Definition, Ideals, and Sources Soviet Union Communism Definition, Ideals, and Sources Soviet Union

Definition Communism means that all people share equally in controlling the production and exchange of things of economic and social value. Demands the end of private wealth Calls for public ownership of all property and means of production Insists that: Exploitation of human beings must end Freedom must be universally achieved

Ideals of Communism Envisions an earthly paradise Explanation of history Strategy of revolutionary action

Earthly Paradise Envisions earthly paradise where all people have peace, plenty, community, and fulfillment Freedom for all (communist definition means no wage servitude, no political oppression, no social subjugation) Vision of itself as a cooperative, altruistic community (rather than an individualistic one concerned primarily with making profits)

Karl Marx Concept of History Human society has evolved through clashes of material forces, gradually moving towards a classless society where the community jointly owns all methods of production, distribution and exchange.

Factors underlying Marx’s view of History Materialism: belief that a society’s law, politics, ethics, religion, art, etc. are a reflection of underlying economic forces Class Struggle: result of economic struggle between bourgeoisie (oppressor) and proletariat (oppressed) Dialectical Change: a major societal change arising from the clash of two opposing ideas, forces, or social contradictions

Revolutionary Strategy (but how does change occur?) Classic Marxist: Three Stages Overthrow of capitalism (after it had developed the material conditions necessary to sustain the revolution) Revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat Communism Marx saw communism as an end goal that would be reached in a manner that was evolutionary, open, and democratic.

Communism in Reality Marx Lenin Stalin Mao Philosopher, although he wanted to understand the relationship between theory and practice in order to help transformation to communism Lenin Stalin Mao

V.I. Lenin: Context Lenin was operating in Russia in the early 20th century. Tzar ruled (autocratic & repressive) Agricultural society, little industrial development Economically backwards Weak bourgeoisie Few industrial proletariat Lots of peasantry

What happened in 1914?

WWI was Unique Opportunity Losses on battlefield / people didn’t want war; at least not this one Discontent on farms Discontent in factories So what did Lenin do, to bring his dream of Communism to fruition? hint: dance with the one that brung ya

What Happened Next Nicholas abdicated; entire family executed (spring, 1917) Provisional government put in place, which wanted to form liberal, democratic institutions Eight months later, Lenin-led communist forces overthrew provisional gov’t (Oct, 1917)

Marx and Lenin Difference: Transitory Period Lenin supported ‘advanced revolutionary theory’, i.e., that violent revolution was justified to get to period of transition (dictatorship of proletariat) Lenin did not see communism as coming from gradual reform, but that state power must be used to wipe out all of capitalism Lenin saw transitory period as lasting much longer than Marx thought it would take, as more changes had to occur moving from capitalism through socialism to communism

Joseph Stalin (ruler, 1928-1953) “Modifications” to Communism 1. Socialism in one country Lenin assumed Western European countries would follow Russia towards communism When it didn’t happen, Stalin argued that socialism had to be built in Russia, despite its lack of industry 2. Power of the Soviet state to build socialism Stalin accelerated industrialization Centralized, very strong government

Stalin’s Rationalizations? Needed strong state “in order to prepare the conditions for the withering away of state power” State power cannot wither away as long as it is “surrounded by the capitalist world [and] is subject to the menace of foreign military attack.”

Was Stalin a Communist Leader?

NO! Tyrannical dictator Prime example of a totalitarian ruler Party purges Phony show trials Mass executions Mass internments General suppression of all dissent