engels’ reinterpretation revisionism (bernstein) – evolutionary theory lenin’s...
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Engels’ reinterpretation Revisionism (Bernstein) – evolutionary
theory Lenin’s reinterpretation, “vanguard
party,” critique of revisionism, theory of imperialism
Stalin’s reinterpretation of Marxism-Leninism
Mao Zedong’s reinterpretation of Marxism-Leninism
Marx dies (1883), Engels chief spokesman for Marxist theory
Simplifies, recasts as “deterministic” and “materialist” Marx’ emphasis = choices and options;
Engels’ = necessity and inevitability Marx = social foundation for material
production and social change (“materialist conception of history”); Engels = older, outmoded philosophical “materialism,” reducing social, economic phenomena to “matter in motion”
Revisionist Marxists revise, update Marxist theory Revolution politically unnecessary, morally
undesirable Working class not immiserated Power of labor unions, socialist parties
workers better off economically, politically Peaceful political and economic evolution of
capitalism socialism morally preferable “Evolutionary” Marxism becomes
dominant in German socialist circles
A.k.a., Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Russia unripe for revolution
Workers = agricultural, suspicious, superstitious, religious
“Vanguard” party educate, enlighten workers about real, true class interests Small, tightly knit organization Secretive and conspiratorial
“Democratic centralism” organizing principle Members free to discuss and disagree until
decision made and agreed to Party of bourgeois intellectuals knowledge and
acumen to inform, educate workers
Lenin’s, Imperialism (1916) WWI, workers (England and Germany)
volunteer to fight each other rather joining to fight ruling bourgeoisie
Workers in advanced capitalist countries share in “super-profits” generated by imperialism (Africa, Latin America, Asia)
Capitalists pay higher wages, raise living standards of workers, put off immiseration
Not Bernstein’s “evolution” WWI = war among capitalist countries
for larger share of super-profits from imperialism
Russia enters war against Germany March 1917, riots break out Tsar Nicholas orders troops to put down
revolt, they refuse Tsar steps down, replaced by coalition
government Lenin leaves exile in Switzerland Rallies Bolshevik forces to topple
provisional government of non-Bolshevik socialist Alexander Kerensky (October 1917)
Lenin premier; Russia withdraws from war “War communism” -- Bolshevik government seizes
mines, mills, farms, and factories; gives land, bread to peasants
Wealthy landowners “White” counterrevolution against “Reds”
Brief civil war takes heavy toll, Reds victorious Lenin (1921) institutes New Economic Policy (NEP)
Peasants allowed to farm own land and sell produce for profit
Secret police (Cheka) formed to root out dissidents, potential counterrevolutionaries
Lenin dies (1924) Joseph Stalin powerConsolidates hold over party (1929)Mid-1930s, lays groundwork for
purge trials (late 1930s), imprisonment , death of leading Bolsheviks, millions of ordinary Soviet citizens
Party (like working class) likely to suffer “false consciousness” Must be led by all-knowing, all-powerful,
infallible genius (guess who?) “Socialism in one country”
Socialism must be consolidated in Soviet Union before being spread elsewhere
Communist parties elsewhere subservient to Soviet Communist Party; national Soviet hegemony
“Scientific socialist” theory of “dialectical materialism” Crude, reductionist; inspired by Engels
Mao attracted to Lenin’s views China economically underdeveloped
primarily agricultural; mostly peasants, few industrial workers; lacked sizable proletariat
Vanguard party could lead successful revolution against ruling class
Adapted Lenin’s arguments to Chinese conditions
Provided ideological justification for Chinese Revolution and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (1949)
Bypasses urban proletariat, taps reservoir of resentment among peasants
Downplays “objective,” “material” conditions, stresses importance of revolutionary “consciousness” or “will”
Class covers economic and social strata within China and between nations U.S. = bourgeois, China = proletarian China and other proletarian nations surround
bourgeois nations Cut off from resources, cheap labor, vast
markets, and super-profits in “proletarian” (“Third World,” developing, Global South) countries, bourgeois nations capitulate
Anarcho-communists Criticize Marx’s revolutionary seizure of state
power State ought to be abolished; oppressive State power in hands of communists corrupts
them, making them new, more oppressive masters
Examples: Bakunin and Kropotkin Fabian Society (G.B.)
Eschewed revolution altogether, favored peaceful parliamentary path to socialism
View taken by most American socialists (Edward Bellamy Michael Harrington)