MARXISM AND MARXISM AND CULTURECULTURE

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

What is Marxism?What is Marxism?

Marxism, or Scientific Socialism, is the Marxism, or Scientific Socialism, is the name given to the body of ideas first name given to the body of ideas first worked out by Karl Marx (1818-1883) and worked out by Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895).Friedrich Engels (1820-1895).

In their totality, these ideas provide a fully In their totality, these ideas provide a fully worked-out theoretical basis for the worked-out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society--socialism.higher form of human society--socialism.

The theories of Marxism provide the The theories of Marxism provide the thinking worker with such an thinking worker with such an understanding--a thread which is capable understanding--a thread which is capable of leading him through the confused of leading him through the confused labyrinth of events, of the complex labyrinth of events, of the complex processes of society, of economics, of the processes of society, of economics, of the struggle of classes, of politics. struggle of classes, of politics.

The Marxist method The Marxist method provides a richer, fuller, provides a richer, fuller, more comprehensive more comprehensive view of society and life in view of society and life in general, and clears away general, and clears away the veil of mysticism in the veil of mysticism in understanding human understanding human and social development. and social development.

. Marxist philosophy explains that the . Marxist philosophy explains that the driving force of history is neither "Great driving force of history is neither "Great Men" nor the super-natural, but stems Men" nor the super-natural, but stems from the development of the productive from the development of the productive forces (industry, science, technique, etc.) forces (industry, science, technique, etc.) themselves. themselves.

HEGELHEGEL

The great German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel, The great German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel, (1770-1831), one of the most encyclopedic (1770-1831), one of the most encyclopedic minds of his time, subjected the forms of formal minds of his time, subjected the forms of formal logic to a detailed criticism, and demonstrated logic to a detailed criticism, and demonstrated their limitations and one-sidedness. their limitations and one-sidedness.

Hegel produced the first really comprehensive Hegel produced the first really comprehensive analysis of the laws of dialectics, which served analysis of the laws of dialectics, which served as a basis upon which Marx and Engels later as a basis upon which Marx and Engels later developed their theory of dialectical materialism. developed their theory of dialectical materialism.

Hegel's view of things was that of "A Hegel's view of things was that of "A development that seemingly repeats the development that seemingly repeats the stages already passed, but repeats them stages already passed, but repeats them differently, on a higher basis (negation of differently, on a higher basis (negation of the negation), a development, so to speak, the negation), a development, so to speak, in spirals, not in a straight line; a in spirals, not in a straight line; a development by leaps, catastrophes, development by leaps, catastrophes, revolutions; are some of the features of revolutions; are some of the features of dialectics as a richer (than the ordinary) dialectics as a richer (than the ordinary) doctrine of development" doctrine of development"

Hegel brilliantly posed the problem, but Hegel brilliantly posed the problem, but was prevented from solving it by his was prevented from solving it by his idealist preconceptions. idealist preconceptions. It was, in Engels' words "a colossal It was, in Engels' words "a colossal miscarriage". Despite its mystical side, miscarriage". Despite its mystical side, Hegel's philosophy already explained the Hegel's philosophy already explained the most important laws of dialectics: Quantity most important laws of dialectics: Quantity and quality, the interpenetration of and quality, the interpenetration of opposites and negation of the negation.opposites and negation of the negation.

Introduction to Introduction to

HISTORICALHISTORICAL MATERIALISMMATERIALISM

When one looks at history, it appears to be When one looks at history, it appears to be a mass of contradictions. Events are lost a mass of contradictions. Events are lost in a maze of revolutions, wars, periods of in a maze of revolutions, wars, periods of progress and of decline. progress and of decline.

How is it possible to understand and How is it possible to understand and explain these events, when it appears that explain these events, when it appears that they have no rational basis?they have no rational basis?

Theories ranging from supernatural Theories ranging from supernatural guidance to the leadership of "Great Men" guidance to the leadership of "Great Men" have attempted in one way or another, at have attempted in one way or another, at one time or another to provide such an one time or another to provide such an explanation. explanation.

