Foundations of Leninism

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

This is the second or third time that the status of
Foundations of Leninism (Stalin 1924) has been discussed
on this list, and IMO it has become clear that it is
a key text for clarifying the degree of theoretical
continuity between Lenin and Stalin, and the split
between the admirers of Trotsky and the admirers of
Lenin, (at least as the tradition was handed down through the
parties of the 3rd International).

It will be useful if anyone can make it available for
the ME archives.

But first Hugh raises a textual issue which is
clearly a major one, which has implications for
whether on this list we are able at all to have any
serious argument about the history of this period
even allowing for the fact that to imagine there
could be an unbiassed history is impossible. But
at least the terms of the debate could be clarified.

Hugh states that there were several versions of
Foundations of Leninism, and further that the changes
were due to censorship. I don't see that political
allegation necessarily follows, but first Hugh could you please
state your sources for this, and for the quote which you gave
as *February* 1924, although footnotes to the editions
I have access to, descibe the lectures as having
been published in Pravda in April and May?


A) Hugh Rodwell
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 1996 15:58:16 +0100


Also it's very important to know what part of 1924 we're looking at. Stalin
wrote the following in February 1924:

        The overthrow of the power of the bourgeoisie and the establishment
of a proletarian government  in one country does not yet guarantee the
complete victory of  socialism. The main task of socialism -- the
organization of socialist production -- remains ahead. Can this task be
accomplished, can the final victory of socialism in one country be
attained, without the joint efforts of the proletariat of several advanced
countries? No, this is impossible. To overthrow the bourgeoisie, the
efforts of one country are sufficient -- the history of our revolution
bears this out. For the final victory of Socialism, for the organization of
socialist production, the efforts of one country, particularly of such a
peasant country as Russia, are insufficient. For this the efforts of the
proletarians of several advanced countries are necessary.

        Such on the whole, are the characteristic features of the Leninist
theory of the proletarian revolution.

(Foundations of Leninism)


B) The last three paragraphs of section 3 ("Theory") of
Foundations of Leninism as printed in the formerly widely
available 1975 edition published by Foreign Languages Press
Peking. (This particular passage in English is identical with the text
published in Volume 5 of JV Stalin Works, 1953 by Foreign
Languages Publishing House, Moscow, as far as I can see.)



"But the overthrow of the power of the bourgeoisie
and establishment of the power of the proletariat in one
country does not yet mean that the complete victory of
socialism has been ensured. After consolidating its power
and leading the peasantry in its wake the proletariat of
the victorious country can and must build a socialist
society. But does this mean that it will thereby achieve
the complete and final victory of socialism, i.e. does
it mean that with the forces of only one country it can
finally consolidate socialism and fully guarantee
that country against intervention and, consequently,
also against restoration? No, it does not. For this the
victory of the revolution in at least several countries
is needed. Therefore, the development and support of
the revolution in other countries is an essential task
of the victorious revolution. Therefore, the revolution
which has been victorious in one country must regard itself
not as a self-sufficient entity, but as an aid, as a means
for hastening the victory of the proletariat in other
countries.

Lenin expressed this thought succinctly when he said that
the task of the victorious revolution is to do 'the utmost
possible in one country *for* the development, support
and awakening of the revolution *in all countries*.
(See Vol. XXIII p385. [Peking edn footnote: "The Proletarian
Revolution and the Renegade Kautsky", Oct-Nov 1918])

These, in general, are the characteristic features of
Lenin's theory of proletarian revolution."

[end of section 3]






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