Marxism

Question 1

what were the 7 key features of Marxism?

Answer 1

•class struggle
•materialism
•critique of capitalism
•abolition of private property
•revolutionary change
•dictatorship of the proletariat

Question 2

what did marx want the revolution trigger to be in comparison to lenin?

Answer 2

marx- spontaneous uprising by industrial workers
lenin- led by a small, disciplined vanguard party

Question 3

what stage of society did marx believe a revolution would happen in comparison to lenin?

Answer 3

marx- happens in advanced capitalist societies
lenin- can happen in a backward agrarian society like russia

Question 4

what did marx believe the role of the peasants was in comparison to lenin?

Answer 4

marx- not central to revolution
lenin- essential allies of the proletariat

Question 5

what did marx believe the path to socialism was in comparison to lenin?

Answer 5

marx- through capitalist development, socialism
lenin- can skip the capitalism stage via a revolution

Question 6

what did marx believe the nature of the revolution should be in comparison to lenin?

Answer 6

marx- bottom-up
lenin- top-down, directed by revolutionary elites

Question 7

what did marx believe the form of government post-revolution should be like in comparison to lenin?

Answer 7

marx- democratic rule by the working class (dictatorship of the proletariat, collective leadership)
lenin- centralised, one-party state led by bolsheviks

Question 8

what was marx’s view on the state in comparison to lenin?

Answer 8

marx- that it was a temporary tool that would wither away
lenin- strong centralised state needs to maintain control during transition