Stalin

• Under Stalin structure remained largely the same with the power concentrated in the Politburo
• The 1936 constitution led to a structural change in government but not in the centre of power. There was now an elected supreme soviet and Presidium, from which the council of Ministers was elected
• The new chair of the presidium (president of the USSR) was solely a figure head position. On paper it looked democratic, but it was adopted at the height of Stalinist purges and there was only one candidate to vote for in each constituency