What are the principles of democratic centralism?

The principle of democratic centralism is one of the important principles in the organization and operation of our State apparatus and the charter of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Article 8 of the 2013 Constitution states:

"1. The State is organized and operates according to the Constitution and the law, managing society by the Constitution and the law, and implementing the principle of democratic centralism.

2. State agencies, officials, and public employees must respect the People, be dedicated to serving the People, maintain close contact with the People, listen to their opinions, and be under the supervision of the People; resolutely fight against corruption, waste, and all manifestations of bureaucracy, arrogance, and authoritarianism.”

On the whole aspect of the State apparatus, the principle of democratic centralism is reflected in the basic contents such as:

- All state agencies must have a strong and unified central authority, each state agency having certain functions, tasks, and powers. In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, state power is unified, with clear task assignments and coordination among state agencies in executing legislative, executive, and judicial powers;- Our State is a socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people, and for the people. State power agencies such as the National Assembly and the People's Councils at all levels must be elected by the people following four principles: universal, equal, direct, and secret ballot based on democracy. Elected representatives who exercise state power on behalf of the people must maintain close contact with the people, voice the people's opinions and aspirations, and be under strict supervision by the people. If an elected representative no longer has the people's trust, they may be dismissed;- The National Assembly has the right to decide important matters of the country as prescribed by the Constitution and the law, but for the most important matters, it must seek the people's opinion or be directly decided by the people through referendums. Locally, important local matters should be facilitated for the people to discuss, contribute ideas, or make direct decisions;- Based on the legal regulations concerning their duties, powers, and considering the local characteristics, situations, and reasonable interests (and subordinates), central state agencies (and higher levels) have the right to decide for the local (and subordinate) levels. Local (and subordinate) state agencies have the right to be proactive and creative in executing the decisions of central (and higher) state agencies or matters within their authority, in line with the specific characteristics of their localities or units, but must not contradict central (and higher levels) regulations;- In the operation of state agencies, it is necessary to distinguish matters within the collective authority from those under the authority of the head. Issues under collective authority are subject to majority rule, but the minority has the right to retain their opinions, and the majority should consider the minority's views to review the correctness of their decisions. Personal decisions under individual authority must be personally accountable;

... .

According to the Charter of the Communist Party of Vietnam, ensuring the principle of democratic centralism is vital for the Party in the current period. Specifically:

1. The leadership bodies at all levels of the Communist Party are established through elections and perform collective leadership and individual responsibility;
2. The highest leadership body of the Communist Party is the National Congress of Delegates. The leadership body at each level is the congress of delegates or the congress of party members. Between the two congresses, the leadership body of the Communist Party is the Central Committee; at each level, it is the executive committee of the party committee or cell (collectively referred to as the party committee);
3. Party committees at all levels report and are responsible for their activities to the congress at their level and to higher and lower levels; they periodically inform their operational activities to the subordinate party organizations, conducting self-criticism and criticism;
4. Party organizations and party members must adhere to the resolutions of the Communist Party. The minority obeys the majority, the subordinate obeys the superior, the individual obeys the organization, and all organizations within the Communist Party obey the National Congress of Delegates and the Central Committee;
5. Resolutions of the leadership bodies of the Communist Party are enforceable only when more than half of the members of the body agree. Before voting, each member has the right to express their opinion. Party members with minority views have the right to retain their opinions and report them to the higher-level party committee up to the National Congress of Delegates, but must strictly comply with the resolution and not propagate views contrary to the Communist Party's resolution. The authoritative party committee reviews and considers such opinions without discriminating against members holding minority opinions;
6. Party organizations decide on matters within their scope of authority but must not oppose the principles, guidelines, policies of the Communist Party, state laws, and resolutions of higher levels.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE