This writing is intended for those who have a fundamental understanding of socialism. For those newer to these concepts, please read my introduction to socialism first.
1. What is Marxism–Leninism?
Marxism–Leninism is a scientific framework and means of analysis for understanding class struggle, revolution, and other topics. It was the ideological arsenal of the working class.
2. How does Marxism–Leninism relate to Marxism?
Marxism–Leninism is the iteration of Marxism in the era of rising imperialism. When Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed their body of theories (known in the present as "classical Marxism"), they did so in accord with the conditions of their times (the 1800s). When Vladimir Lenin emerged as a revolutionary leader, he, as a Marxist, used the means of understanding reality developed by Marx and Engels to develop Marxism in accord with his conditions of imperialism (advanced monopoly capitalism) and socialist revolution.
3. What does Marxism–Leninism teach us?
Leninism, as a higher stage of Marxism, contains the same theoretical basis of Marxism, namely:
1. Dialectical and historical materialism
2. Marxian economics
3. Scientific socialism
These aspects have not changed with the development of Marxism–Leninism.[1] Rather they have been augmented (Maintained and expanded upon) for present conditions. Leninism in particular details the nature of modern capitalism in its imperialist form, the need for a vanguard party,[2] details on the dictatorship of the proletariat,[3] socialist construction, etc.
4. What is the necessity of Marxism–Leninism?
The need for revolutionaries to adopt Marxism–Leninism as their world outlook stems from the conditions of modern capitalism. In the present time, the capitalist system has changed from that which was analyzed by Marx and Engels. Leninism provides us with an understanding of the present imperialist, decaying capitalism and the particular tasks of the socialist revolution.
It is through Leninism that we develop an understanding of the need for a vanguard party, how to deal with inter-imperialist struggle, the precise aims of the dictatorship of the proletariat, etc. To have such formations and understandings is a requirement to defeat capitalism-imperialism.
5. What is the relation between Marxism–Leninism and "Stalinism"?
Marxist–Leninists are often referred to (largely by supporters of the capitalist system) as "Stalinists". Therefore, it would be natural to presume that "Stalinists" is inherently a negative label, particularly when capitulating to capitalist propaganda which attacks the Soviet Union.
"Stalinism" has two main uses:
1. The anti-communist pejorative. In this sense, "Stalinism" is being used erroneously to attack Marxist–Leninists or even revisionists by those who oppose socialism or even nominal "socialists" (e.g. Trotskyists). In this sense of "Stalinism" being used by anti-Stalinists, it can be firmly rejected.
2. The communist reclamation of it. In this sense, we may proudly call ourselves "Stalinists", for it is an honor to be a follower of a leader who built one of the first socialist states in human history, fought and defeated so many forms of reaction and fascism, and put into practice the theory which was developed by Lenin. In that regard, we are "Stalinists".
6. What are the historic examples of Marxist–Leninist countries?
Marxism–Leninism, as the world outlook of revolutionary workers, has succeeded in overthrowing the bourgeoisie in various countries. These countries include the Soviet Union, people's democracies of Eastern Europe, etc. The Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin in particular (until 1953) represents a model example of a socialist society which built itself from a medieval backwater to a modernized socialist superpower in the course of merely a few decades.
However, the Western bourgeoisie, fearful to the end of communism, have sought to label any state which opposes them as "communist". To them, merely having socialist symbols of rhetoric means a country has achieved socialism. This could not be further from the truth. The "communist" states of China, North Korea, Cuba, etc. have little to do with socialism, and in fact share much more in common with fascism. Their ruling cliques simply use "Marxist–Leninist" symbols and rhetoric to deceive their workers. It is the unfortunate reality that there exist no Marxist–Leninist states in the present.
Notes
- Hence why it is called Marxism–Leninism, the dash indicating their relation.
- A party composed of the most politically advanced workers.
- The state controlled by the working class after the capitalists are overthrown.