Marxism-Leninism is a doctrine dedicated to revolution. It is based on the ideas of Marx, Engels, finalized by Lenin. In fact, this is a holistic systemic science, including philosophizing, social aspects, opinions about economics, politics. This direction reflects the worldview of ordinary hard workers. ML is a science that allows you to know the world, correct it through revolution. This teaching is dedicated to the laws of social progress, changing the nature of the public, as well as the development of human thinking.
General view
Marxism-Leninism is a trend of thought that appeared in the century before last, approximately in the 40s. It was then that the historical lease for the first time saw the workers as an independent class, having power and its own positions and views. Engels, Marx acted as the creators of a worldview dedicated to the workers with a scientific basis. The vanguard of thisclass were communists. The authors of the ML created a strategy, proposed the tactics of the revolution, developed a political, ideological program. It was they who developed the revolution as a science through which they explained the world and changed it. Marxism is a complex trend at the junction of various scientific achievements. It represents the advanced ideas and fabrications of society in the mid-nineteenth century. The direction was formed as a result of the analysis, generalization of the experience gained during the battle with the class system.
ML became the first doctrine in the history of our world that openly, from a scientific point of view, explained how society develops, and also proved that capitalism will surely perish. Marxism-Leninism is a doctrine within which it has been scientifically shown that sooner or later communism will replace capitalism. The proletariat was assigned a special mission in history, because it is precisely through this movement that capitalism must perish. In addition, the proletariat is the stratum that will create a communist society. Engels and Marx worked on the progress of the proposed doctrine, formulated new conclusions, evaluated the correctness of what had already been formulated, taking into account the real experience of the revolution. No less attention of the authors of the ideology was attracted by scientific achievements.
Idea Progress
As the name implies, Marxism-Leninism is a direction that is only based on Marxism, but created by Lenin. Both in the real work of this domestic political figure, and in his theoretical works, greatattention to the development of the idea of Marxism. As the communists noted in the program party documentation, this figure found himself in the new conditions of a changing history and comprehensively worked out the ideas of Marx, answering many questions. Through his efforts, the workers received weapons and the opportunity to carry out a revolution. He laid the foundation for the creation of socialism in our country, and also created a systematic scientific vision of the problems of war, peacetime.
As later they told about Marxism-Leninism in universities, all three aspects of ML were enriched and supplemented by Lenin's efforts. He worked on philosophy, dialectics, materials of history. Scientific communism was formed by his efforts. He also laid the foundations for the application of political economy in our country. Leninism is Marxism, taking into account the peculiarities of the imperialist era and the influence on the atmosphere of the revolutions of the proletariat. During the revolution of 1917, as noted in the party documentation, the art of Lenin as a politician, as well as his closest followers, became especially clearly visible. It was they who actually gave the whole world a unique lesson in revolutionary thinking, actions, didactics of the revolution.
Not a day in place
As they later talked about Marxism-Leninism in universities, as they talked about it in the addresses of prominent political figures of the Soviet Union published in all publications, the course of Lenin's thought was extraordinary, like his tactics, flexibility. This politician used non-standard working methods, quickly changed forms, based on the requirements of the situation, subjugated the Bolsheviks, whoseactivity also became flexible, corresponding to the state of affairs. With all this, one cannot deny the amazing courage of Lenin and the policies promoted by him. As party leaders later said, Lenin showed an excellent example of anti-dogmatic thinking, fundamentally new and fully dialectical.
With the death of Lenin, the institution of Marxism-Leninism did not cease to exist. This direction was developed by domestic communists, it was also supported, helped to improve related movements. Socialism, communism in the USSR and the experience of other countries that tried to create socialism are closely conditioned by Lenin's ideas. His teaching required taking into account all scientific discoveries, the latest information. The ML obliged to take into account the revolutionary movement of the workers, the international liberation movement. This is an international teaching of a universal nature. At some point, Soviet leaders could confidently say that this movement is actively expanding throughout the world, eradicating capitalism, affecting the world. So, Gorbachev said that ML is a creative principle, far from dogmatism, approving innovation, unity of theory and practice.
Terminology and understanding
In short, Marxism-Leninism is an independent designation of the ideologies that ruled in the socialist powers in the last century. This is a personal style. Conglomerates, initially characterized in this way, eventually faced the need to combat the cult of personality, as well as the consequences of such. This caused a changecurrent wording. ML began to be called the result of the collective work of the ruling circles. Particular emphasis was placed on distancing from charisma. Structurally, ML includes orthodox Marxism, Leninist teachings, and various regional theories of individual leaders. As modern researchers note, during the period when ML was especially relevant, the main postulates of the teachings were regularly changed, adjusting to the current interests of those in power.
Basic Ideology
Taught in the old days in all Soviet institutions, Marxism-Leninism was an ideology that was based on the need for a revolution to be controlled by the communist party. The ideology guides the thinking of the party as a community, as well as of all individuals, and practical activities. When Marx and Engels were just beginning to work on a theory that would acquire world significance in the future, they published a pamphlet on the principles of the communist movement. In this work, Engels formulated the essence of communism as a doctrine dedicated to the conquest of freedom by the proletariat. As briefly as possible, the author explained the essence of ideology as a theoretical basis for the complete freedom of workers, which is achievable only if a communist community can be built.
