The author begins with a description of the purpose of the Communist Party Congress and traces its development from an open forum of debate and discussion (prior to 1924) to its more conservative and restrictive position. He contends that with its current emphasis on conservatism, the Communist Party Congress has three communicative roles: (1) it is a source of information on policies decided at other levels of authority, with little debate or discussion; (2) it serves as a propaganda both for domestic and foreign audiences; and (3) it is now a public form for denouncing dissident elements within the party. (Author/RN)