Socialist competition in the system of economic stimulations in the period of «stagnation»

The beginning of the period of "stagnation" in the history of the Soviet state is usually associated with the replacement of the heads of the CPSU and the Soviet state, which occurred in the mid-1960s, when L.I. Brezhnev took over from N.S. Khrushchev. At the same time, the "Kosygin" reforms began (A.N. Kosygin was the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR at that time) due to the emergence of large-scale problems in the economy of the USSR (the end of this period fell on the mid-1980s). The emphasis in the reforms was on expanding the independence of state enterprises and strengthening the role of economic incentives for highly productive labor. Among other incentive measures, the institution of socialist competition was also used. The article examines the specifics of its implementation during the specified period in a social and legal context. It is noted that socialist competition covered almost all levels of industrial production: from teams, sections, workshops to enterprises. Socialist competition was considered not a material, but a moral incentive, based, as explained in party program documents, on the high consciousness of workers who were ready to fulfill and exceed the plans established by the party and the government in order to improve the well-being of the Soviet people and strengthen the socialist state. The winners of the competition for the best labor indicators received challenge banners, pennants, certificates of honor, and valuable gifts and payments from material incentive funds (if there were funds in them) were also provided. However, in reality, socialist competition was a purely formal process, which was quickly forgotten during the period of "perestroika".