. Each committee also has about 60 members, or so.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court: A basic state tribunal that is monopolized by the KGB and Procuracy. It has little authority, and operates under the Ministry of Justice. Usually it is used for political "show trials". It is presided over by the Procurator General, an appointed KGB officer, a chief justice, and six justices (the latter two being appointed by the Supreme Soviet). As with all courts, it may not interpret the law, only apply it.
Procurator General: He heads the Procuracy, and is even higher than the Minister of Justice, acting as an attorney general. As such the position is crucial to government operations, with its holder working closely with the KGB chairman. He is elected by the Supreme Soviet, and intern appoints every Procurator in the nation.
Procuracy: The nation's prosecuting system, which consists of various departments and offices led by the Procurator General. It works closely with the Ministry of Justice to investigate and prosecute crimes. Like the KGB, it usually has representation on both the Politburo and Council of Ministers. Every Oblast and City district has an appointed Procurator. The Procuracy's job itself, however, is to oversee the government, making sure it stays true to the doctrine of Stalinism.
LOWER GOVERNMENT LEVELS
Oblast Level
Oblast level government is, for the most part, nearly the same as national levels. At the base of the government structure sat the Ministries. These ministries were the same as their higher counterparts, with equally as many employees. The divisions and inner departments and offices are also as complex and divided. Party members can be appointed chairman of a ministry by the Executive Committee Chairman.
Oblast level legislative branch is led by the Oblast Soviet, a unicameral body of about 1000 delegates, elected by select city or district Buros for five years each. The soviet serves as a rubberstamp for pre-decided Party legislation concerning the oblast. It convenes once every three months only, with legislation proposed by Party controlled, impermanent committees, similar to their national counterparts. The soviet elects a "Central Executive Committee" from candidates pre decided by the Central Committee, to excercise its duties, and it intern elects an oblast chairman, to serve as head of state. The CEC is made up of 25 members, and serves as both the lead executive and legeslative body, as many leading heads of each ministry, as well as leading soviet delegates, make up its number.
Oblast judicial branches are made up of an Oblast Superior Court (made up of a procurator, KGB representative, and 3 justices), elected by the Oblast Soviet to rubberstamp the Party’s decision. There is also an appointed Oblast Procurator, and Procuracy support staff and central office.
City/District Level
City/District level government is supported by a huge base of government ministries, just like the Oblast governments. Each of these 60+ ministries is equally impressive in size, with numerous departments, divisions, and local offices. Heads of each of these ministries are appointed by the City or District chairman of the Executive Council. All of the above is subject to Party control, and even though the council and its organs are allowed to pass certain legislation concerning the local area, it is also subject to Party control.
Legislation consists of a unicameral “Soviet of the District/City”, whose numbers vary according to population; usually there are about 300 to 400 seats, however. It holds the authority to pass most legislation, though not without Party approval. The soviet is elected by the local PPO secretaries for a term of five years, and convenes every three months. Legislation is always introduced by impermanent committees, formed by the soviet itself. The Soviet of the District/City elects an "Executive Council", which holds power when the body is not in session. The EC, made up of 15 members, (and serves as both a body of leading ministers and soviet delegates) in turn elects its own chairman, with all of the above subject to Party control, via the local Buros and Raikoms.
Judicial level consists of several levels of courts. There is “District Superior Court”, “District Court”, and “Civil Court” for districts; and for cities, courts consist of “City Superior Court”, “City Court”, and “Civil Court”. Each of the above are made up of 3 justices, a procurator, and a KGB representative, to oversee the trial. There is also appointed procurator(s) for the district/city, and a large procuracy support staff and local office.
THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THARRA
General Secretary of the Communist Party: The General Secretary is the most powerful official in Tharra, and the supreme leader of the nation. He has no real restraints on his power either. By practice, he also is chairman of both the Presidium and Defense Council. The General Secretary is elected by the Politburo and serves for life. General Secretaries commonly develop a personality cult around themselves as well, which includes frequent praises and propoganda posters all around the nation ("the cult of the leader").
