There's a conversation to be had about how limited horizontalism allows for a greater capacity to work and to foster a local social culture. In DemCent, there is a series of committees with overlapping liaisons that should make local and work group decisions and sentiment work their way to the center. It is then processed by leadership and works its way back outward. In socialist countries, cities tend to have a lot of autonomy within their predefined structure.

But yeah — PSL is commandist. We have next to no power in the Party to change anything at the national level. Party Congresses, which include local delegates and are the highest body of power that could change internal policies within the CC, seem to be a bit of a facade based on many accounts. Also, the CC elects 40% of the Congress delegates, which is highly unusual for a Communist Party anywhere.