ABSTRACT
The constitution approved at the party congress of Chalon-sur-Saone in 1906, a year after the various Socialist elements in France were united for the first time, laid the foundation of the Socialist party organization. The democratic spirit was evident throughout the organization. Discussion of important issues was encouraged on all party levels from the village section to the National Congress. As in any truly democratic organization, the rights of the minority were protected. According to Leon Blum, "Discipline is a normal state for a political party, and its unity should be strictly maintained against selfish defections inspired by personal interest, ambition, or other forms of temptation." The National Conflict Committee was composed of nine people, all of whom must have been party members for at least ten years. As pointed out by Charles Micaud in 1963, the basic party structure contained some essential weaknesses, especially when compared to the French Communist party structure.
