Activities of the «Komsomol Searchlight» as a Factor in the Development of Soviet Industry in the 1960s

Abstract

The features of the institutionalization of the “Komsomol Searchlight” are considered, an ambiguous assessment of its activity at industrial enterprises of the USSR of the 1960s is given. From the point of view of the authors, the “Komsomol Searchlight” has become the highest point in the development of the Komsomol control system. It is alleged that both positive and negative aspects of youth participation in public control appeared in its activities. It is reported that a sustainable organizational structure of control units has been developed. It is emphasized that the issues of mass character, specialization, forms of work and study of Komsomol members have been successfully resolved. The authors of the article point out the active role of Komsomol members in strengthening labour discipline and improving the quality of production. It is noted that the “Komsomol Searchlight” contributed to the implementation of the achievements of scientific and technological progress, tried to introduce the foundations of the scientific organization of labour. It is shown that the main problem of the controlling Komsomol units is recognized as an unsatisfactory correction of the identified deficiencies. The main sources of research are archival documents, most of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The uniqueness of the materials of the Komsomol control units (unlike most documents of Soviet organizations of the late period, which is characterized by embellishment of reality) lies in the opportunity to consider the negative phenomena in the economic and public life of the country, to understand their reasons.