Some believe that as people act Some believe that as people act independently of each other, theories of independently of each other, theories of human development are utterly worthless!human development are utterly worthless!

Marxists attach enormous Marxists attach enormous importance to the study of importance to the study of history; not for its own sake but history; not for its own sake but so as to study the great lessons so as to study the great lessons it contains. it contains.

Lenin, for example, prepared Lenin, for example, prepared the Bolshevik Party for the the Bolshevik Party for the October 1917 Revolution by a October 1917 Revolution by a meticulous analysis of the meticulous analysis of the experience of the Paris experience of the Paris Commune and the events in Commune and the events in Russia of 1905 and February Russia of 1905 and February 1917.1917.

What are the objective conditions of What are the objective conditions of production of material life that form the production of material life that form the basis of all of man's historical activity? basis of all of man's historical activity? What is the law of development of these What is the law of development of these conditions? conditions?

To all these Marx drew attention and To all these Marx drew attention and indicated the way to a scientific study of indicated the way to a scientific study of history as a single process .history as a single process .

PrimitivePrimitive CommunismCommunism

Early humans evolved some three million years ago out Early humans evolved some three million years ago out of a highly evolved species of ape. Slowly primitive of a highly evolved species of ape. Slowly primitive "humans" moved away from the forests and into the "humans" moved away from the forests and into the plains; a transition which was accompanied by an plains; a transition which was accompanied by an improvement in the flexibility and dexterity of the hand. improvement in the flexibility and dexterity of the hand. The economic forms were very simple. Humans, were The economic forms were very simple. Humans, were very rare animals, and they roamed around in groups in very rare animals, and they roamed around in groups in search of food. This nomadic life was completely search of food. This nomadic life was completely dominated with food gathering. Archaeologists call this dominated with food gathering. Archaeologists call this period the old stone age. Henry Morgan, an early period the old stone age. Henry Morgan, an early anthropologist, termed the period savagery. anthropologist, termed the period savagery.

In the stage of primitive communism (savagery In the stage of primitive communism (savagery and barbarism, each being a lower and higher and barbarism, each being a lower and higher stage respectively), no private property, classes, stage respectively), no private property, classes, privileged elites, police or special coercive privileged elites, police or special coercive apparatus (the state) existed.apparatus (the state) existed.

The tribes themselves were divided into social The tribes themselves were divided into social units called clans or gentes (singular gens). units called clans or gentes (singular gens).

This is what is termed a matriarchal society. This is what is termed a matriarchal society.

This classless form of society was extremely This classless form of society was extremely democratic in its character. Everyone would democratic in its character. Everyone would participate in a general assembly to decide the participate in a general assembly to decide the important issues as they occurred, and their important issues as they occurred, and their chiefs and officers would be elected for chiefs and officers would be elected for particular purposes. particular purposes.

The growth of private property in the later stages The growth of private property in the later stages of primitive communism is regarded by Marxists of primitive communism is regarded by Marxists as elements of the new society within the old.as elements of the new society within the old.

. Rich and poor, landowner and tenant, . Rich and poor, landowner and tenant, creditor and debtor all made their creditor and debtor all made their appearance in society.appearance in society.

The clans which were social units of The clans which were social units of originally blood relations, began to originally blood relations, began to disintegrate. The rich of different clans had disintegrate. The rich of different clans had more in common with each other than they more in common with each other than they had with the poor of their own clan.had with the poor of their own clan.

SlaveSlave SocietySociety

Despite all the horrors which accompanied it, the Despite all the horrors which accompanied it, the emergence of class society was enormously emergence of class society was enormously progressive in further developing society. progressive in further developing society.

For the first time since humans evolved from the For the first time since humans evolved from the ape, a section of society was freed from the ape, a section of society was freed from the labour of eking out an existence. Those who labour of eking out an existence. Those who were freed from work could now devote their were freed from work could now devote their time to science, philosophy and culture.time to science, philosophy and culture.

New ideas and morals developed to justify the New ideas and morals developed to justify the new social and economic order.new social and economic order.

