In many communist countries during and after the Cold War (particularly in Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific), the ruling communist party often formed "blocs" with a number of bloc/satellite parties to keep up a pretense of a "United Front" or a "National Front". Obviously in Western eyes these parties seem like they are rubberstamps in parliaments to keep up a pretense of democracies. Only during the collapse of Eastern European communist regimes in 1989 did any of these parties appear to function as autonomous political entities (like in Poland and East Germany).

But since these satellite parties existed (or exist still, in China and North Korea's cases), what exactly did they do on a day to day basis? Did party members try to distinguish themselves from the ruling parties in any meaningful way, either in terms of policies or in political identity? Did party members make any genuine efforts to formulate policies and contribute to the policymaking process? How did these parties recruit members, and what motivated members to join these auxiliaries instead of the ruling party? Did members face extra scrutiny from state security services, or did they receive special rewards for helping to keep up the facade?

Happy to receive insights for any Eastern Bloc country, as well as China and North Korea (before 2000).