Key Messages in Lenin's "What Is to Be Done?"

Introduction:

Vladimir Lenin's pamphlet "What Is to Be Done?" is a seminal work that played a significant role in shaping the ideology and strategy of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party, later to become the Bolshevik Party. Written in 1902, this work outlines Lenin's vision for the revolutionary movement in Russia. Here, we summarize the key messages in Lenin's "What Is to Be Done?"

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Vanguard Party:

Lenin argued for the creation of a highly organized, centralized, and disciplined revolutionary party that would serve as the vanguard of the working class. He believed that the working class, on its own, could only achieve "trade union consciousness" and was susceptible to bourgeois ideology. The vanguard party, composed of professional revolutionaries, would provide ideological leadership and direction to the working class.

Intellectual Leadership:

Lenin emphasized the role of intellectuals and their duty to bring socialist consciousness to the working class. He believed that intellectuals, due to their education and access to Marxist theory, should play a leading role in the revolutionary movement. These intellectuals, according to Lenin, would ensure that the working class transcended its immediate economic struggles and embraced a revolutionary socialist perspective.

Centralism and Discipline:

Lenin stressed the importance of centralism and strict discipline within the revolutionary organization. He argued that a tightly controlled party was necessary to effectively coordinate revolutionary activities, avoid deviations, and maintain unity of purpose. Lenin's concept of "democratic centralism" meant that while there would be internal debate and discussion, once decisions were made, they had to be followed by all members.

The Role of Agitation and Propaganda:

Lenin distinguished between two methods of political communication: agitation and propaganda. Agitation was meant to appeal to the immediate interests and concerns of the working class, while propaganda aimed at educating them on the broader principles of Marxism. He believed that both were essential, but that agitation was particularly important for mobilizing the masses.

Rejecting Economism:

In "What Is to Be Done?", Lenin harshly criticized the "Economists," a faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that focused primarily on economic struggles and labor issues while downplaying the importance of revolutionary politics. Lenin argued that this approach was insufficient and that revolutionaries needed to engage in political struggles and address broader societal issues.

Conclusion:

Lenin's "What Is to Be Done?" is a foundational text in the history of revolutionary socialist thought. Its key messages center around the need for a disciplined vanguard party of intellectuals to lead the working class in achieving socialist revolution. Lenin's ideas and strategies outlined in this pamphlet had a profound impact on the course of Russian history, eventually leading to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union.

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