ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to describe quantitative and qualitative dimensions of participatory behavior among workers in Romania--a communist party state which has, since 1965, referred to itself as "socialist". It discusses the relationship between workers' participation in a communist party state and broader, comparative hypotheses. Romanian workers' are not without opinions about channels for their participation as well as assessments of their own efficacy. Nicolae Ceausescu's problem is exacerbated by relationships among developmental policies, workers' participatory expectations and "democratic centralism"--relationships crucial not only in Romania but in any centrally-planned economy ruled by one Leninist party. Workers are to fill "participant roles" in developed socialism; they are, collectively, to exercise decisionmaking authority in the economy and, implicit to a Marxist, the polity as well. A smaller proportion of workers than any other category of employment are motivated at their job by creating something of "social value".