Secretariat: This body consists of the highest ranking members of the Politburo, as well as important Party members and officials of note. The General Secretary, a Second Secretary (basic second-in-command of the Party), 8 Secretaries, and 4 Candidate members number among its members. It focuses mainly on national and Party administration, overseeing the vast Party beaurocracy. Each of its secretaries oversees a sphere of influence that takes the main form of Party departments. They are the Secretaries of: Defense, State and Legal Affairs, Internal Affairs, Party Affairs, Agrarian Affairs, Economic Affairs, Heavy Industry, Light Industry, and Foreign Affairs. Its members are appointed by the General Secretary. The secretariat is also supported by a staff of several hundred for each secretary to help manage their tasks (this includes aids, deputies, secretaries, and rank-and-file members).
Politburo: Elite council that leads the Central Committee and directs the Party (to some extent). It consists of the General Secretary, 15 full members, and 8 candidate members. It drafts Party and national policy. Both it and the Secretariat are often, however, intertwined in function. Like the Secretariat, its members are appointed by the General Secretary, from Central Committee members. Because it directs the Party, the Politburo also directs the nation to some extent, holding most of the Party's perogative. However, it is still under the control of the General Secretary, who acts as its chairman.
Orgburo: A small, but important, committee that is appointed by the Secretariat to handle the distribution of Party members. It is also the de facto authority behind the Ministry of Party Affairs. Its 110 members are led by the Second Secretary and board of five deputies. All of its members are appointed by the Politburo. Oblasts also have Orgburos, as do districts. However, in cities, their position is filled by PPO's.
Central Auditing Committee: The central auditing committee has the task of overseeing Party finance. It is, however, a fully fledged department as well. There are 150 committee members, all of whom who are appointed by either the General Secretary or the Central Committee. Its chairman selects an inner committee to lead it of four or five high ranking members.
Party Control Committee: A committee of 125 members that is appointed by the Politburo to investigate violations of Party law and Stalinist values. The committee is basically controlled by the KGB in all but name. In fact, the committee’s leader is usually a KBG strong man.
Party Departments: Departments are made up of about 150 to 200 members each. They serve as bodies to parody government ministries, overseeing them in the same matter; the departments also oversee the Party in many ways, managing it as a loose beaurocracy. Each is headed by a chairman, who appoints a deputy and is overseen by a Secretary. All of their decisions must be approved by the corresponding secretary. They are the Departments of: Agriculture, Labor, Commerce, Heavy Industry, Light Industry, Chemicals and Machinary, Party Control, Party Adminstration, Party Policy, Interior, Education, International Affairs, Communist Liasons, Security, General Affairs, Science and Technology, Energy, and Transportation. Each department also has many divisions and committees as well.
Central Committee: The Central Committee is the highest organ of Party authority, though it has little power in reality. It conducts the duties of the Party Congress while it is not in session. The committee also handles the tasks of Party administration given to it by superiors. It has 300 members and 50 candidate members, all of whom who are elected by the Party Congress for a term of five years. It also reserves the right to rubberstamp Politburo appointments. The committee also has the privilege of directing the Supreme Soviet.
Party Congress: A congress of 4000 party delegates that are each appointed by their Oblast for a term of five years. The congress meets only every five years and acts as a rubber stamp at best. Its main powers include “approving” government planning and appointing the Central Committee; though in practice, it appoints Politburo approved members.
Oblast Level: The Party at Oblast levels is slightly simpler. At the base of its structure is a Party Conference, whose delegates are elected by the Party Buro for a term of five years. The Party Conference is the “highest Oblast level Party body” though in practice, its size ranges from anywhere from 1000 to 2000 members (depending on Party Population). The conference thus only meets every two years. Its official duties are delegated to the “Obkom”, a body of 100 members and 70 candidate members, which it elects from its own number. Obkoms act only as a technical body-as they are to large and unwieldy-with little power, and they intern elect a presiding “Buro” of 10 members and 7 candidate members to direct its activities and exercise the Oblast Party’s powers. Buros also elect the Secretariat of top specialists to preside over the Party apparatus. The First Secretary serves as chairman of both bodies, and leader of the Oblast Party.
