ABSTRACT
Leonid Brezhnev's redefinition of political participation was consistent with his advocacy of a stronger party in general. One of the most visible goals of his policy agenda was to revitalize the party to overcome what he viewed as the negative impact of Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev and deal with the increasingly complex tasks facing Soviet society. Before he could realize his goal of a strengthened party, Brezhnev, had to deal with the bloated, lax party organization he inherited from Khrushchev. Khrushchev's modifications to party policy were a lucrative target. Despite his attacks on Khrushchev's policies, Brezhnev wanted to preserve the de-Stalinization of the party begun by Khrushchev, and he emphasized this point soon after Khrushchev's removal from power. In the 1970s, the Brezhnevian themes of discipline, ideological training, and leadership continued to inform discussions on the party. The exchange of party cards was also an effective part of Brezhnev's longstanding campaign to improve discipline.