With the growth of the city-states, the increase in With the growth of the city-states, the increase in the division of labour greatly accelerated. Not the division of labour greatly accelerated. Not only between town and country, but between only between town and country, but between branches of trade and finance, merchant and branches of trade and finance, merchant and usurer; new crafts sprung up together with a usurer; new crafts sprung up together with a growing band of artists catering for the tastes growing band of artists catering for the tastes and culture of the upper class.and culture of the upper class.

The slave economy was extremely The slave economy was extremely wasteful and needed for its survival a wasteful and needed for its survival a continuous supply of slaves to replace continuous supply of slaves to replace those who had been injured or died. those who had been injured or died.

Although the slave was much less Although the slave was much less productive than the free peasant on the productive than the free peasant on the land, the low cost of his maintenance land, the low cost of his maintenance made slavery far more profitable.made slavery far more profitable.

It was in this period that the revolutionary It was in this period that the revolutionary Christian movement emerged.Christian movement emerged. Because of this and continuous waging of Because of this and continuous waging of wars the age of the "cheap slave" came to wars the age of the "cheap slave" came to a rapid end bringing with it the decline of a rapid end bringing with it the decline of the slave empires.the slave empires. The age of the "cheap slave" came to a The age of the "cheap slave" came to a rapid end bringing with it the decline of the rapid end bringing with it the decline of the slave empires.slave empires.

THE RISE OF THE RISE OF FEUDALISMFEUDALISM

"The last centuries of the declining Roman "The last centuries of the declining Roman Empire and its conquest by the Barbarians Empire and its conquest by the Barbarians destroyed a number of productive forces: destroyed a number of productive forces: agriculture had declined, industry had agriculture had declined, industry had decayed for want of a market, trade had decayed for want of a market, trade had died out or had been violently suspended, died out or had been violently suspended, the rural population and urban population the rural population and urban population had decreased." (Karl Marx, The German had decreased." (Karl Marx, The German Ideology.)Ideology.)

In Barbarian communities like the In Barbarian communities like the Germans and Goths, they elected their Germans and Goths, they elected their village chiefs, however, as time passed by, village chiefs, however, as time passed by, chiefs were always chosen from the same chiefs were always chosen from the same family.family.The lords and barons together with their The lords and barons together with their men-at-arms formed a new social men-at-arms formed a new social hierarchy, sustained by the labor provided hierarchy, sustained by the labor provided by their vassals.by their vassals.

As Lafargue expressed it: "So soon as the As Lafargue expressed it: "So soon as the authority of the feudal nobility was authority of the feudal nobility was constituted, it became in its turn, a source constituted, it became in its turn, a source of trouble to the country whose defense it of trouble to the country whose defense it had been charged with.”had been charged with.”

Unlike today, where the main body of Unlike today, where the main body of wealth is created in the factories the land wealth is created in the factories the land produced nearly all of social requirement. produced nearly all of social requirement. So land became the most important So land became the most important possession of the Feudal systempossession of the Feudal system

The new organization of society based on The new organization of society based on landed property gave rise to a further landed property gave rise to a further development of the productive forcesdevelopment of the productive forces

In the words of the historian Meilly: "freer In the words of the historian Meilly: "freer social forms have the direct effect of social forms have the direct effect of stimulating production”.stimulating production”.

As the new classes crystallized, new forms As the new classes crystallized, new forms of state apparatus (like the Church) also of state apparatus (like the Church) also came into existence to preserve the feudal came into existence to preserve the feudal property forms.property forms.

In his very good book, Man's Worldly Goods, In his very good book, Man's Worldly Goods, Leo Huberinan explains the nature of the Leo Huberinan explains the nature of the conflict: "The whole atmosphere of feudalism conflict: "The whole atmosphere of feudalism was one of confinement, whereas the whole was one of confinement, whereas the whole atmosphere of merchant activity in the town was atmosphere of merchant activity in the town was one of freedom".one of freedom".Therefore old relationships had to be challenged Therefore old relationships had to be challenged and changed. The towns began to demand their and changed. The towns began to demand their freedom and independence, and gradually town freedom and independence, and gradually town charters were conceded, some by agreement, charters were conceded, some by agreement, others by force.others by force.

