ABSTRACT
The local government system in the USSR is an important part of the great bureaucracy (including such nongovernmental organizations as the trade unions, the Komsomol and the Communist Party) running the country. The duties of the local soviets (councils) are quite comprehensive, including the supervision of the economic plan in their area; the direction of industrial and agricultural development; direct control over a large number of industrial, construction and trading establishments; responsibilities for the housing, cultural welfare, health and amenities of workers of industrial establishments in their territory; control over health, education and other social services; responsibility for water supply, roads, bridges, transport, and so on. The chapters in this book by Lewis, Cattell and Morton examine in detail some of these numerous tasks of local soviets.