Subsequently, Stalin, speaking briefly about Marxism-Leninism, called Marxism a scientific vision of natural laws, social progress, as well as the doctrine of the exploited and those who are oppressed. He described Marxism as a scientific vision of socialist victory in the world, as the science of creating a society ruled by communism. This description givesa good idea of the breadth of the ML ideology. Science provides answers to questions related to both people and nature in general, covers everything. The second key aspect is the fact of connection with the revolution, which is organized by forces and in the interests of poor hard workers. At the same time, science tells about the creation of a communist, socialist society. Curious is the fact that the ML in its name keeps two great names - Marx, Lenin. No less important for ideology are Engels and Stalin. The first was a friend of Marx, the second continued the work of Lenin.
Lenin and the ideas of Marx
The doctrine created by Marx has existed for more than a century and a half. Lenin, developing his postulates, started from current historical events, the situation, and the characteristics of society. The history of Marxism-Leninism is determined by the period in which the domestic politician lived - these were turning points for the state, when the opportunists fought the communists, the second international gave way to the third. ML defends the main provisions of Marx's teachings and develops them. It is difficult to overestimate Lenin's contribution to ideology. He formulated the laws according to which capitalism develops in the imperialist era, and explained wars as a consequence of capitalism. He developed the theoretical base, put it into practice, organizing the revolution, clearly defined the essence of the proletarian dictatorship, laid down the principles of a socialist society and the general rules for its creation. Lenin gave guidance for action, laid the theoretical foundation for national movements. This affected the life of the colonies around the world. The national freedom movements proved to be closely connected with the socialist revolutionary actions that swept the whole world. He created a new party and secured its principles.
In the future, Stalin, promoting the ideas of Marxism-Leninism and defending them, made an invaluable contribution to the laws of socialism. Through his efforts, new principles for the creation of such a society emerged. He put them into practice during his period of power.
Historical Background
The doctrine, which subsequently gave the basis for the ideas of Marxism-Leninism, originated more than a century and a half ago. At first, these ideas were developed in the European powers, which at that time were the most developed on the planet. Many states, advanced in ancient times, were subordinate to Europe by the middle of the nineteenth century. Marx, Engels - natives of the advanced European regions, who lived in their native lands, working out the main provisions of their teaching. They were participants in the political events of those days, watched what was happening and influenced their contemporaries. In many ways, their ideology is due to the industrial revolution, which ended around the 30s of the same century. Although the center of this revolution was Great Britain, the events of that era affected the entire planet. For the first time, the world saw technical breakthroughs and industrial development. English dominance was such that this power was nicknamed the "world workshop", and the goods produced by its industrialists were sold all over the world.
From the point of view of Marxism-Leninism, the industrial revolution was the cause of major capitalist transformations. Beforehe did not have such power, but millionaires came out of the previously middle-class citizens. Such riches made these people especially strong. They had the opportunity to oppose the feudal system. However, at the same time, a proletariat appeared, a social class of thousands and thousands of workers who ensured the daily activities of factories and plants. The proletariat had the ability to work, self-confidence, due to the progress of industry and discipline, organization. The social position of the proletariat was such that it was the most prone to revolution, and at the same time it was also an impressive force - earlier history simply did not know a similar one.
Consciousness and power
From the point of view of Marxism-Leninism, history was made by the hands of the workers, the proletariat. In many ways, the birth of Marxism is due to capitalist victories and the establishment of such power in the major world powers, while the workers received a great power of self-consciousness. There were movements, organizations dedicated to the interests of the proletariat. From that moment on, this class became independent, aware of its power. First, the proletariat felt it in the French, English lands, gradually the wave spread to all industrial powers.
The living conditions of that time were such that uprisings were unavoidable. There were regular disturbances. There are cases when workers attacked their own factories and factories, destroying their jobs, and at the same time, their basis of life. The protests did not have a cleardirections, did not have special power, were quickly and harshly suppressed by the authorities.
Changes are observed around the 40s of that century. Marxism, which later became the basis of the ideology of Marxism-Leninism, appeared at a time when the proletarian movement was growing stronger and spreading like fire. Although at first it was weak, did not threaten the ruling coalition, yet that moment turned history upside down - an independent force appeared, new ideas to which this class obeyed, and Marxism became the main one. Compared to others, this ideology was distinguished by the presence of tools with which the workers could not only understand, but change the current conditions. This was the reason that in the future, Marxism turned out to be the only proletarian philosophical system.
Events in Russia: beginning
Our country has become one of those where the ideas of Marx spread especially early. When Capital was first translated into a foreign language, it was Russian. In 1872, the book saw the light of the day and immediately found itself among the best sellers. The influence of the materials was so significant that quotations from the works were heard during the student unrest of 73-74. Over time, other works of Marx were also translated into Russian. This happened almost immediately after their creation. Mostly domestic revolutionaries worked on translations. Among others, the merit of promoting the philosophy of Marxism-Leninism by Vera Zasulich, who communicated with Marx by letters from 1981, is especially valuable. In 1983, she participated in a Marxist organization, the first in the history of our country.
