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C00002 00002	soviet[s88,jmc]		Soviet dependence on Western opinion
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soviet[s88,jmc]		Soviet dependence on Western opinion

	Ever since Stalin died in 1953 Western writing about the Soviet
Union has had great importance within the Soviet Union.  People in every
country have some interest in foreign opinion of their country, but the
Soviet Union (and perhaps also China) is special.  The reason is that {\it
democratic centralism} prevents the free publication of opinions contrary
to the current party line --- apparently even with restricted circulation.
There apparently do not exist journals of opinion of restricted
circulation in the Soviet Union.  However, there do exist the restriced
versions of TASS, the so-called, green, white and red TASSes.

	Even high officials are afraid to publicly differ with the current
line, because they fear losing their positions.  Moreover, losing a
Government position is ordinarily a personal disaster in the Soviet Union,
unlike in the U.S., where there is a constant circulation of people among
Government, industry, law firms, lobbying firms, think tanks and
universities.

	Consequently, much foreign writing about the Soviet Union is
translated and circulated in restricted editions.  Pointing to foreign
comment allows officials to advance ideas without taking personal
responsibility for them.