At the base of the Party apparatus are the various departments that oversee each ministry and aspect of both the Party and government. Each is divided into scores of divisions and committees. The department chairmen answer only to the Secretariat itself.
City/District Level: The base of city or district Party level is dominated by the Party Conference, whose 500 members are elected for a term of five years by the various PPO’s. The conference meets only every two years, and it has little real powers, other than the position of a ‘rubberstamp’. The Party Conference elects the “Raikom”, a body of 50 members and 30 candidate members to hold the powers of the conference when it is not in session. The Raikom intern is too large and unwieldy, so it elects a Buro of 5 members and 3 candidate members to carry out its function. The Buro elects a Secretariat of specialists to administer the party apparatus. The head of this body, the First Secretary, chairs both bodies.
At the base of the Party apparatus are the various departments that oversee each ministry and aspect of both the Party and government. Each is divided into scores of divisions and committees. The department chairmen answer only to the Secretariat itself.
Primary Party Organization: Every factory, business, establishment, etc. including government ones, have a PPO, if they contain more than 3 members. The PPO's serve as KGB surveillance bodies (most have at least one KGB informer) and worker indoctrinating organs. They also serve as the lowest form of Party structure. It is headed by an elected secretary. However, PPO's also serve the added function of being used to exert Party control over all government bodies, as well. They also have the unique position of accepting or turning down all local Party applications
(Taken from my national website, at http://tharragov.freeservers.com/)
Government Overview
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Premier of the Council of Ministers: The Premier is appointed by the chairman of the Supreme Soviet's Presidium. He is the chairman of the council of Ministers and thus serves as the nation's head of government. However, the postion carries little power, and the Premier mainly concerns himself with economic policy and administration.
Presidium of the Council of Ministers: The standing body of the Council of Ministers, it directs the council's activities, and excercises its powers when it is not in session. It consists of the Premier, deputy premier, the KGB chairman, Procurator General, General Secretary, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, War, Finance, State Planning, Natural Resorces, and Foreign Trade. The Secretariat of the Party controls this body. All of its members hold their seats by virtue of position.
Council of Ministers: A council of the 51 heads of each ministry, it also consists of the a chairman (called the Premier), First Deputy Premier, and 12 Deputy Premiers. It meets frequently, however the council often delegates its duties to the induvidual ministries or its presidium. The council is controlled by the Secretariat as well, and because of this, it focuses mainly on economic affairs. Ministers are appointed by the Premier alone, on advise of the Secretariat.
Ministries: These are the lowest levels of government beaurocracy. However, ministries are allowed to pass some legeslation (with the consent of the Party, of course) that falls within their sphere. Each is controlled by a Party commission. Ministries themselves are staffed by thousands of induviduals and divided into numerous departments and divisions. There are 51 recognized government ministries, the Ministries of: Foreign Trade, Light Agriculture, Heavy Agriculture, Alternative Energy, Coal Industry, Oil Industry, Nuclear Energy, Military Industry, Light Industry, Heavy Industry, State Planning, Special Economic Affairs, Natural Resorces, Forestry, Industrial Labor, Agrarian Labor, Civil Labor, Heavy Technology, Light Technology, Light Machinary, Heavy Machinary, Military Machinary, Machine Building, General Transportation, Automotive Transportation, Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles, Civil Aviation, Military Aviation, Light Construction, Heavy Construction, Housing and Utilities, Social Devolpment, People’s Control, Culture, People’s Affairs, Health, Civil Science, Military Science, Scientific Development, Finance, Propoganda, State, Legal Affairs, Interior, Justice, Education, Foreign Affairs, War, KGB, and Party Affairs.
LEGESLATIVE BRANCH
Chairman of the Presidium: He is head of state and a symbol of the nation. However, the office usually is held by the General Secretary, and thus has much authority for a government post (though other holders of the office are quite powerless). The holder of this post is officially 'elected' by the Presidium, however, to rubberstamp an already made decision.
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: The Presidium presides over the Supreme Soviet and performs its tasks when it is not in session. It is the highest government body and it acts as the collective "head of state", though it is controlled by the Politburo in practice. There are 37 members: a chairman (who is head of state), a first deputy chairman, 15 deputy chairmen, the chairmen of each Supreme Soviet chamber, and 18 other members (9 from each chamber). It has the ability to excercise the full powers of the Supreme Soviet as well (which it nearly always does, acting as a chief legeslative body by default). Thus the body commonly rubberstamps Politburo decesions.
Defense Council: 5 member council (General Secretary, Ministers of War and Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the KGB, Premier, and a deputy chairman) that exists under the Presidium, who appoints it (with the approval of the Politburo of course). It is the superior of all military organizations, from the Red Army, to the Ministry of War, to the KGB. The chairman is regarded as Commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The council is always chaired by the General Secretary, by Party and national policy.
Supreme Soviet: The supreme organ of state power, it is controlled by the Central Committee of the Party. The soviet performs the task of rubberstamping the Party’s decisions and decrees. There are two equal chambers of 800 members each: the Soviet of the Nation and Soviet of the Union. Each chamber is also led by an elected chairman, and four of his appointed deputies, who head permanent committees. The members of the former chamber are elected by the Politburo for ten years each. The members of the latter chamber are elected by the Buros of each Oblast, on a basis of 25 delegates each, for a term of ten years as well. The body only meets once every six months. However, it delegates its tasks to the Presidium (which it elects, from candidates pre-decided by the Central Committee) when not in session.
Supreme Soviet Committees: Each chamber of the Supreme Soviet possess four permenant committees and six to nine semi-perminant committees. The committees oversee various parts of state administration and break up the work of the Supreme Soviet, allowing it to fuction smoothly. The committees are all overseen by the Secretariat, and allow the Party to keep a tight control over the Supreme Soviet. The committees are also charged with introducing legeslation, according to their sphere of influence. Each committee also has about 60 members, or so.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court: A basic state tribunal that is monopolized by the KGB and Procuracy. It has little authority, and operates under the Ministry of Justice. Usually it is used for political "show trials". It is presided over by the Procurator General, an appointed KGB officer, a chief justice, and six justices (the latter two being appointed by the Supreme Soviet). As with all courts, it may not interpret the law, only apply it.
Procurator General: He heads the Procuracy, and is even higher than the Minister of Justice, acting as an attorney general. As such the position is crucial to government operations, with its holder working closely with the KGB chairman. He is elected by the Supreme Soviet, and intern appoints every Procurator in the nation.
Procuracy: The nation's prosecuting system, which consists of various departments and offices led by the Procurator General. It works closely with the Ministry of Justice to investigate and prosecute crimes. Like the KGB, it usually has representation on both the Politburo and Council of Ministers. Every Oblast and City district has an appointed Procurator. The Procuracy's job itself, however, is to oversee the government, making sure it stays true to the doctrine of Stalinism.
LOWER GOVERNMENT LEVELS
Oblast Level
Oblast level government is, for the most part, nearly the same as national levels. At the base of the government structure sat the Ministries. These ministries were the same as their higher counterparts, with equally as many employees. The divisions and inner departments and offices are also as complex and divided. Party members can be appointed chairman of a ministry by the Executive Committee Chairman.
