Cooperation of public organizations of socialist countries. Kyiv. Наукова думка. 1983. 270 p.

Mass social organizations of working people play an important role in activating and further strengthening the comprehensive political, economic and cultural ties that the socialist countries maintain among themselves. The practice of their activities, the main forms and directions of mutually beneficial cooperation-these and other problems attract close attention of researchers .1 But, unfortunately, until recently there was no generalizing work devoted to the analysis of the topic under consideration. This gap is filled by a collective monograph prepared by the staff of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR2 and is the result of many years of scientific research of its scientists engaged in the study of this topic 3 .

1 A new type of international relations. The history and practice of development of world system of socialism. M. 1978; Socialist internationalism: theory and practice of international relations of a new type. M. 1979; Issues of development of the world socialist system. M. 1983; Sukharev Vladimir vanguard of world socialism. International cooperation of Communist and workers ' parties of the Socialist Commonwealth countries. Kiev, 1982.

2 Authors: I. N. Melnikova, P. P. Britsky, S. V. Vidnyansky, M. V. Znamenskaya, T. V. Klinchenko, I. M. Kulinich, V. U. Pavelko, V. V. Pavlenko. Editorial Board: I. N. Melnikova (Executive editor), I. M. Kulinich, V. V. Pavlenko (Executive Secretary), P. S. Sohan.

3 На магiстралях дружби i братерства. Участь Украïськоï РСР у спiвробiтництвi Радянського Союзу з европейськими соцiа-

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The researchers clearly outlined the chronological framework of their problem - the 70s, i.e. the period when social , political and cultural ties between the countries of socialism received a new impetus. Such historical "timing" seems necessary, because at that time these relations acquired a new quality, became multidimensional, and tended to further and comprehensively converge.

The authors consider a complex set of problems of cooperation between public organizations of the socialist commonwealth countries in all spheres of socio-political life. It is this perspective of research that is original, allowing us to consider the topic in its entirety. The authors focus on issues of international cooperation of the most widespread organizations of workers: trade unions, youth and women's organizations, societies of friendship and cultural relations, as well as creative unions of fraternal countries of socialism.

The book is characterized by a well-thought-out, logical structure: a separate chapter is devoted to the analysis of the activities of each type of mass workers ' organizations. The monograph also has the advantage of using a wide range of documentary sources. Along with the press materials, archival documents of a number of repositories of the Soviet Union and socialist countries were used. A significant part of these documents is being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. A solid documentary base contributed to the fact that the authors managed to create a fundamental study.

Chapter one is of great importance for the problem statement, in which the social and political activity of the masses is considered as one of the most important factors in the development of relations between the countries of the socialist community. This chapter is also important in methodological terms. The author rightly and naturally connects the process of socio-economic transformations taking place in the states of the world socialist system with the increasing socio - political activity of the broad masses of working people. Their participation in international socialist cooperation also contributes significantly to this. The chapter concludes that "the growing role of the public in the sphere of socialist international relations, which is characteristic of the present stage, manifests itself in one of the main trends of socialist democracy - the increasingly active participation of the masses in the management of the state and public affairs" (p.17). The author emphasizes the importance and influence of mass organizations of workers, which unite millions of people, on all spheres of society's life. This is also reflected in the legislation of the socialist countries (see p. 23).

Other sections of the monograph are also of equal interest. In chapter two, the complex of relations between the trade unions of the countries of the socialist community is considered in detail. Here we give a clear description of the various forms of international relations of these most popular workers ' organizations, analyze the issues of holding multilateral meetings, organizing scientific and practical conferences, symposiums, etc. All these problems are considered from the point of view of those changes (both quantitative and qualitative) that occurred during the study period. This approach seems very constructive.

The authors of other sections covered various issues of functioning and cooperation of youth unions, women's organizations, Soviet friendship societies and corresponding associations of friendship with the USSR, which are active in the countries of socialism, as well as creative unions. The book clearly traces the following general pattern: the contacts that the above-mentioned organizations of workers maintain among themselves are multi-faceted, long-term and diverse. The current stage of their relations requires new forms of cooperation and cooperation in all spheres of public life. The urgent demand of the time, as it is emphasized in relation to the youth unions of socialist countries, is the transition "to long-term planning of cooperation, which is based on a bilateral basis"

listichnymi krainy (1966-1970 pp.). Kit. 1974; Akin to socialist internationalism. Friendly relations and cooperation between related regions and cities of the Ukrainian SSR and fraternal countries of socialism. Kiev, 1980; Kulinich I., M. The highway of fraternal cooperation. Kiev, 1980; Strengthening fraternal friendship and cooperation among the countries of the Socialist Commonwealth. Kiev, 1981.

