Editing Socialism with a human face (section)

== Action Programme ==
In April, Dubček launched an "'''Action Programme'''" of liberalizations, which included increasing [[freedom of the press]], [[freedom of speech]], and [[freedom of movement]], with economic emphasis on [[consumer goods]] and the possibility of a [[multiparty government]]. The programme was based on the view that "Socialism cannot mean only liberation of the working people from the domination of exploiting class relations, but must make more provisions for a fuller life of the personality than any bourgeois democracy."<ref>Ello (1968), pp. 32, 54</ref> It would limit the power of the secret police<ref>{{Cite web | last = Von Geldern | first = James | last2 = Siegelbaum | first2 = Lewis | publisher=Soviethistory.org| title = The Soviet-led Intervention in Czechoslovakia| url = http://soviethistory.org/index.php?action=L2&SubjectID=1968czechoslovakia&Year=1968| access-date =7 March 2008 }}</ref> and provide for the [[Constitutional Law of Federation|federalization]] of the ČSSR into two equal nations.<ref name="Auto">Hochman, Dubček (1993)</ref> The programme also covered foreign policy, including both the maintenance of good relations with Western countries and cooperation with the [[Soviet Union]] and other [[Eastern Bloc]] nations.<ref name="Library">{{Cite web |author=Navratil, Jaromir |translator=Kramer, Mark |translator2=Moss, Joy |translator3=Tosek, Ruth | title =Excerpts from the CPCz CC Action Program, April 1968 |website=Oracle ThinkQuest |url = http://library.thinkquest.org/C001155/documents/doc13.htm| access-date = 21 February 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080506101804/http://library.thinkquest.org/C001155/documents/doc13.htm| archive-date = 6 May 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref> It spoke of a ten-year transition through which democratic elections would be made possible and a new form of social democracy and democratic socialism would replace the status quo.<ref name="Postwar">Judt (2005), p. 441</ref>

Those who drafted the Action Programme were careful not to criticize the actions of the post-war Communist administration, only to point out policies that they felt had outlived their usefulness.<ref name="Doc"/> For instance, the immediate post-war situation had required "centralist and directive-administrative methods"<ref name="Doc"/> to fight against the "remnants of the [[bourgeoisie]]."<ref name="Doc"/> Since the "antagonistic classes"<ref name="Doc"/> were said to have been defeated with the achievement of socialism, these methods were no longer necessary. Reform was needed for the Czechoslovak economy to join the "scientific-technical revolution in the world",<ref name="Doc"/> rather than relying on Stalinist-era [[heavy industry]], labour power, and raw materials.<ref name="Doc">Ello (1968), pp. 7–9, 129–31</ref> Furthermore, since internal class conflict had been overcome, workers could now be duly rewarded for their qualifications and technical skills without contravening [[Marxism-Leninism]]. The Programme suggested it was now necessary to ensure important positions were "filled by capable, educated socialist expert cadres" in order to compete with capitalism.<ref name="Doc"/>