Oblast level legislative branch is led by the Oblast Soviet, a unicameral body of about 1000 delegates, elected by select city or district Buros for five years each. The soviet serves as a rubberstamp for pre-decided Party legislation concerning the oblast. It convenes once every three months only, with legislation proposed by Party controlled, impermanent committees, similar to their national counterparts. The soviet elects a "Central Executive Committee" from candidates pre decided by the Central Committee, to excercise its duties, and it intern elects an oblast chairman, to serve as head of state. The CEC is made up of 25 members, and serves as both the lead executive and legeslative body, as many leading heads of each ministry, as well as leading soviet delegates, make up its number.
Oblast judicial branches are made up of an Oblast Superior Court (made up of a procurator, KGB representative, and 3 justices), elected by the Oblast Soviet to rubberstamp the Party’s decision. There is also an appointed Oblast Procurator, and Procuracy support staff and central office.
City/District Level
City/District level government is supported by a huge base of government ministries, just like the Oblast governments. Each of these 60+ ministries is equally impressive in size, with numerous departments, divisions, and local offices. Heads of each of these ministries are appointed by the City or District chairman of the Executive Council. All of the above is subject to Party control, and even though the council and its organs are allowed to pass certain legislation concerning the local area, it is also subject to Party control.
Legislation consists of a unicameral “Soviet of the District/City”, whose numbers vary according to population; usually there are about 300 to 400 seats, however. It holds the authority to pass most legislation, though not without Party approval. The soviet is elected by the local PPO secretaries for a term of five years, and convenes every three months. Legislation is always introduced by impermanent committees, formed by the soviet itself. The Soviet of the District/City elects an "Executive Council", which holds power when the body is not in session. The EC, made up of 15 members, (and serves as both a body of leading ministers and soviet delegates) in turn elects its own chairman, with all of the above subject to Party control, via the local Buros and Raikoms.
Judicial level consists of several levels of courts. There is “District Superior Court”, “District Court”, and “Civil Court” for districts; and for cities, courts consist of “City Superior Court”, “City Court”, and “Civil Court”. Each of the above are made up of 3 justices, a procurator, and a KGB representative, to oversee the trial. There is also appointed procurator(s) for the district/city, and a large procuracy support staff and local office.
THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THARRA
General Secretary of the Communist Party: The General Secretary is the most powerful official in Tharra, and the supreme leader of the nation. He has no real restraints on his power either. By practice, he also is chairman of both the Presidium and Defense Council. The General Secretary is elected by the Politburo and serves for life. General Secretaries commonly develop a personality cult around themselves as well, which includes frequent praises and propoganda posters all around the nation ("the cult of the leader").
Secretariat: This body consists of the highest ranking members of the Politburo, as well as important Party members and officials of note. The General Secretary, a Second Secretary (basic second-in-command of the Party), 8 Secretaries, and 4 Candidate members number among its members. It focuses mainly on national and Party administration, overseeing the vast Party beaurocracy. Each of its secretaries oversees a sphere of influence that takes the main form of Party departments. They are the Secretaries of: Defense, State and Legal Affairs, Internal Affairs, Party Affairs, Agrarian Affairs, Economic Affairs, Heavy Industry, Light Industry, and Foreign Affairs. Its members are appointed by the General Secretary. The secretariat is also supported by a staff of several hundred for each secretary to help manage their tasks (this includes aids, deputies, secretaries, and rank-and-file members).
Politburo: Elite council that leads the Central Committee and directs the Party (to some extent). It consists of the General Secretary, 15 full members, and 8 candidate members. It drafts Party and national policy. Both it and the Secretariat are often, however, intertwined in function. Like the Secretariat, its members are appointed by the General Secretary, from Central Committee members. Because it directs the Party, the Politburo also directs the nation to some extent, holding most of the Party's perogative. However, it is still under the control of the General Secretary, who acts as its chairman.
Orgburo: A small, but important, committee that is appointed by the Secretariat to handle the distribution of Party members. It is also the de facto authority behind the Ministry of Party Affairs. Its 110 members are led by the Second Secretary and board of five deputies. All of its members are appointed by the Politburo. Oblasts also have Orgburos, as do districts. However, in cities, their position is filled by PPO's.
