The Soviet: Bolshevism, Leninism, Marxism

[Sammi]

I'm a fairly new believer (only a few months now) in Marx's theories so bare with me..

What is the Difference Between Leninism and Marxism? From a few Articles I've read they say Lenin put a spin/queered Marx's work to suit his lust for power..?

Is Bolshevism and Leninism the same thing under different titles?

How much of Lenin's theories did the Soviet follow and when if they did put into work Capitalist reform? I've heard as early as the early 70's..

Any books that cover these questions you can point me to would be great. Thanks for any replies.

[Sammi]

Also Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. I wasn't sure which one was the correct one to ask these questions..

[Nateddi]

this is the "show me the differences between various socialists theories" thread #1,522

[Sammi]

Thank you. That was very helpful.

[Sammi]

*sigh* Only one basically is a theory question...

[man in the red suit]

capitalist reforms came in the late 80's with Mikhail Gorbachev.

I also don't think that Lenin really had any "lust for power" you are probably thinking of stalin there.

I think Lenin made a more articualte and detailed description of Marx. But otherwise I would say that they are close to the same.

[Ian]

Sammi, Leninism is a form of marxist theory that does not totally acknowledge the need for a bourgeois revolution, or the industrialization or a society, before a proletarian revolution, I do not disagree with this but I do believe an industrialization is preferable.
The reason Lenin decided to defer industrialization until after the proletarian revolution is because the environment was perfect for revolution, except for the afore-mentioned lacking ingredient, there was a war on, people didn't want this war, there was terrible inflation (3 months of proletarian wage could buy you a pair of shoes source: Ten Days That Shook The World by John Reed) and internal problems such as the collapse of tsardom.

Check out http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progres...ss/marxism.html (http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/marxism.html)

[Sammi]

Thank you for the Help, Ian Rocks and Man in the red suit.

[Ian]

No worries Sammi, I'm relatively new myself (7 or 8 months) and I remember all the help I recieved. I probably couldn't have sifted through everything myself (although I did read a lot) and it helped to have friends willing to explain.

[Marxman]

I suggest you go to www.marxists.org and check the encyclopedia there, Sammi.

[Anonymous]

"I think Lenin made a more articualte and detailed description of Marx. But otherwise I would say that they are close to the same. "

Thats why its called "Marxism-leninism" and not leninism, Lenin put in practice marx´s theorys! i think that its basicly the same think!

[Marxman]

Marxism/Leninism/Bolshevism/Trotskyism are the pieces of the same puzzle called Communism.