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Soviet Union [USSR] Policy Making
The formulation of scientific and technological policy in 1989
was centered in the highest CPSU components, the Politburo and the
Secretariat
(see Soviet Union USSR - Politburo;
Soviet Union USSR - Secretariat
, ch. 7). As the party's top
decision-making body, the Politburo defined priorities and the
broad policies needed to meet them. Its decisions were reflected in
policy deliberations and in decrees issued by the Council of
Ministers. Day-to-day decisions on science and technology matters
were the responsibility of the Secretariat, the party's chief
executive body.
Despite their responsibilities, individual members of the
Politburo and the Secretariat did not have the scientific and
technical expertise needed to make policy decisions without
assistance. They relied on experts working in subordinate party
organs and in the governmental apparatus. The Science and Education
Institutions Department was the key technical unit within the CPSU
Central Committee. It functioned as a high-level advisory staff to
the Politburo and as an overseer of policy implementation. The
department also was responsible for monitoring the work of the
Academy of Sciences and of education institutions. Other Central
Committee departments contributed to policy making for their
particular branches.
Advice also was provided by personnel working in GKNT, the
Academy of Sciences, and the Council of Ministers. In addition,
party authorities relied on advice from special commissions
composed of leading scientists and technical experts. These
commissions, created by the Council of Ministers, have advised on
particularly important science and technology policy matters
affecting key sectors of the economy.
Data as of May 1989
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