Library:Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1977)

Constitution

(Fundamental Law)

of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

The Great October Socialist Revolution, accomplished by the workers and peasants of Russia under the leadership of the Communist Party headed by V.I Lenin, overthrew the rule of capitalists and nobility, smashed the shackles of oppression, established the dictatorship of the proletariat, and created the council state — a new type of state, the basic instrument for defending the revolution's gains, and for constructing socialism and communism. Humanity thus began the globally historic turn from capitalism to socialism.

After achieving victory in the civil war and repelling imperialist intervention, the Soviet authority implemented profound social and economic transformations, and put an end once and for all to exploitation of man by man, to class antagonisms, and animosity between nationalities. The union of the council republics in the Soviet Union increased the powers and opportunities of the peoples of the country in the construction of socialism. Social ownership of the means of production and genuine democracy for the working masses were asserted. For the first time in history of humanity, a socialist society was created.

The brilliant strength of socialism was demonstrated by the immortal feats of the Soviet people and their Armed Forces in achieving the historical victory in the Great Patriotic War. This victory strengthened the prestige and international position of the USSR and revealed new favorable opportunities for the growth of socialism, national liberation, democracy and peace across the whole world.

Continuing their constructive work, the workers of the Soviet Union have ensured the rapid and all-round progress of the country and the improvement of the socialist system. They have strengthened the alliance of the working class, the collective-farm of peasantry and people's intelligentsia, and friendship of the nations and nationalities of the USSR. The socio-political and ideological unity of Soviet society, in which the working class is the leading force, has developed. The aims of the dictatorship of the proletariat having been achieved, the Soviet state has become a state of the whole people. The leading role of the Communist Party— the vanguard of all the people, has grown.

In the USSR, a developed socialist society has been built. At this stage, when socialism is developing on its own foundation, the constructive forces of the new system and the advantages of the socialist way of life have been revealed, and the workers are more extensively enjoying the fruits of their great revolutionary gains.

It is a society in which powerful productive forces and progressive science and culture has been established, in which the well-being of the people is constantly improving, and more extensively favorable conditions for the all-round development of the individual have arisen.

It is a society of mature socialist social relations, in which, on the basis of the convergence of all classes and social strata and of the juridical and factual equality of all its nations and nationalities and their fraternal cooperation, a new historic community of people— the Soviet people.