Soviet republic (system of government)
Encyclopedia
A Soviet Republic is a system of government in which the whole state power belongs to the Soviet
s (councils of employees). Although the term is usually associated with communist state
s, it was not initially intended to represent only one political force, but merely a form of democracy
and representation.
In the classic Soviet Republic all power belongs to the hierarchy of Councils (Soviets), with the Supreme Council
on the top. This means the Supreme Council has the authority to alter the constitution, resolve trials, sentence people, change the government, confiscate property, reform language and appoint any official by simple majority. Decisions of the councils are not required to be ratified or undersigned by any other body or person. In practice the councils do not normally execute all these powers, but rather institute bodies to perform their work.
Each council is headed by a Presidium
, which serves as a collective head of the entity. The chairman of the Supreme Council performs the ceremonial duties of the Head of State
. State awards are usually awarded by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council or a lower level council. Each Council has a number of committees, including the Executive Committee, which serves executive functions of the Council and even as a local administration.
Soviet (council)
Soviet was a name used for several Russian political organizations. Examples include the Czar's Council of Ministers, which was called the “Soviet of Ministers”; a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia; and the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union....
s (councils of employees). Although the term is usually associated with communist state
Communist state
A communist state is a state with a form of government characterized by single-party rule or dominant-party rule of a communist party and a professed allegiance to a Leninist or Marxist-Leninist communist ideology as the guiding principle of the state...
s, it was not initially intended to represent only one political force, but merely a form of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and representation.
In the classic Soviet Republic all power belongs to the hierarchy of Councils (Soviets), with the Supreme Council
Supreme Council
Supreme Council may refer to:In culture:* Supreme Council of Antiquities, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture* Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, an umbrella organisation in Greece established in 1997In Freemasonry:...
on the top. This means the Supreme Council has the authority to alter the constitution, resolve trials, sentence people, change the government, confiscate property, reform language and appoint any official by simple majority. Decisions of the councils are not required to be ratified or undersigned by any other body or person. In practice the councils do not normally execute all these powers, but rather institute bodies to perform their work.
Each council is headed by a Presidium
Presidium
The presidium or praesidium is the name for the heading organ of various legislative and organizational bodies.-Historical usage:...
, which serves as a collective head of the entity. The chairman of the Supreme Council performs the ceremonial duties of the Head of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. State awards are usually awarded by a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council or a lower level council. Each Council has a number of committees, including the Executive Committee, which serves executive functions of the Council and even as a local administration.
See also
- Soviet democracy
- Parliamentary systemParliamentary systemA parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....