Sovnarkom at Work

Abstract

Table 3.1 shows the number of meetings of Sovnarkom and of the Politburo, Orgburo and Central Committee Secretariat held annually during the Molotov era. For a comparison with Sovnarkom in the 1920s G. P. Van den Berg’s estimates for the 1920s are included, the likely accuracy of which can be confirmed by comparing his estimates for the 1930s. In general, like party bodies, the number of Sovnarkom meetings held each year decreased steadily after 1930, but the decline began later and was more gradual. In addition, it is noticeable that apart from the Orgburo, the number of Sovnarkom meetings always remained at a higher level. If Sovnarkom, unlike party bodies, did not issue protokoly without meetings being held, Table 3.2 shows that the decline in the number of plenary meetings did not mean a decline in the number of decrees issued, but that more business was carried on outside plenary meetings.