Book: The Soviet Constitution

Introduction
"The Soviet Constitution" is a book composed in 1936 by Anna Louise Strong, an American reporter and political activist. The book supplies an account of the Soviet Union's constitutional developments in the very first twenty years of its presence, culminating with the adoption of the 1936 Soviet Constitution, also referred to as the Stalin Constitution. The author offers an insightful viewpoint on the Soviet political system, its directing concepts, and an extensive analysis of the constitution's posts.

Historical Context
The 1936 Soviet Constitution is the 2nd constitution in the history of the Soviet Union. The very first Soviet Constitution was embraced in 1924, right away after the development of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, it did not resolve lots of new social, political, and financial problems that arose throughout the early years of the Soviet state. The fast industrialization, collectivization of farming, and the transformation of the Soviet Union into a socialist society demanded a new legal structure that would show these modifications.

Strong provides a quick historic background explaining the need of the brand-new constitution. The very first chapters describe the hard period of war communism, the New Economic Policy (NEP), and the gradual procedure of producing a socialist society. Strong mentions that the previous constitution was planned as a temporary document for a transitional phase, whereas the Stalin Constitution was created to embrace a varied society based on socialist principles.

Concepts and Rights
The book presents a comprehensive summary of the main principles that assisted the authors of the 1936 Soviet Constitution. The constitution preserved the "goal toward communism" as the leading principle and acknowledged the leading function of the Communist Party in the advancement of socialism.

The constitution also expands on the concept of rights for people and collective groups. The book highlights a few of the most significant arrangements of the Stalin Constitution, which include the right to work, rest, education, health care, and social security. Additionally, the constitution guarantees flexibility of speech, press, assembly, and the inviolability of the individual's dwelling. The author stresses the value of social rights in the Soviet Union, contrasting them with the absence of such rights in capitalist nations.

Federal Structure and Electoral System
Among the key features of the 1936 Soviet Constitution is the reorganization of the Soviet Union's federal structure. The brand-new constitution eliminated the previous department based on nationality and moved towards a basis of territoriality. Strong describes how the previous system permitted nationwide discrimination and conflicts, and how the brand-new territorial department intended to promote unity amongst the varied nationalities.

The Stalin Constitution also introduced a new system of representation and electoral procedures. Strong describes the electoral system as really democratic, in contrast to the claims of Soviet critics at the time. The brand-new system assigned equivalent weight to votes from employees, peasants, and other social strata. Notably, the ballot age was reduced to 18 for both men and women, showing the Soviet Union's commitment to gender equality.

Judiciary and Administration
The 1936 Soviet Constitution brought substantial changes to the administration of justice. Strong highlights the shift from a class-based method to a universal one, where judges were chosen instead of being nominated by the Communist Party. Jury trials were also presented as a considerable reform in the judicial system.

Finally, the new constitution also enhanced the organization of state administration bodies. It presented the separation of legal, executive, and judicial powers, ensuring a better system of checks and balances.

Conclusion
Anna Louise Strong's "The Soviet Constitution" offers a detailed analysis of the 1936 Soviet Constitution, highlighting its essential principles, rights, and institutional changes. This well-written and helpful book provides an important account of the constitutional advancements in the Soviet Union throughout a critical stage of its history. By providing a well balanced and detailed analysis, Strong's work remains a valuable source of details for anybody interested in the legal structures of the Soviet state and its commitment to socialism.