The term “revolution” can be either defined as “an attempt […] to change the government of a country” or as a “great change in conditions, ways of working, beliefs, etc. that affects large numbers of people”. In conducting the Russian revolution of 1917 and its aftermath, Lenin has fulfilled both conditions – for the first time in history, the capitalist system was challenged by a Communist state.
In this essay, I will firstly concentrate on Lenin’s theoretical approach to the “dictatorship of the proletariat” and its realization throughout the period of the “October Revolution” (section II). Thereupon, section III describes the use of Communism during the civil war and its consequences, whereas section IV considers the implication of the New Economic Policy on various parts of the Russian population.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. a. Revolution in theory…
b. … and practice
III. War Communism
IV. The New Economic Policy
V. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines Vladimir Lenin's theoretical conception of Communism and its practical implementation during the formative years of the Soviet state. It explores the transition from revolutionary theory to the harsh realities of War Communism and the subsequent tactical retreat represented by the New Economic Policy, analyzing how these measures shaped the Russian state and its society.
- Lenin's theoretical vision of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
- The divergence between revolutionary Marxist theory and Russian practical application.
- The economic and social consequences of the War Communism era.
- The introduction and strategic purpose of the New Economic Policy (NEP).
- The use of state repression to enforce party discipline and maintain power.
Excerpt from the Book
II. a. Revolution in theory…
The philosopher and economist Karl Marx had developed a doctrine, according to which history is to be interpreted as a history of class struggles between the capitalist “bourgeoisie” and the “working class” which will be brought to an end by the socialist objective of “the inevitable triumph of the proletarian revolution”. In the pamphlet “State and Revolution” (published in 1918), the convinced Marxist Vladimir Ilitch Ulyanov alias Lenin (1870-1924) claimed that “the passage from capitalism to communism required an intermediate stage called the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’”. Once this state would have “overcome the resistance of the exploiters” and socialism would be achieved, the masses of ordinary people would gain political participation (“not only in voting and elections, but in day-to-day administration”) - “the state of this period must inevitably be […] dictatorial in a new way (against the bourgeoisie)” and “democratic in a new way (for proletarians and the unpropertied in general)”.
Moreover, the latter one should profit of a high level of welfare, corresponding to the principle “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need”. By emphasizing the social aspect rather than the personal profit, an “ultimate stage of humanity” would be accomplished. As the “proletarians” were not supposed to reach this condition only by their own efforts, however, the “dedicated professionals” of the Socialist party “had to explain and indoctrinate and guide”. This precondition implied the contradictory circumstance that “the desirability of individual self-improvement was stressed” and at the same time “citizens [had] to subordinate their personal interests to those of the general good as defined by the party” – which was, for instance, a “huge, centralized, communist production”, and in order to create this new socialist system, the “total destruction of the existing state machinery” would be necessary.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: The introduction defines the concept of revolution in the context of Lenin and outlines the essay's focus on the transition from theory to the implementation of Communist policies in Russia.
II. a. Revolution in theory…: This section discusses the Marxist doctrinal foundations and Lenin's adaptation of these ideas into the concept of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
b. … and practice: This chapter analyzes the actual historical implementation of the Russian revolution and the rise of the Bolshevik Party under Lenin’s leadership.
III. War Communism: This chapter details the state's total control over the economy during the Russian Civil War and the resulting social and economic hardships.
IV. The New Economic Policy: This chapter explains the tactical economic retreat introduced by Lenin to restore production and calm the revolting population through limited capitalist measures.
V. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the contradictions inherent in Lenin's policies and the harsh reality of maintaining power through state repression.
Keywords
Lenin, Communism, Russian Revolution, Bolshevik Party, Marxism, Dictatorship of the Proletariat, War Communism, New Economic Policy, NEP, Civil War, Class Struggle, Soviet State, Proletariat, Bourgeoisie, Political Repression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the interpretation and practical application of "Communism" by Vladimir Lenin during the early years of the Soviet Union, specifically between 1917 and the early 1920s.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
Key themes include Marxist theory, the political reality of the Russian Revolution, the economic management during the Civil War, the introduction of the New Economic Policy, and the methods used by the Bolsheviks to ensure party control.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze how Lenin’s theoretical vision of a socialist state diverged from and conflicted with the actual political and economic practices he implemented after seizing power.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The work employs a historical-analytical approach, utilizing primary ideological texts alongside secondary historical accounts and scholarly interpretations of the Soviet era.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body systematically progresses from the theoretical underpinnings of the dictatorship of the proletariat to the implementation of War Communism, the crisis that necessitated the New Economic Policy, and the accompanying internal and external repression.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Lenin, Communism, Russian Revolution, Bolsheviks, War Communism, and the New Economic Policy.
How did Lenin justify the "New Economic Policy" against internal critics?
Lenin framed the policy not as a rejection of Communist goals, but as a "strategic retreat"—a temporary measure necessary to recover from a shattered economy before launching a "new attack" on capitalism.
How did the treatment of "class enemies" evolve under Lenin?
The treatment became increasingly ruthless, moving from general political control to systematic state-sponsored persecution, as evidenced by Lenin's explicit 1922 instructions to arrest and execute clergymen and "bourgeois" elements to prevent future resistance.
- Quote paper
- Marion Luger (Author), 2001, What Did Lenin Mean by 'Communism'?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135047
