Action Programme (1968)
Encyclopedia
The Action Programme is a political plan, devised by Alexander Dubček
and his associates in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
(KSČ), that was published on April 5, 1968. The program suggested that the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
(ČSSR) find its own path towards mature socialism
rather than follow the Soviet Union
. AP called for the acknowledgment of individual liberties, the introduction of political and economic reforms, and a change in the structure of the nation. In many ways, the document was the basis for Prague Spring
and prompted the ensuing Warsaw Pact
invasion of the ČSSR in August, 1968.
, movement
(which included the right to travel to western countries), debate and association
as well as an end to arbitrary arrests. Security organizations would be held accountable to parliament and the courts were to have a larger, more prominent role, although they would not be completely independent.
and the ČSSR and the withdrawal of the remaining Soviet economic advisors.
, the programme admitted that the existing asymmetrical system was unfair, and proposed federalisation
between Slovakia and the Czech lands. The Slovak national council and the Slovak council of ministries would serve as the executive authority in Bratislava
. To enjoy the full benefit from the federalization; however, Slovakia would have to drastically catch up economically to the industrialized Czech lands.
was to be restructured and lower party organizations should have more say and influence on decision making, but party discipline was to remain.
and the enforcement of a cut in arms deliveries to Egypt
and Nigeria
.
Alexander Dubcek
Alexander Dubček , also known as Dikita, was a Slovak politician and briefly leader of Czechoslovakia , famous for his attempt to reform the communist regime during the Prague Spring...
and his associates in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, in Czech and in Slovak: Komunistická strana Československa was a Communist and Marxist-Leninist political party in Czechoslovakia that existed between 1921 and 1992....
(KSČ), that was published on April 5, 1968. The program suggested that the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic was the official name of Czechoslovakia from 1960 until end of 1989 , a Soviet satellite state of the Eastern Bloc....
(ČSSR) find its own path towards mature socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
rather than follow the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. AP called for the acknowledgment of individual liberties, the introduction of political and economic reforms, and a change in the structure of the nation. In many ways, the document was the basis for Prague Spring
Prague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
and prompted the ensuing Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
invasion of the ČSSR in August, 1968.
Individual liberties
With regards to individual liberties, the programme promised complete freedom of speechFreedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
(which included the right to travel to western countries), debate and association
Freedom of association
Freedom of association is the individual right to come together with other individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests....
as well as an end to arbitrary arrests. Security organizations would be held accountable to parliament and the courts were to have a larger, more prominent role, although they would not be completely independent.
Economic changes
Economically, AP suggested that the government be confined to general economic policy and to protect the consumers' rather than the producers' interests. Therefore, there was a much greater freedom for the industrial enterprises in finding markets. Also, there was an effort to have an equality in economic relations between the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the ČSSR and the withdrawal of the remaining Soviet economic advisors.
Federal structure
With respect to SlovakiaSlovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, the programme admitted that the existing asymmetrical system was unfair, and proposed federalisation
Constitutional Law of Federation
The Constitutional Law of Federation was a constitutional law in Czechoslovakia adopted on 27 October 1968 and in force from 1969 – 1992, by which the unitary Czechoslovak state was turned into a federation.-Federation:...
between Slovakia and the Czech lands. The Slovak national council and the Slovak council of ministries would serve as the executive authority in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
. To enjoy the full benefit from the federalization; however, Slovakia would have to drastically catch up economically to the industrialized Czech lands.
The End of Democratic Centralism
In this time, the party organization was under a considerable amount of pressure for immediate change. The programme admitted to these ideas but insisted that decisions were binding, in that democratic centralismDemocratic centralism
Democratic centralism is the name given to the principles of internal organization used by Leninist political parties, and the term is sometimes used as a synonym for any Leninist policy inside a political party...
was to be restructured and lower party organizations should have more say and influence on decision making, but party discipline was to remain.
Foreign relations
In foreign relations, the programme called for recognition of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the enforcement of a cut in arms deliveries to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.