Re: Ruthless struggle and merciless blows

[m-14970@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Hugh Rodwell)]

The following passage by Lenin is quoted by Stalin and brought to our
notice by Chris:

>"On the eve of a revolution, and at a moment when a most fierce
>struggle is being waged for its victory, the slightest wavering
>in the ranks of the Party, may *wreck everything*, frustrate the
>revolution, wrest power from the hands of the proletariat;
>for this power is not yet consolidated, the attack upon it is still
>very strong. The desertion of wavering leaders at such a time
>does not weaken but strengthens the Party, the working class
>movement and the revolution."

The irony of this is that Stalin himself was a complete waverer during 1917
up to and including October -- he spent most of the time skulking in the
Pravda offices with Molotov. Lenin spoke more truly than he perhaps knew!

Chris goes on to say:

>It is also interesting IMO that in the later thirties both
>Trotsky and Mao stressed the importance of emphasising dialectics
>in the study of marxism.

But he forgets to tell us just why it's so interesting!

So come on Chris, don't keep us hanging in suspense!

Cheers,

Hugh

PS Isn't it amazing how *numbing* it is to read Stalin? He had a real flair
for finding quotes whose main function was to shut people up and stop them
thinking.




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