Difference

[Communismpwns]

Hi, I'm new to Communism and I don't really know or see any difference between Marxism and for example Leninism? So can someone tell me what the differences between all the theory's are?

[bloody_capitalist_sham]

Leninism is a term used on Revleft that is quite hotly disputed, simply because there are members who claim to be 'Marxist' but in reality are anarchists. So, they have a strong desire to shift Marxism away from Leninism towards anarchism, to the extent that some would think Bakunin was a Marxist!!!

Leninism, is a collection of ideas and practices that revolutionaries in Russia learned through the experience of the Russian Revolution.

Marx, was never in that situation.

And, since the Bolsheviks were Marxist (also so were the Mensheviks) they added to Marxism the experience of the Russian Revolution. But Lenin said that different conditions, meant different strategies and tactics.

Marxism, refers to both Marxist Theory, and socialist or communist political objectives. Primarily through revolutionary means. In that, Marxists reject 'reformism or electioneering' as a means to attaining a socialist revolution.

Marxist theory is very wide, but prominent parts are Historical Materialism, dialectical materialism (though this is also a matter of debate on Revleft these days), Labour Theory of Value, Monopoly capitalism, Base and Superstructure etc.

Leninism accepts that, and adds revolutionary organization, theory of imperialism and much more.

[ComradeRed]

This should be moved to Learning.

The truth of the matter is it lies in who you ask.

Most Leninists will deny the existence of Leninism, and identify everything as "Marxism".

In my opinion the best reference for vocabulary issues like this is Red Vocabulary (http://reds.linefeed.org/vocab.html). Now watch as every Leninist vehemently condemns it.

[Dros]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14, 2007 10:14 pm
Most Leninists will deny the existence of Leninism, and identify everything as "Marxism".

In my opinion the best reference for vocabulary issues like this is Red Vocabulary (http://reds.linefeed.org/vocab.html). Now watch as every Leninist vehemently condemns it.
I'm afraid I have to take you up on your offer.

Leninists openly identify as Leninists. I recognize the existance of non-Leninist Marxism (although I understand that most of it is, as Lenin said, "infantile"). I have never met a Marxist-Leninist who did not acknowledge the existance of other forms of Marxism.

As for a definition, Leninism is the revolutionary theory that is brought out of Vladamir Lenin's revolution in Russia. There are essentially two important points (although in reality there are many many more but just in terms of super basic understandin I'd say2).

1.) The need for a professional orginization of revolutionaries to act as a Vanguard and to form a Vanguard party to educate, organize, and lead the masses to complete their historic tasks. This party will be governed by democratic centralism. That is, the party will make decisions democratically but once the decision is made, party members must uphold party line regardless of whether or not they originally supported that particular line.

2.) A further analysis of imperialism.

As I said, there is much much much more. However, I can't spend the next year of my life explaining. I suggest you read Lenin for a more thorough understanding.

[Lynx]

What is Base and Superstructure?

[Robespierre2.0]

A simplified explanation of base and superstructure:

'Base' is the mode of production and the social order and class relations constructed around this. Slave society, Fuedal society, Capitalist society, and Socialist society are all different forms this 'base' can take.

'Superstructure' is the rest of society- art, culture, and technology. According to dialectal materialism, the superstructure is influenced by a combination of the material circumstances and the means of production.

[Die Neue Zeit]

^^^ A more important shift, however, is the "insertion" of organization as the "skeletal framework" between the base and the rest of the superstructure (what I call the "building skin").

[bootleg42]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14, 2007 09:15 pm
Hi, I'm new to Communism and I don't really know or see any difference between Marxism and for example Leninism? So can someone tell me what the differences between all the theory's are?
Yo everyone, this guy seems like a complete noob and you guys are going to confuse him so I'll TRY to keep it simple.

First communism is basically a classless (meaning there are NO classes) and stateless (meaning there are NO countries and official governments, ex U.S., China, etc) society where the means of productions (what is used to make products) are commonly owned.

Marxism is the theories by Marx, where he talked about class struggle, how the actual material conditions of people's lives affect their social relations, etc.

Leninism is about overthrowing the bourgeoisie and creating a state that educates the proletariat. The vanguard party would create such a revolution.

I could have put it more complicated but I was trying to put everything as simple as possible. No one flame me on it.

Also if a noob comes around asking for such help, try not to put things so complicated...you'll scare people away, lol.

[R_P_A_S]

uh im drunk. and dont worry about it. its dogmatic shit that will make u a dogmatic asshole.

cheers!