Decline of FeudalismDecline of Feudalism

The introduction of the money economy (which The introduction of the money economy (which had only a very limited character in slave had only a very limited character in slave society) slowly undermined the basis of the society) slowly undermined the basis of the feudal systemfeudal system

The impact of the Black Death, in the mid-14th The impact of the Black Death, in the mid-14th century, greatly accelerated the process. This in century, greatly accelerated the process. This in turn resulted in the chronic shortage of labor, turn resulted in the chronic shortage of labor, which forced many landowners to introduce which forced many landowners to introduce wage labor to overcome their difficultieswage labor to overcome their difficulties

RISE RISE OF THE OF THE

ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTE MONARCHMONARCH

The nation-state as we know it today did not The nation-state as we know it today did not always exist. Peoples' allegiances at this time always exist. Peoples' allegiances at this time belonged not to the nation but to the lord, the belonged not to the nation but to the lord, the town, the locality, or the guild.town, the locality, or the guild.

The struggle for independence of the towns from The struggle for independence of the towns from their feudal overlords, the continuous battles their feudal overlords, the continuous battles between local barons, the pillaging that followed, between local barons, the pillaging that followed, all gave rise to the need for a central authority, a all gave rise to the need for a central authority, a nation state.nation state.

The conflict between the central monarch The conflict between the central monarch and the great barons (a struggle between and the great barons (a struggle between two sections of the ruling class) ended two sections of the ruling class) ended with a victory for the king.with a victory for the king.

The monarch granted certain monopolies The monarch granted certain monopolies and privileges to sections of the middle and privileges to sections of the middle class and the next stage was set for the class and the next stage was set for the clash between the national monarch and clash between the national monarch and the interests of the international church. the interests of the international church.

In the early 16th century, the absolute In the early 16th century, the absolute monarchies came into conflict with the Catholic monarchies came into conflict with the Catholic Church themselves. Church themselves.

In this period, the Church was not just a religious In this period, the Church was not just a religious institution but the chief bulwark of the social institution but the chief bulwark of the social order. Apart from being a powerful landowner, it order. Apart from being a powerful landowner, it collected a tithe from everyone, had its courts collected a tithe from everyone, had its courts and special privileges, controlled education and and special privileges, controlled education and shaped the political and moral outlook of the shaped the political and moral outlook of the people. people.

Marx explained: "At a certain stage of development, the Marx explained: "At a certain stage of development, the material productive forces of society come into conflict material productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relation of production or--this merely with the existing relation of production or--this merely expresses the same thing in legal terms--with the expresses the same thing in legal terms--with the property relations within the framework of which they property relations within the framework of which they have operated hitherto. have operated hitherto.

He adds: "No social order is ever destroyed before all He adds: "No social order is ever destroyed before all the productive forces for which it is sufficient have been the productive forces for which it is sufficient have been developed, and new superior relations of production developed, and new superior relations of production never replace older ones before the material conditions never replace older ones before the material conditions for their existence have matured within the framework of for their existence have matured within the framework of the old society."the old society."

The Capitalist The Capitalist RevolutionRevolution

The Puritanism of the Calvin variety suited the The Puritanism of the Calvin variety suited the outlook and morality of the rising middle class in outlook and morality of the rising middle class in town and country with its emphasis on self-town and country with its emphasis on self-reliance and personal success. reliance and personal success. In England, the struggle between the new In England, the struggle between the new bourgeoisie and the old order took the form of bourgeoisie and the old order took the form of the civil war. The New Model Army of Oliver the civil war. The New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell led the middle class into the armed Cromwell led the middle class into the armed struggle against the King and Old Order struggle against the King and Old Order Cromwell, resting for support on the army, Cromwell, resting for support on the army, established himself as the head of a Bonapartist established himself as the head of a Bonapartist military dictatorship .military dictatorship .

