Criticism: Difference between revisions
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'''Criticism''' is a method of exposing the contradictions, flaws, and issues something, commonly in relation to social development, [[ideology]], [[Mode of production|modes of production]], and many other topics. '''Self-criticism''' refers to critical analysis of the issues or contradictions of one's self or their organization, and is a core aspect in the development of [[Communist party|communist parties]]. Criticism is also a crucial aspect in the process of [[Socialism|socialist]] construction, allowing the [[Dictatorship of the proletariat|workers' state]] to become aware of unresolved issues and contradictions among the masses.<ref>"Criticism and Self-Criticism". ''[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]''. </ref><ref>Vladimir Lenin. ''Collected Works'', Vol. XXV, p. 200.<br><small><blockquote>"The attitude of a political party towards its own mistakes is one of the most important and surest ways of judging how earnest the party is and how it in practice fulfills its obligation towards its class and the toiling masses. Frankly admitting a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analysing the circumstances which gave rise to it, and thoroughly discussing the means of correcting it--that is the earmark of a serious party; that is the way it should perform its duties, that is the way it should educate and train the class, and then the masses"</blockquote></small></ref> | '''Criticism''' is a method of exposing the contradictions, flaws, and issues in something, commonly in relation to social development, [[ideology]], [[Mode of production|modes of production]], and many other topics. '''Self-criticism''' refers to critical analysis of the issues or contradictions of one's self or their organization, and is a core aspect in the development of [[Communist party|communist parties]]. Criticism is also a crucial aspect in the process of [[Socialism|socialist]] construction, allowing the [[Dictatorship of the proletariat|workers' state]] to become aware of unresolved issues and contradictions among the masses.<ref>"Criticism and Self-Criticism". ''[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]''. </ref><ref>Vladimir Lenin. ''Collected Works'', Vol. XXV, p. 200.<br><small><blockquote>"The attitude of a political party towards its own mistakes is one of the most important and surest ways of judging how earnest the party is and how it in practice fulfills its obligation towards its class and the toiling masses. Frankly admitting a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analysing the circumstances which gave rise to it, and thoroughly discussing the means of correcting it--that is the earmark of a serious party; that is the way it should perform its duties, that is the way it should educate and train the class, and then the masses"</blockquote></small></ref> | ||
<blockquote>"Frankly acknowledging a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analyzing the conditions that have led up to it, and thrashing out the means of its rectification—that is the hallmark of a serious party; that is how it should perform its duties, and how it should educate and train its class, and then the masses." —[[Vladimir Lenin]], ''[[“Left-Wing” Communism: an Infantile Disorder]]''</blockquote> | <blockquote>"Frankly acknowledging a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analyzing the conditions that have led up to it, and thrashing out the means of its rectification—that is the hallmark of a serious party; that is how it should perform its duties, and how it should educate and train its class, and then the masses." —[[Vladimir Lenin]], ''[[“Left-Wing” Communism: an Infantile Disorder]]''</blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 17 November 2025
Criticism is a method of exposing the contradictions, flaws, and issues in something, commonly in relation to social development, ideology, modes of production, and many other topics. Self-criticism refers to critical analysis of the issues or contradictions of one's self or their organization, and is a core aspect in the development of communist parties. Criticism is also a crucial aspect in the process of socialist construction, allowing the workers' state to become aware of unresolved issues and contradictions among the masses.[1][2]
"Frankly acknowledging a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analyzing the conditions that have led up to it, and thrashing out the means of its rectification—that is the hallmark of a serious party; that is how it should perform its duties, and how it should educate and train its class, and then the masses." —Vladimir Lenin, “Left-Wing” Communism: an Infantile Disorder
The objective basis of criticism and self-criticism is found in the contradictory process of historical development, in the differences in the social interests of classes and groups, and in the struggle between the new and the old, between the progressive and the reactionary, which occurs in all spheres of social life and in the consciousness of people. Karl Marx famously stressed the need for "ruthless criticism of all that exists," without fears of what critical perspectives could discover or how the ruling class may react to it.[3]
References
- ↑ "Criticism and Self-Criticism". Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin. Collected Works, Vol. XXV, p. 200.
"The attitude of a political party towards its own mistakes is one of the most important and surest ways of judging how earnest the party is and how it in practice fulfills its obligation towards its class and the toiling masses. Frankly admitting a mistake, ascertaining the reasons for it, analysing the circumstances which gave rise to it, and thoroughly discussing the means of correcting it--that is the earmark of a serious party; that is the way it should perform its duties, that is the way it should educate and train the class, and then the masses"
- ↑ Karl Marx. Marx to Ruge, Kreuznach, September 1843. Available on the Marxists Internet Archive.
"Hitherto philosophers have had the solution of all riddles lying in their writing-desks, and the stupid, exoteric world had only to open its mouth for the roast pigeons of absolute knowledge to fly into it. Now philosophy has become mundane, and the most striking proof of this is that philosophical consciousness itself has been drawn into the torment of the struggle, not only externally but also internally. But, if constructing the future and settling everything for all times are not our affair, it is all the more clear what we have to accomplish at present: I am referring to ruthless criticism of all that exists, ruthless both in the sense of not being afraid of the results it arrives at and in the sense of being just as little afraid of conflict with the powers that be."
