Editing Socialism with a human face (section)

== The programme of "socialism with a human face" ==
Although it was stipulated that reform must proceed under KSČ direction, popular pressure mounted to implement reforms immediately.<ref>{{Cite web| last = Derasadurain| first = Beatrice| title = Prague Spring| url = http://library.thinkquest.org/C001155/noframes/summary_spring.htm| access-date = 23 January 2008| publisher = thinkquest.org| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071114005849/http://library.thinkquest.org/C001155/noframes/summary_spring.htm| archive-date = 14 November 2007| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Radical elements became more vocal: anti-Soviet polemics appeared in the press on 26 June 1968,<ref name="Postwar"/> the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democrats]] began to form a separate party, and new unaffiliated political clubs were created. Party conservatives urged repressive measures, but Dubček counselled moderation and re-emphasized KSČ leadership.<ref>Kusin (2002), pp. 107–22</ref> At the Presidium of the [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia]] in April, Dubček announced a political programme of "socialism with a human face".<ref>{{Cite web | publisher=Library of Congress | url = http://www.country-studies.com/czech-republic/the-prague-spring,-1968.html | title = The Prague Spring, 1968 | year = 1985 | access-date =5 January 2008 }}</ref> In May, he announced that the Fourteenth Party Congress would convene in an early session on 9 September. The congress would incorporate the Action Programme into the party statutes, draft a federalization law, and elect a new Central Committee.<ref name="Williams 1997, p. 156">Williams (1997), p. 156</ref>

Dubček's reforms guaranteed freedom of the press, and political commentary was allowed for the first time in mainstream media.<ref name="KieranPress">Williams (1997), p. 164</ref> At the time of the Prague Spring, Czechoslovak exports were declining in competitiveness, and Dubček's reforms planned to solve these troubles by mixing [[planned economy|planned]] and [[market economy|market economies]]. Within the party, there were varying opinions on how this should proceed; certain economists wished for a more [[mixed economy]] while others wanted the economy to remain mostly planned. Dubček continued to stress the importance of economic reform proceeding under Communist Party rule.<ref>Williams (1997), pp. 18–22</ref>

On 27 June [[Ludvík Vaculík]], a leading author and journalist, published a manifesto titled ''[[The Two Thousand Words]]''. It expressed concern about conservative elements within the KSČ and so-called "foreign" forces. Vaculík called on the people to take the initiative in implementing the reform programme.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Vaculík| first = Ludvík| date = 27 June 1968| title = Two Thousand Words| publisher=Literární listy }}</ref> Dubček, the party Presidium, the National Front, and the cabinet denounced this manifesto.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Mastalir| first = Linda| title = Ludvík Vaculík: a Czechoslovak man of letters| publisher=Radio Prague| date = 25 July 2006| url = http://www.radio.cz/en/article/81466| access-date =23 January 2008 }}</ref>