Thus, capitalism revolution came into Thus, capitalism revolution came into existence, in which the "bourgeoise" class existence, in which the "bourgeoise" class displaced the land-lord class as the displaced the land-lord class as the economically dominant class, with or economically dominant class, with or against the national monarchs as the case against the national monarchs as the case might be. These capitalist revolutions might be. These capitalist revolutions began roughly in the 1600's, and in some began roughly in the 1600's, and in some parts of the world, they continue todayparts of the world, they continue today

As Marx and Engels observed, this new As Marx and Engels observed, this new capitalist system has often been very capitalist system has often been very dynamic, increasing the productivity of dynamic, increasing the productivity of labor at unprecedented rates. Yet the two labor at unprecedented rates. Yet the two most characteristic features of capitalism most characteristic features of capitalism have also been sources of tension that have also been sources of tension that sometimes seemed destined to replace sometimes seemed destined to replace capitalism with some other system, either capitalism with some other system, either gradually or in a further revolution gradually or in a further revolution

One of those features is the new division One of those features is the new division of society into two classes: employers and of society into two classes: employers and employees, or, in Marxist terms, capitalists employees, or, in Marxist terms, capitalists and workers or "proletarians." The other is and workers or "proletarians." The other is the key role of the national state, which the key role of the national state, which has sometimes been the rival of the has sometimes been the rival of the capitalist employer class as the directing capitalist employer class as the directing force in the economy. force in the economy.

TheThe triumphtriumph ofof capitalismcapitalism

The great Bourgeois revolutions cleared the The great Bourgeois revolutions cleared the path for Capitalism.path for Capitalism.The agrarian changes ensured the growth The agrarian changes ensured the growth of capitalist agriculture, where the old feudal of capitalist agriculture, where the old feudal estates had been broken up and distributed estates had been broken up and distributed to the peasantsto the peasantsGovernments now, instead of acting as a Governments now, instead of acting as a brake on trade and industry, actually brake on trade and industry, actually championed its cause.championed its cause.

The means of production became concentrated The means of production became concentrated into fewer and fewer hands. into fewer and fewer hands. The class structure became more simplified. On The class structure became more simplified. On the one hand were the capitalists and on the other the one hand were the capitalists and on the other the property less proletarians .the property less proletarians .the the working classworking class or or proletariatproletariat: Karl Marx defined : Karl Marx defined this class as "those individuals who sell their labor this class as "those individuals who sell their labor and do not own the means of production" whom and do not own the means of production" whom he believed were responsible for creating the he believed were responsible for creating the wealth of a society.wealth of a society.the the bourgeoisiebourgeoisie : Those who "own the means of  : Those who "own the means of production" and exploit the proletariat. production" and exploit the proletariat.

In the process of production, the proletarian produces more In the process of production, the proletarian produces more value than he receives in wages, the surplus value being value than he receives in wages, the surplus value being exploited by the capitalists. exploited by the capitalists. Its export of commodities and then Capital leads the capitalist Its export of commodities and then Capital leads the capitalist class to create "a world after its own image".class to create "a world after its own image".In its search for profit, amidst competition from rivals, the In its search for profit, amidst competition from rivals, the capitalist class is forced to introduce new methods of capitalist class is forced to introduce new methods of production, in this way Capitalism has, historically, played a production, in this way Capitalism has, historically, played a progressive role continually revolutionising the productive progressive role continually revolutionising the productive forces.forces.The productive forces, technique and science gradually The productive forces, technique and science gradually outgrew the nation state which protected it.outgrew the nation state which protected it.

MarxismMarxism and Imperialismand Imperialism..

It is an elementary proposition It is an elementary proposition of Marxism that the state is not of Marxism that the state is not an independent force, that it an independent force, that it must reflect the interests of a must reflect the interests of a group or class within society.group or class within society.

Karl MarxKarl Marx

In the Communist Manifesto Karl Marx In the Communist Manifesto Karl Marx and Engels presented the spreading-and Engels presented the spreading-out of industrial capitalism across the out of industrial capitalism across the world as a revolutionary, civilising world as a revolutionary, civilising process .process .