However, of course, the most important name isThis is the name of the founder of Marxism-Leninism, Lenin. This name is nothing more than a pseudonym, but it is known to the whole world. In reality, the man's name was Vladimir Ulyanov. He was born in Simbirsk in the 70s, at first he had very limited connections with the world, since the only transport was a steamboat, and in the winter season - horses. Lenin was born into the family of an educated man who left the peasantry for the intelligentsia, worked as a teacher, then as a director. In the 74th, he rose to official status, and in the 86th he died. Lenin's mother is the daughter of a doctor who received a home education and knew several foreign languages. She died in 1916. There were 8 children in the family, Lenin was the 4th. All his brothers and sisters supported the revolution in the future.
Ideas and their differences
Currently analyzed by many scientists, political scientists, sociologists, the theory of Marxism-Leninism still attracts the attention of numerous researchers. It stands out in a separate direction due to the specific differences due to the ideas of Lenin. They especially concern polyeconomic issues and the marketability of production. Marx proposed the idea of the absence of marketability, publishing in 1875 a work devoted to the Gotha program. From his reasoning on a society based on collectivism, it follows that the means of production are in common ownership, which means that producers cannot exchange products. Engels' opinion on this question was formulated three years later. This thinker proposed to regard a situation in which society owns allmeans of production, as an exception to commodity production. Accordingly, dominance over the manufacturer of his product remains in the past. Marx called for no longer considering labor power as a commodity.
Lenin was a faithful student of his Western colleagues. According to the classics, Marxism-Leninism is a movement to implement the calculations outlined in the works of Marx. In 1919, Lenin spoke about the first stage in the transformation of society into a communist one, but at the same time he spoke of the need to revive commodity production, and where it was preserved, to defend it. As the situation develops, there is a progress in views on commodity production. In the 21st, in the works on SRT, one can see the conclusion that the state product is the result of the labor of the social factory, in exchange for which they receive food. At the same time, one cannot speak of it as a politico-economic commodity: from a simple commodity it becomes something more. What exactly, Lenin does not formulate in 21st, leaving the term indefinite.
NEP and country experience
As can be seen from history, the basic ideas of Marxism-Leninism have been greatly transformed in the time left in the annals as the NEP. Lenin, observing the implementation of theory in practice, realized that market relations must be applied more widely, more productively. By the fall of the 21st, he determined the need to replace the exchange of goods with classical trade, since in reality such a substitution had already happened. In October of the same year, the figure spoke at a conference, where he admitted that the exchange of goods had broken down, transformed into a purchase and sale. Recognizing that in this aspect nothingsucceeded, given that the private market was stronger, he offered to face reality by accepting the fact that classical trading takes place.
Although the essence of Marxism-Leninism is the maximum adherence to the ideas of Marx, it can be seen that certain difficulties were observed in the practical application of theoretical calculations. In particular, the non-commodity proposed in the theory, when trying to create socialism in our country, turned out to be inapplicable, unrealizable. Marketability had to be recognized as an indispensable tool for controlling management at the state level. The politicization of this tool, as the leaders of that time admitted, transformed socialism into a subsistence economy.
State Capitalism
Marxism-Leninism is based on the idea of the absence of goods, expressed by Marx, but the problem of reality forced Lenin to reformulate the idea of state capitalism, calling it capitalism, which must be strictly limited, but so far it has not been possible to achieve this. Lenin admitted that it depended only on the leaders of his era what state capitalism would turn out to be. He also admitted that under conditions of revolution and democracy, the capitalism of the powers and monopolists would sooner or later lead to socialism. Monopoly capitalism, sovereign capitalism, as Lenin put it, is the material support of a socialist society.
Later, Trotsky spoke on this subject in the vein that before the 24th, no one who adhered to Marxism in Russia spoke of the possibility of creating a socialist community by forcesthe proletariat. State capitalism had a theoretical justification in the form of Lenin's material, published in the form of an article about petty-bourgeoisism. In this work, aspects of social and economic structures that are relevant for the state are especially highlighted. These include patriarchal natural economy, private economic capitalism, small production of goods, state capitalism, socialism.
Socialism: not so clear
Lenin's ideas were somewhat different from those expressed by Marx in terms of protecting the interests of ordinary hard workers. At the same time, there are differences in the typical affiliation of philosophy. In reality, where the people ruled, various socialist forms were formed. A peculiar system was in the USSR, the Germans and Bulgarians, Romanians and Cambodians had their own characteristics. In many ways, the ML that manifested itself in our country was determined by the productive forces and the level of their progress, the history of the state, the presence of external and internal supporters, opponents of the ideology.
Syndicalism existed in parallel. Lenin and Marx opposed this trend, considering it petty-bourgeois, since the interests of the individual person were placed above the public. In fact, Marxism is the ideology of ordinary workers, taking into account the natural type of management. ML can be characterized as a state-capitalist type. Syndicalism is a cooperative economic form.
