On April 22nd, 1870, Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov “Lenin,” hero of the Russian Revolution, and architect of the world’s first Socialist state, was born. His contributions to the Marxist canon and to the revolutionary theory and practice of the proletariat throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of imperialism, the right of nations to self-determination, and revolutionary strategy have played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.

He also loved cats!

Some significant works:

What is to be Done?

Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism

The State and Revolution

“Left-Wing” Communism

The Right of Nations to Self-Determination

Materialism and Empirio-Criticism

The Tax in Kind

Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don’t know where to start? Check out my “Read Theory, Darn it!” introductory reading list!

  • Jorge@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Would you say that communists should not concentrate our energies attempting to prevent liberal democracy from turning into fascism? Like supporting social-democratic parties to keep fascists away. My understanding is that liberal “democracy” has some temporary advantages over fascism, but is not worth much energy.

    Fascism is more acutely violent, but also temporary. Hitler initiated a war against much of the World, which he could not win. He was also incompetent. Out of insane hubris, he bypassed his generals and military strategists, because he was the chosen genius. Allegedly he didn’t have a real strategy to defeat the British Empire. He wanted to win the war by winning battle after battle. Thus he was defeated (largely by the Red Army), and “only” some 80 million lives were lost.

    Liberal “democracy”, on the other hand, kills ten million people every few years, for centuries.

    Fascism is brutal, crass, and visibly hateful. Liberal “democracy” is sophisticated, less acutely violent, and is falsely compassionate, but is also more competent at preserving itself and making victims.

    • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.mlOP
      7·
      2 days ago

      Social Democracy is the twin of fascism. Both arise as mechanisms to defend against the decay of Capitalism, the former through bribery, the latter through brutality.

      In my opinion, it depends on if the country is Imperialist, or Imperialized. If the Social Democratic movement in an Imperialized country is a national liberation movement, and thus moves against Imperialism, it should be supported. Socialism should still be supported over Social Democracy, but critical support for Capitalist countries fighting against Imperialism is important as Imperialism is the primary contradiction.

      In the Imperial core, both should be firmly opposed. Social Democracy may be preferable over fascism, but both perpetuate Imperialism and thus both are to be opposed. Both will root out Communism if it poses a threat, with equal or near equal vigor.