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The main order of business for Chernenko, however, was the Soviet economy, which has been plagued by slower growth and widespread inefficiency. Borrowing some of the very words that Andropov had used in several speeches, Chernenko complained about "slackness" and "irresponsibility," noting that they "inflict serious social, moral damage." According to Chernenko, the whole Soviet economic machine was in need of "serious restructuring." Said he: "We expect from our economic executives more independence at all levels, a bold search and, if necessary, a well-justified risk in the name of increasing the effectiveness of the economy and ensuring a rise in the living standards of the people."
Drawing on his long experience in the Soviet bureaucracy, Chernenko advocated a clearer separation between the work of the party and that of state and economic organizations. The result, he said, would be less duplication of effort. Said he: "Workers at municipalities, ministries and enterprises do not display the necessary independence, but shift to party bodies the matters that they should handle themselves." If such practices continued, warned Chernenko, they would weaken the party's political role. He reaffirmed that the party's strength must be "its contact with the masses" and "their practical attitude to production matters, to problems of public life."
Judging from Chernenko's speech, the new Soviet leader seems intent on doing just what his predecessor did—at least for the immediate future. In the area of foreign policy, Chernenko does not appear to be any more willing than Andropov to resume nuclear arms talks. Nor does he seem to be eager for an early summit meeting with Reagan. Given Chernenko's limited experience with diplomacy and defense, he will probably rely on the advice of two Politburo veterans, Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and Defense Minister Ustinov. Richard Thomas, director of the Center for Strategic Technology at Texas A&M University, believes that Chernenko will "rest on the oars a bit, see how the wind is blowing and move accordingly."
The same principle may apply to the new leader's handling of domestic problems. Chernenko will probably continue the limited economic experiments that Andropov began, which give some enterprises the power to make decisions more independently of centralized control. He has given indications that he wants to pursue Andropov's campaign for greater discipline and efficiency. The former leader had cracked down on absenteeism and drunkenness on the shop floor and on corruption in government ministries. But Chernenko is a conservative by instinct, with more experience in carrying out than in initiating policies. Says French Sovietologist Hélène Carrère d'Encausse: "He might adopt the themes of the anticorruption campaign, but he will keep the debate ideological and will avoid making waves."