1987. Különkiadvány, 1987.10.01 / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
halted. Reform hae lost its credibility: everything is being reformed since 1979, yet nothing has changed, except our living conditions are becoming ever vorse. And a sense of tbe pover structure's resistance: regardless of vhat "ve" consider good, "they" do vhat they like. The pessimism can be overcome as long as hope is nőt extinguished. Dumping the old leadership might permit distinguishing betveen reform and mere tinkering vith reform. Bút vhat can be done to overcome the pover structure's resistance? Indeed, the régimé is designed to isolate, disarm and punish any demand from belov. Bút note that the sy6tem does nőt function the Bame vay in a crisis as it does under normál conditions. The vavering and divided leadership, and the uneasy apparatuses are unable to sveep aside every initiative. Any fórum vili do vhere those belov can have their say. The briefing sessions that deputies of the National Assembly or council members hold fór their constituents are good fór this purpose. Programs sponsored by the Patriotic People's Front or the TIT [Society fór the Dissemination of Scientific Knovledge], as véli as the clubs, political seminars, and open party meetings are good. Bút best of all are the public forums at vork: the production conference, the shop meeting, and the meetings of the trade-union, KISZ and party locals. Invite the country's leaders to the factories and institutions. Bombard the headquarters of the political and voluntary public organizations vith resolutions pút intő vriting. Respond to the announcements of the Central Committee, the SZOT [National Council of Trade Dnions], and the government [executive branch]. Demand that the materials of the reform debates be made available. Invite the authors. Adopt standpoints on their proposals. Elaborate concepts regarding tbe future of your vorkplace. And organize reform clubs at vork. We have our elected representatives, and it is their duty to represent u6. If the trade-union secretary fails to stand up fór the membership's interests, or if the KISZ or party secretary comes intő conflict vith hÍ6 constituents, he can be recalled. Let these elected officials feel that nov they are more dependent on those belov. Note that the prospects of organizing cooperation have improved. People cannot be intimidated or dissuaded as readily as before. And if conquest of the official framevork fails, it can be exceeded. The scope fór civil disobedience has broadened in recent years. Consider 6uch examples as the mas6 protest against paying TEHO [settlement development contribution]. Or the shop-level strikes that ended in a negotiated settlement. Or that thousands have been demonstrating on 15 March of every year in the 1980's. Publicize the initiatives from belov. Instead of just submitting demands upvard, send them alsó to the press and to the organizations at related vorkplaces. Invite outsidere to your meetings. Hold joint consultations vith the representatives of others in the same situation. Try to publish TÁJÉKOZTATÓ. Regularly, if possible; at least occasionally, if nőt. The pover structure vili enter intő a dialóg only if it finds that the intellectualE are nőt the only ones vith vhom it has to negotiate. ♦ ■* 7
