The_Action_Programme_1968_Czechoslovakia

30 APRIL 1968 To The Committee of the Czechoslovak Communist party In regards to The Action Programme which has been drawn up by Comrade Kolder and colleagues, we the party should be justly optimistic. As the plan includes, the current political climate of Czechoslovakia is in great need of restructuring. The programme, as felt by the communist party, correctly identifies areas within our society and culture as requiring modification in order for the communist party to thrive not only in the socialist world but also in the wider world. According to the programme, alterations within our society need to be made in segments such as our economy and cultural ways of life. Firstly, our cultures and traditions must not be malformed but transformed and disciplined in keeping with the communist party’s goals and ideals. The suggestion that adjustment within our way of life must begin with the education of the young has been made, improving schooling to embrace our collective principles, which is the finest way to go about things as the minds of the youth have not yet been tarnished with diseased ideas and memories. But let the older generation not be forgotten, says the plan. Under the terms of the document, there is to be a “greater amount of candid information” to be available. The abolition of censorship will appeal to the non-party members as it allows a trust between the party and the people. Economic changes have also been proposed. Although economically Czechoslovakia will now be travelling at a slight tangent to the Stalinist model, in order to become a powerful industrial state we must open our doors to world trade as we do not currently posses the wealth needed to do this within our country. This may come as an unwelcome shock to those who believe in a totalitarian regime but it is felt that the Czech and Slovak people will greet this opportunity with open arms. On the other hand, some of the guarantees made regarding employment are somewhat implausible such as the “alleviation of extremely tiring jobs” . Although a joint state run trade union could definitely improve conditions for the workers in unyielding trades, hard work will be necessary for our country to prosper. Changes within the communist party’s policies themselves have also been alluded to within the action programme. In regards to foreign strategy, Czechoslovakia must be open to the idea of ‘socialising’ with countries out with the socialist block as part of the new non-totalitarian regime. This idea also may not lie well with Stalin loyalists and perhaps some of the older citizens of our nation who were brought up with the notion that the western ways are evil and communism is the only way in which to live a content and complete life. There will also be a democratic-like freedom of thought discharged on to the people of Czechoslovakia. This is in no way a hint that we are falling towards the ways of the west, but again to restore the people’s faith in us and our faith in them. Political arrests and trials are behind us and the populace have no need to fear their protector, the KSC. Another way in which we can do this, as outlined in the plan, is by establishing complete equality between Czechs and Slovaks. This will strengthen our country further as we are as strong as we are unified. Both people must accept that both are equal and no one region’s requirements will be taken above the other. This idea also protects the communist party’s interests as Slovak equality would secure the communists votes in that section of the state. However, this may not be altogether applicable considering past hardships and disputes. Those within the party will know that unity is vital in moving forward but the general population find it as easy to overlook the mistakes of years gone by. The action programme, it is felt, will be widely accepted with enthusiasm by both party members and non-party members. It allows us to keep all of our most important communist ideals and ways of life while enhancing our lives by developing out nation with suggestions such as trade with other countries and better working conditions and by removing the distrust between party and people due to the old communist way. Bibliography Hope dies last: the autobiography of Alexander Dubcek (1993) J. Hochman Reference sheet Czechoslovakia in transition Sharon l. Wolchick Pinter publishers Ltd 1991 The Prague spring and its aftermath Kieran Williams Cambridge university press 1997 The communist subversion of Czechoslovakia Josef korbel Princeton university press