No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 2024
The USSR can survive without the rule of law which characterizes most western democracies, because the force of Soviet law lies in individuals, rather than codified regulations. The iuriskonsult (legal advisor), who personalizes legal authority, increases the stability of the system and provides tangible benefits for the economic and social order. Many Soviet citizens find solutions to their legal problems as a result of the iuriskonsult's assistance, and this convinces them of the justness of the Soviet system. Iuriskonsulty can increase the economic efficiency of an organization, provide financial gains for workers, and improve the quality of labor relations. The impact of the lawyer on his organization is determined by the latitude accorded him by his manager.
The author wishes to thank Professors John Hazard and Marc Raeff for their helpful comments, as well as two anonymous reviewers and my research assistant, Edward Peterson. The research for this article was supported by the National Council for Soviet and Eastern European Research.