How were individual rights viewed in the USSR?

In the USSR, individual rights were primarily viewed as subordinate to the collective good of society. This perspective was rooted in Marxist-Leninist ideology, which emphasized the importance of the state and the community over the rights of individuals. The government asserted that the rights of individuals must align with the goals of the communist state, which were focused on collective welfare, economic equality, and the advancement of the socialist agenda.

As such, while there were constitutional provisions that nominally recognized individual rights, in practice, these rights were often restricted if they were seen as conflicting with the interests of the state or the communist party. Dissent, political opposition, and activities that challenged the status quo could lead to severe repercussions, including imprisonment or exile. Thus, the view of individual rights in the USSR was fundamentally shaped by a belief in prioritizing the well-being of society as defined by the ruling party, leading to a significant limitation on personal freedoms.