Why did Stalin need to introduce a new democratic constitution at the peak of his dictatorship? Why was so much mobilization effort spent on its popular discussion for six months? Finally, why did the adoption of the constitution in December 1936 unexpectedly turn into a turn to the mass repression of 1937-38? The book by historian Olga Velikanova highlights both the political conditions for the introduction of democratic freedoms from above and the reactions of people to the promised step towards social reconciliation, liberalism and inclusive electoral reform. The author analyzes public opinion in detail during the discussion of the basic law, supporting his innovative conclusions about the Soviet political culture of the 1930s with evidence from diaries, private letters, memoirs, as well as materials from foreign intelligence. Reports of party committees and the NKVD from the field about contradictory responses to the constitution, warnings about numerous enemies, widespread discontent that spilled out in the discussion could, according to the author, change Stalin's ideas about the Sovietization of society and move him to a turn: the final cleansing of the country from "anti-Soviet elements."