The fact that free trade created The fact that free trade created inequalities between nations as well as inequalities between nations as well as between classes .between classes .

Marx frequently called England the Marx frequently called England the despot (dictator) of the world marketdespot (dictator) of the world market

Points of our Discussion:Points of our Discussion:

Why does free trade generate inequalities Why does free trade generate inequalities between nations as well as between classes? between nations as well as between classes?

How could Marx regard the "imperialist" spread How could Marx regard the "imperialist" spread of capital across the world as "progressive" (or of capital across the world as "progressive" (or "destructive", or "revolutionary" - he uses the "destructive", or "revolutionary" - he uses the three words almost interchangeably), and yet three words almost interchangeably), and yet fight against imperialism?fight against imperialism?

From the late 19th century, the more From the late 19th century, the more cosmopolitan, free-trade world of the cosmopolitan, free-trade world of the Communist Manifesto was replaced by a Communist Manifesto was replaced by a world of increasing trade blocs, tariffs, world of increasing trade blocs, tariffs, cartels, monopolies, militarism - and cartels, monopolies, militarism - and deliberate, announced, drives to build deliberate, announced, drives to build colonial empires by the big European colonial empires by the big European powers.powers.

Karl KautskyKarl Kautsky

The first main Marxist writer on this was Karl The first main Marxist writer on this was Karl Kautsky. He developed the ideas that:Kautsky. He developed the ideas that:

- "Imperialism" was a distinct new stage of - "Imperialism" was a distinct new stage of capitalism, linked to the ascendancy of finance capitalism, linked to the ascendancy of finance capital and militarism.capital and militarism.

- It signified capitalism losing its progressive - It signified capitalism losing its progressive impulses and becoming more reactionary and impulses and becoming more reactionary and crisis-ridden; crisis-ridden;

Socialists should support national emancipation Socialists should support national emancipation in a much more general, across-the-board way in a much more general, across-the-board way than Marx and Engels had done .than Marx and Engels had done .

How was this new "imperialism" different from How was this new "imperialism" different from the old business of colonial empires?the old business of colonial empires?

Where did Kautsky's ideas stand in relation to Where did Kautsky's ideas stand in relation to others, in this period when the terminology and others, in this period when the terminology and ideology of "imperialism" became current? ideology of "imperialism" became current?

Kautsky insist that the new imperialism, Kautsky insist that the new imperialism, involving much more systematic export of involving much more systematic export of capital than previous stages, represented capital than previous stages, represented a final stage of decay in capitalist a final stage of decay in capitalist development .development .

Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin

Lenin said that ,the prolonged existence of Lenin said that ,the prolonged existence of capitalism signifies "horror without end." capitalism signifies "horror without end."

Marx, Engels and Lenin always laid stress Marx, Engels and Lenin always laid stress on the leading role of the proletariat in the on the leading role of the proletariat in the revolution. They explained that only the revolution. They explained that only the working class can bring about the socialist working class can bring about the socialist revolution. No other class can fulfill this revolution. No other class can fulfill this role .role .

Lenin in accordance with some Lenin in accordance with some of the Marxist writers came to of the Marxist writers came to the idea that World War – I was the idea that World War – I was the outcome of a new, the outcome of a new, "imperialist", phase of "imperialist", phase of capitalism, and only a bold capitalism, and only a bold revolutionary anti-war policy revolutionary anti-war policy could respond to it.could respond to it.

After World War Two, After World War Two, however, there were however, there were gradual but dramatic gradual but dramatic changes: the break-up of changes: the break-up of the old colonial empires and the old colonial empires and trade blocs, the trade blocs, the reorganization of the world reorganization of the world into two spheres dominated into two spheres dominated by two superpowers.by two superpowers.

GlobalisationGlobalisation

1989-91 saw a radical new shift, with the 1989-91 saw a radical new shift, with the collapse of the second superpower, the USSR, collapse of the second superpower, the USSR, and its sphere, giving rise to many phenomena and its sphere, giving rise to many phenomena called "globalisation".called "globalisation".