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(p. 102). This conclusion is also true for other mass workers ' organizations.

At the current stage of development of relations between the socialist countries, youth unions play a prominent role in the multifaceted cooperation. The book discusses and analyzes in some depth the main forms and types of contacts that they maintain among themselves. It is important to note that the study examines not only traditional cultural, but also socio-political ties. Quite rightly, the issue of labor cooperation (both at the level of entire organizations and individual construction teams) is singled out among others, which continues to strengthen. Unfortunately, sports relations of the youth unions of socialist countries are indicated only by a stroke, without the corresponding "factual" content (p. 131). The authors pay due attention to the activities of women's organizations in the socialist countries and emphasize the importance of their multilateral cooperation. A brief description of the main types of these organizations is given, and such forms of their cooperation as annual meetings, seminars, and participation in the elimination of illiteracy among women in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are considered.

Every year the role of Soviet friendship societies and cultural relations with similar organizations of friendship with the USSR, which successfully operate in socialist countries, increases. They are among the most popular organizations. As the authors note, the common feature that characterizes their activities is the involvement of broad circles of the public, representing all social strata of the population of fraternal countries, in the movement of cooperation. For example, the Hungarian-Soviet Friendship Society builds its work on the basis of collective membership of enterprises, institutions and schools that now unite about 3 million workers (p. 158). The chapter on the activities of friendship societies should be placed immediately after chapter two. The fact is that these societies carry out a significant amount of work and take an active part in the life of socialist countries. The complex of problems and tasks facing these mass organizations is very complex and multifaceted. Therefore, the rearrangement of chapters would make it possible to more clearly highlight the role and importance of friendship societies in improving cooperation between socialist countries.

Cultural ties also play a prominent role in this process. They are implemented primarily through creative unions - journalists, writers, composers, architects, artists, cinematographers, and theater societies. The authors drew on interesting factual material and archival documents (for example, from the archives of the Union of Cinematographers of the USSR, the WTO, etc.). This allowed them to clearly illustrate the main trends and various forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation of creative organizations of the fraternal countries of socialism: coordination meetings, joint meetings of the board secretariats, symposiums, joint trips and business trips, exchange of delegations, participation in days of culture, art, literature. At the same time, the authors paid attention to the work of each of the creative organizations, showing their characteristic features.

The final chapter analyzes the problem of the struggle of the public of the countries of the socialist community for the consolidation of peace and friendship between peoples. Its relevance and political sound are undeniable - after all, today there is nothing more important than to fight for the preservation of peace on the planet, against the aggressive Alans of imperialism. The author of the section emphasized the special importance of cooperation between peace-loving forces at the present stage. And his conclusion that the activities of peace advocates "are increasingly international in nature" (p.249) seems to us quite significant and convincing.

Among the various forms of cooperation between the public of socialist countries in the struggle for the preservation of peace, against the arms race and war, the researcher examines in detail regular meetings, consultations of peace supporters, the work of local peace committees, as well as veterans ' and anti-fascist organizations (for example, the Soviet Committee of War Veterans, etc.).

Unfortunately, he devoted much less space to the question of interaction between the progressive organizations of capitalist countries and the corresponding committees operating in the countries of socialism. It would be possible to describe in more detail the activities of the Peace Foundation and similar organizations.

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solidarity funds that clearly demonstrate the will and aspirations of workers around the world.

Unfortunately, the book does not contain a historiographical review of the literature on the problem under consideration. In some places, the presentation is saturated with factual material (see pp. 157-158, 199), which is not always supported by theoretical generalizations. In addition, it would be useful to provide brief conclusions on each issue at the end of each chapter. The book focuses on the positive aspects of cooperation between public organizations of socialist countries. But I shouldn't have stopped there. It would also be possible to show the difficulties encountered in improving this cooperation. Then the analysis of this process would become even more comprehensive.

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