Marxism-Leninism

Question 1

what’s revolutionary socialism?

Answer 1

-reject the idea that socialism can evolve from a capitalist parliamentary system because these systems uphold the interests of the bourgeoisie
-socialism can only come about through revolution

Question 2

what was Lenin’s vision of revolution and how did it differ from that of Marx?

Answer 2

-revolution should be led by a small revolutionary cell comprised of intellectuals (a vanguard) - like a dictatorship of the proletariat but not an actual one
-didn’t agree with Marx on his idea that revolution could only occur in advanced capitalist countries
-didn’t agree that a revolution is triggered by a class consciousness arising from industrial working conditions - instead he believed a class consciousness came from education and propaganda

Question 3

what tasks did Lenin think the vanguard - the revolutionary elite - should perform?

Answer 3

1. plan and incite a revolution to overthrow the existing regime
2. re-educate the masses to offset false consciousness
3. form a new organisation after the revolution which embodies the dictatorship of the proletariat
4. they would embody democratic centralism within a one-party state

Question 4

what was Stalin’s view of socialism and how did this differ from Trotsky?

Answer 4

-believed in socialism in one country
whereas trotsky believed the USSR must help other countries to develop into socialist states aka permanent revolution