The crushing domination of imperialism in the The crushing domination of imperialism in the world arena, which was strengthened after the world arena, which was strengthened after the fall of Stalinism, has meant an increased fall of Stalinism, has meant an increased exploitation of the Third World as a whole. exploitation of the Third World as a whole.

We can say that ,"globalisation" represent We can say that ,"globalisation" represent a return to the "imperialism of free trade" a return to the "imperialism of free trade" of Marx's time in the mid-19th century .of Marx's time in the mid-19th century .

The USA has increasingly emerged as the The USA has increasingly emerged as the new "despot of the world market", much new "despot of the world market", much more so than Britain at the time when more so than Britain at the time when Marx applied the same description to it .Marx applied the same description to it .

The Socialist The Socialist TransformationTransformation

The socialist transformation ushers in a The socialist transformation ushers in a new and higher form of society by new and higher form of society by breaking the fetters on the development of breaking the fetters on the development of the productive forces.the productive forces.

The Socialist Revolution cannot be The Socialist Revolution cannot be confined to one country, but puts the world confined to one country, but puts the world revolution on the order of the day. revolution on the order of the day.

A Socialist United States of Europe would A Socialist United States of Europe would prepare the ground for a World Federation of prepare the ground for a World Federation of Socialist States, and the international planning of Socialist States, and the international planning of production. production.

One of the first tasks of the victorious working One of the first tasks of the victorious working class would be the destruction of the old state class would be the destruction of the old state machine. In all class societies the state came machine. In all class societies the state came into existence as "an organ of class rule, an into existence as "an organ of class rule, an organ for the oppression of one class by organ for the oppression of one class by another".another".

. In a workers' state, the majority are holding a . In a workers' state, the majority are holding a tiny minority of ex-capitalists in check and tiny minority of ex-capitalists in check and therefore the massive bureaucratic state of the therefore the massive bureaucratic state of the past is not needed. past is not needed. This "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" or Workers' This "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" or Workers' Democracy, as Trotsky preferred to call it, vastly Democracy, as Trotsky preferred to call it, vastly broadened and extended the highest forms of broadened and extended the highest forms of bourgeois democracy.bourgeois democracy.With the reduction of the working week, the With the reduction of the working week, the masses are given the opportunity to involve masses are given the opportunity to involve themselves in the state, and obtain the key to themselves in the state, and obtain the key to culture, science and art. culture, science and art.

Although the exploitation of man by Although the exploitation of man by manman has been ended, production has not has been ended, production has not yet reached a high enough level to yet reached a high enough level to completely eradicate inequality or class completely eradicate inequality or class differences. People still have to follow the differences. People still have to follow the principle: "He who does not work shall not principle: "He who does not work shall not eat". The state, despite its transitory eat". The state, despite its transitory character, remains the guardian of character, remains the guardian of inequality.inequality.

Socialism, the classless societySocialism, the classless society

Yet with huge strides forward in production, Yet with huge strides forward in production, based on the most advanced science and based on the most advanced science and conscious planning, humanity enters the higher conscious planning, humanity enters the higher realms of real society. realms of real society. In the words of Lenin, "the narrow horizon of In the words of Lenin, "the narrow horizon of bourgeois law", which compels one to calculate bourgeois law", which compels one to calculate with the heartlessness of a Shylock whether one with the heartlessness of a Shylock whether one has not worked half an hour more than has not worked half an hour more than somebody else, whether one is getting less pay somebody else, whether one is getting less pay than somebody else--this narrow horizon will than somebody else--this narrow horizon will then be left behind. then be left behind.

The barbarous nature of class society would The barbarous nature of class society would have ended once and for all. The prehistory of have ended once and for all. The prehistory of humankind would have been completed. humankind would have been completed.

Humanity sets itself the task of conquering Humanity sets itself the task of conquering nature, and opens up the tremendous wonders nature, and opens up the tremendous wonders of science and technology. In the words of of science and technology. In the words of Engels, "the government of persons is replaced Engels, "the government of persons is replaced by the administration of things". by the administration of things".