Ok I Got A Commie Question

[captain anarchy]

ok i want to know what exactly is the difference between leninists and marxist and their veiws on communism. i tried going to the library and they didn't know how to get me that info they look at me weird. so if some one can explain this for me i'd appreiciate it.

[synthesis]

The short version is that Leninists believe that an elite, educated vanguard Party is necessary to create the conditions that will eventually lead to a stateless, classless society, whereas non-Leninist Marxists believe that the proletariat must emancipate itself, through conditions that have already been created by the natural processes of capitalism.

It is significantly more complex than I have painted it, but that is a reasonably concise answer to your question.

As this is a fairly basic question regarding Marxist theory, I think this would best belong in the 'New To It All' forum.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

You should also know that a vast majority of those who call themselves Marxists or communists are Marxist-Leninists. There are some exception, however. You see, Marx also envisioned a dictatorship of the proletariat and democratic centralism. Most non-Leninist "marxists" forgot to read that part. =D

So as you see, there's plenty of conflict here.

[Mute]

You should also know that a vast majority of those who call themselves Marxists or communists are Marxist-Leninists. There are some exception, however. You see, Marx also envisioned a dictatorship of the proletariat and democratic centralism. Most non-Leninist "marxists" forgot to read that part.

So as you see, there's plenty of conflict here.

That's idiotic. Leninists use Marxism the way Christians use the bible: completely exagerate a few ideas while forgetting about the greater bulk.

[STI]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2004, 06:09 AM
You should also know that a vast majority of those who call themselves Marxists or communists are Marxist-Leninists. There are some exception, however. You see, Marx also envisioned a dictatorship of the proletariat and democratic centralism. Most non-Leninist "marxists" forgot to read that part. =D

So as you see, there's plenty of conflict here.
Actually, lib. Marxists DO believe in a DOtP, just not a centralized one run by an elite.

[ComradeRed]

Yes, there are some conflicts of belief on several grounds:
#Dialectics("hard core" Leninists use dialectics as a religion, others reject it in its entirety)
#Materialism(an alternate type of analysis as opposed to Dialectics)
#Centralization and super-organization in the dictatorship of the proletariat(Leninism wants it, Marxists do not)
#Economics(Leninism kinda cares about the LTV, Marxists regard it highly otherwise reject in its entirety)
#Leninism wants a "vanguard party" with professional revolutionaries, marxists want the working class to emancipate themselves.

That is basically it ;)

[Essential Insignificance]

Leninists use Marxism the way Christians use the bible: completely exagerate a few ideas while forgetting about the greater bulk.

I must add... the former is a "pardonable" offence, the latter is not... political "orientation" gives leniency to interpretation, religious orientation is absolute -- for the most part, anyway.

They are two totally different "things".

[The Feral Underclass]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2004, 08:09 AM
Marx...envisioned...democratic centralism. Most non-Leninist "marxists" forgot to read that part. =D
Where did he say that? I haven't read it, because there's nothing to read about it. Not from Marx anyway.

[Bolshevist]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2004, 02:06 AM
Yes, there are some conflicts of belief on several grounds:
#Dialectics("hard core" Leninists use dialectics as a religion, others reject it in its entirety)
#Materialism(an alternate type of analysis as opposed to Dialectics)
#Centralization and super-organization in the dictatorship of the proletariat(Leninism wants it, Marxists do not)
#Economics(Leninism kinda cares about the LTV, Marxists regard it highly otherwise reject in its entirety)
#Leninism wants a "vanguard party" with professional revolutionaries, marxists want the working class to emancipate themselves.

That is basically it ;)
You have not read much of Lenin I can tell.

[king Royale]

If you want a brief explanation of marxism just read the communist manifesto. You'll easily be able to find a free copy online. From there just check out other books.

[Essential Insignificance]

Nice idea, king Royale.

Here you go, captain anarchy, The Communist Manifesto (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm) by Karl Marx & Frederick Engels.

Also check out a much simpler work "about" communism by Engel's The Principles of Communism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm).

And for a Leninist "perspective" checkout What Is To Be Done? (http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1901/witbd/index.htm) By Valdimir Lenin.

Happy reading!