The first constitutional acts of the Soviet state: the stages of transition from revolutionary democracy to party bureaucracy

Abstract

The article examines the stages of the establishment of Soviet statehood in 1917 - 1918, studies the norms and institutions of the first constitutional acts of Soviet power that form the basis of democracy. At the same time, an attempt was made to identify, on this background, the construction of the Republic of Soviets the development of a mechanism for the transfer of power from the people to the state, and in the state to the Bolshevik party that monopolized the executive and legislative power in the country. The focus is on the activities of the II and III All-Russian Congresses of the Soviets, the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1918. The II Congress of Soviets only actually established a new form of government - the Republic of Soviets (before the Constituent Assembly was convened). During the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in the country, a coup d’etat took place. The Third Congress of Soviets has already enshrined in law the Republic of Soviets - as a form of government, and a federation of national republics - as a form of government. The Constitution of the RSFSR of 1918 finally determined the organization of power in the center and in the provinces. The article examines not only the legislative formation, but also the activities of the central state bodies of the country (the Congress of Soviets, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the Council of People’s Commissars), local governments, and increased control over the Soviet system of party organs.