Central Auditing Committee: The central auditing committee has the task of overseeing Party finance. It is, however, a fully fledged department as well. There are 150 committee members, all of whom who are appointed by either the General Secretary or the Central Committee. Its chairman selects an inner committee to lead it of four or five high ranking members.
Party Control Committee: A committee of 125 members that is appointed by the Politburo to investigate violations of Party law and Stalinist values. The committee is basically controlled by the KGB in all but name. In fact, the committee’s leader is usually a KBG strong man.
Party Departments: Departments are made up of about 150 to 200 members each. They serve as bodies to parody government ministries, overseeing them in the same matter; the departments also oversee the Party in many ways, managing it as a loose beaurocracy. Each is headed by a chairman, who appoints a deputy and is overseen by a Secretary. All of their decisions must be approved by the corresponding secretary. They are the Departments of: Agriculture, Labor, Commerce, Heavy Industry, Light Industry, Chemicals and Machinary, Party Control, Party Adminstration, Party Policy, Interior, Education, International Affairs, Communist Liasons, Security, General Affairs, Science and Technology, Energy, and Transportation. Each department also has many divisions and committees as well.
Central Committee: The Central Committee is the highest organ of Party authority, though it has little power in reality. It conducts the duties of the Party Congress while it is not in session. The committee also handles the tasks of Party administration given to it by superiors. It has 300 members and 50 candidate members, all of whom who are elected by the Party Congress for a term of five years. It also reserves the right to rubberstamp Politburo appointments. The committee also has the privilege of directing the Supreme Soviet.
Party Congress: A congress of 4000 party delegates that are each appointed by their Oblast for a term of five years. The congress meets only every five years and acts as a rubber stamp at best. Its main powers include “approving” government planning and appointing the Central Committee; though in practice, it appoints Politburo approved members.
Oblast Level: The Party at Oblast levels is slightly simpler. At the base of its structure is a Party Conference, whose delegates are elected by the Party Buro for a term of five years. The Party Conference is the “highest Oblast level Party body” though in practice, its size ranges from anywhere from 1000 to 2000 members (depending on Party Population). The conference thus only meets every two years. Its official duties are delegated to the “Obkom”, a body of 100 members and 70 candidate members, which it elects from its own number. Obkoms act only as a technical body-as they are to large and unwieldy-with little power, and they intern elect a presiding “Buro” of 10 members and 7 candidate members to direct its activities and exercise the Oblast Party’s powers. Buros also elect the Secretariat of top specialists to preside over the Party apparatus. The First Secretary serves as chairman of both bodies, and leader of the Oblast Party.
At the base of the Party apparatus are the various departments that oversee each ministry and aspect of both the Party and government. Each is divided into scores of divisions and committees. The department chairmen answer only to the Secretariat itself.
City/District Level: The base of city or district Party level is dominated by the Party Conference, whose 500 members are elected for a term of five years by the various PPO’s. The conference meets only every two years, and it has little real powers, other than the position of a ‘rubberstamp’. The Party Conference elects the “Raikom”, a body of 50 members and 30 candidate members to hold the powers of the conference when it is not in session. The Raikom intern is too large and unwieldy, so it elects a Buro of 5 members and 3 candidate members to carry out its function. The Buro elects a Secretariat of specialists to administer the party apparatus. The head of this body, the First Secretary, chairs both bodies.
At the base of the Party apparatus are the various departments that oversee each ministry and aspect of both the Party and government. Each is divided into scores of divisions and committees. The department chairmen answer only to the Secretariat itself.
Primary Party Organization: Every factory, business, establishment, etc. including government ones, have a PPO, if they contain more than 3 members. The PPO's serve as KGB surveillance bodies (most have at least one KGB informer) and worker indoctrinating organs. They also serve as the lowest form of Party structure. It is headed by an elected secretary. However, PPO's also serve the added function of being used to exert Party control over all government bodies, as well. They also have the unique position of accepting or turning down all local Party applications