In his paper, What is to Be Done (1902), Vladimir Lenin, the future founder and leader of the Soviet Union, outlines his argument for what will eventually be called Leninism. Rather than strictly adhere to the ideas of Karl Marx for creating a communist state, Lenin determined that Russia was not the prototypical industrial society ready for a Marxist revolution. Therefore, he determined that a “hybrid” form of Marxism was necessary for Russia. What is to Be Done argues for these alterations specific to Russia.
As you read the paper, explain how Lenin’s theory veers away from orthodox Marxism? What does Lenin think of the lower classes? Where will the power of the revolution reside? Why?
28 April 2010
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