Classics of Marxism: Difference between revisions
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Vladimir Lenin developed the theory of classical Marxism (i.e. that of Marx and Engels) into what would become [[Marxism–Leninism]] — Marxism in the age of [[imperialism]] and [[socialist revolution]]. He led the [[Bolsheviks]] through years of revolutionary struggle against the [[Reaction|reactionary]] [[Russian Empire|Tsarist autocracy]] until establishing one of the world's first [[Socialist state|socialist states]] in 1917 during the [[Great October Socialist Revolution]].<ref>Joseph Stalin (1924). ''[https://foreignlanguages.press/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C01-Foundations-of-Leninism.pdf Foundations of Leninism] – Introduction'' | Vladimir Lenin developed the theory of classical Marxism (i.e. that of Marx and Engels) into what would become [[Marxism–Leninism]] — Marxism in the age of [[imperialism]] and [[socialist revolution]]. He led the [[Bolsheviks]] through years of revolutionary struggle against the [[Reaction|reactionary]] [[Russian Empire|Tsarist autocracy]] until establishing one of the world's first [[Socialist state|socialist states]] in 1917 during the [[Great October Socialist Revolution]].<ref>Joseph Stalin (1924). ''[https://foreignlanguages.press/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C01-Foundations-of-Leninism.pdf Foundations of Leninism] – Introduction'' | ||
<br><br>''"Leninism is Marxism of the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. To be more exact, Leninism is the theory and tactics of the proletarian revolution in general, the theory and tactics of the dictatorship of the proletariat in particular. Marx and Engels pursued their activities in the pre-revolutionary period (we have the proletarian revolution in mind), when developed imperialism did not yet exist, in the period of the proletarians’ preparation for revolution, in the period when the proletarian revolution was not yet an immediate practical inevitability. But Lenin, the disciple of Marx and Engels, pursued his activities in the period of developed imperialism, in the period of the unfolding proletarian revolution, when the proletarian revolution had already triumphed in one country, had smashed bourgeois democracy and had ushered in the era of proletarian democracy, the era of the Soviets."'' | <br><br><blockquote>''"Leninism is Marxism of the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. To be more exact, Leninism is the theory and tactics of the proletarian revolution in general, the theory and tactics of the dictatorship of the proletariat in particular. Marx and Engels pursued their activities in the pre-revolutionary period (we have the proletarian revolution in mind), when developed imperialism did not yet exist, in the period of the proletarians’ preparation for revolution, in the period when the proletarian revolution was not yet an immediate practical inevitability. But Lenin, the disciple of Marx and Engels, pursued his activities in the period of developed imperialism, in the period of the unfolding proletarian revolution, when the proletarian revolution had already triumphed in one country, had smashed bourgeois democracy and had ushered in the era of proletarian democracy, the era of the Soviets."'' | ||
<br><br>''"That is why Leninism is the further development of Marxism."''</ref> | <br><br>''"That is why Leninism is the further development of Marxism."''</blockquote></ref> | ||
===Joseph Stalin=== | ===Joseph Stalin=== | ||
Revision as of 19:33, 16 February 2025
The four classics of Marxism, or MELS, the four heads of communism, along with other variations, refers to the original Marxist theorists who significantly augmented the body of revolutionary theory. The four classics are Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin, and Joseph Stalin.
Followers of revisionist trends, particularly Dengists and Maoists, include Mao Zedong as the fifth classic of Marxism for his alleged contributions to theory. Many Maoists omit Stalin entirely in favor of Abimael Guzmán, in congruence with their anti-Stalinist leanings. Likewise, another brand of revisionism upholds Enver Hoxha as a fifth classic,[1] and propagates his inconsistency within its leading organs.
Classic theorists
The following theorists are considered to be classics by Marxist–Leninists.
Karl Marx
Karl Marx is considered the primary founder of Marxism alongside Engels. Among his many theoretical developments include the development of the materialist conception of history and enumeration of various aspects of political economy, including the role of surplus-value in the capitalist mode of production.[2]
Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels is considered the second foundational theorist of Marxism. He was a close partner and friend of Marx who financed and otherwise aided Marx's efforts. When Marx focused on developing matters of political economy, Engels would often focus on developing theory relating to philosophy and sociology. Engels' works include The Principles of Communism, Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, and The German Ideology.
Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Lenin developed the theory of classical Marxism (i.e. that of Marx and Engels) into what would become Marxism–Leninism — Marxism in the age of imperialism and socialist revolution. He led the Bolsheviks through years of revolutionary struggle against the reactionary Tsarist autocracy until establishing one of the world's first socialist states in 1917 during the Great October Socialist Revolution.[3]
Joseph Stalin
See also
References
- ↑ "Who are the Five Classics of Marxism-Leninism?". The Espresso Stalinist
- ↑ Friedrich Engels (1878). Anti-Dühring. Available on the Marxists Internet Archive.
"These two great discoveries, the materialist conception of history and the revelation of the secret of capitalistic production through surplus-value, we owe to Marx. With these discoveries socialism became a science. The next thing was to work out all its details and relations."
- ↑ Joseph Stalin (1924). Foundations of Leninism – Introduction
"Leninism is Marxism of the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. To be more exact, Leninism is the theory and tactics of the proletarian revolution in general, the theory and tactics of the dictatorship of the proletariat in particular. Marx and Engels pursued their activities in the pre-revolutionary period (we have the proletarian revolution in mind), when developed imperialism did not yet exist, in the period of the proletarians’ preparation for revolution, in the period when the proletarian revolution was not yet an immediate practical inevitability. But Lenin, the disciple of Marx and Engels, pursued his activities in the period of developed imperialism, in the period of the unfolding proletarian revolution, when the proletarian revolution had already triumphed in one country, had smashed bourgeois democracy and had ushered in the era of proletarian democracy, the era of the Soviets."
"That is why Leninism is the further development of Marxism."