Trotskyism
Trotskyism is an opportunist and revisionist political tendency founded by Leon Trotsky and his supporters. Although it presents itself as a true continuation of Vladimir Lenin's developments and opposes Marxism–Leninism and the legacy of Joseph Stalin on that basis, it distorts, omits, and revises core aspects of Leninist theory such as socialism in one country and two stage theory.[1]
Adherents of Trotskyism commonly use left phrases and symbols, however, they have historically served a reactionary and counter-revolutionary function in their practical deeds, opposing Leninist formations and impeding socialist construction.[2]
Ideology
Permanent Revolution vs. Marxism
Trotsky’s permanent revolution theory, influenced by Parvus, argued that socialism in Russia depended on simultaneous revolutions in Europe. He rejected Lenin’s strategy of a worker-peasant alliance and dismissed the feasibility of socialism in one country. Lenin countered Trotsky’s skepticism, arguing that uneven capitalist development allowed for socialism to emerge in a single nation, which would then support global proletarian movements. This fundamental disagreement between Lenin and Trotsky shaped their ideological split.
Stance on the European Union
Trotskyists fail to recognize the EU’s imperialist nature, often supporting the idea of a United States of Europe, a concept rooted in Kautsky’s ultra-imperialism. Lenin rejected this slogan, emphasizing that socialism must develop within national frameworks before spreading internationally.
Factionalism
Unlike Lenin, who condemned factionalism as divisive, Trotsky promoted internal party splits. He justified permanent ideological conflict, weakening the revolutionary movement. His insistence on factionalism reflects his inability to build a disciplined, unified proletarian organization.
History
Trotsky’s Revisionism Before 1917
Trotsky opposed Lenin’s party model from the outset. At the 1903 RSDLP Congress, he sided with the Mensheviks, opposing Lenin’s centralized party concept. In Our Political Tasks (1904), he accused Lenin of manipulating Marxism. From 1910-1914, Trotsky attempted to mediate between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks but ultimately aligned with the latter. During World War I, he adopted a centrist position, advocating reconciliation between revolutionary socialists and opportunists. His opposition to Lenin’s strategic vision foreshadowed his future conflicts with the Bolsheviks.
Trotsky in the October Uprising
Trotsky’s role in the October Revolution is often exaggerated. He was not part of the Party Center directing the uprising and made a crucial mistake by publicly revealing the planned date of the Bolshevik seizure of power. This forced the Central Committee to adjust their strategy. Some accounts suggest he preferred a legalistic approach, delaying armed action until the Second Congress of Soviets, which could have jeopardized the revolution.
Trotsky in the Civil War
During the Brest-Litovsk Treaty negotiations, Trotsky defied Lenin by adopting a “no war, no peace” policy, leading to renewed German attacks. Lenin was forced to intervene to secure peace and protect the revolution. Trotsky’s opposition to the treaty demonstrated his political immaturity and disregard for pragmatic revolutionary strategy. His defeatist stance also aligned him with Bukharin’s faction, which sought an unwinnable revolutionary war.
Trotsky's "creation" of the Red Army
The Red Army was established by Lenin’s decree on January 28, 1918, with leaders such as Podvoisky, Eremeyev, and Krylenko organizing its foundation. Trotsky was not initially involved. His later role as Chairman of the Supreme Military Council did not make him the army’s creator. Many of the fundamental structures of the Red Army existed before his appointment, contradicting the claim that he “built” it.
Trotsky and the Defeat of White Army Leaders
Trotsky did not personally lead the Red Army to victory against Kolchak and Denikin. Commanders such as Kamenev, Frunze, and Budyonny played key roles. Trotsky’s strategic mistakes, including his reliance on former Tsarist officers and opposition to military commissars, often created obstacles rather than solutions.
Trotsky’s Role in the Red Army
Trotsky’s military leadership was marked by failures. He obstructed the defense of Tsaritsyn, nearly allowing it to fall. His mismanagement of the Southern Front let White forces advance dangerously close to Moscow. During the Polish-Soviet War, his poor coordination led to a disastrous retreat. His policies left the Red Army disorganized, requiring Frunze to restructure it after Trotsky’s removal.
Trotsky’s Opposition to the New Economic Policy
The NEP, introduced by Lenin, was meant to bridge socialism with the peasant economy. Trotsky misinterpreted it as a purely economic measure, failing to grasp its political significance. His alternative proposals favored kulaks, undermining the worker-peasant alliance necessary for socialist construction.
Trotsky and the Trade Union Debate
Trotsky argued for turning trade unions into direct state organs, a position criticized by Lenin and Stalin as syndicalist and anti-Marxist. Lenin emphasized that trade unions must retain their role in defending workers’ interests within the Soviet state, ensuring proletarian democracy.
Trotsky Against the Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection
The Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection (NK WPI) was established to fight bureaucracy by involving workers in state oversight. Stalin led these efforts, but Trotsky opposed them, undermining attempts to proletarianize governance. His resistance to mass participation in state control reflected his elitist, anti-democratic tendencies.
Trotskyism (1923-1930)
Trotsky and his followers sought to legalize factions within the Communist Party, forming the Trotskyist-Zinoviev bloc. Their opposition to the Party’s direction threatened unity and socialist construction. Stalin’s writings, including Trotskyism or Leninism?, exposed their counter-revolutionary nature, leading to Trotsky’s expulsion in 1927 and exile in 1929.
Present-Day Trotskyism
Trotskyism continues to serve imperialist interests by opposing socialist states and promoting division within leftist movements. Trotskyites have collaborated with reactionary forces in Spain, Korea, and Iran, consistently siding with counter-revolutionaries under the guise of “democratic socialism”.
Features of Modern Trotskyism
Modern Trotskyists claim to be revolutionary while undermining actual socialist movements. Their alliance with right-wing social democrats and revisionists exposes their reactionary nature. Their attacks on Marxism-Leninism serve imperialist interests, making them an anti-communist force masquerading as socialist.
Trotskyism’s Revival and Its Dangers
Trotskyism resurfaced after Khrushchev’s anti-Stalin campaign, infiltrating leftist movements to divert them from revolutionary Marxism. It thrives on the petty-bourgeois instability of intellectuals and students, serving as a bourgeois tool.
Features of Modern Trotskyism
Modern Trotskyists claim to be revolutionary while undermining actual socialist movements. Their alliance with right-wing social democrats and revisionists exposes their reactionary nature. Their attacks on Marxism-Leninism serve imperialist interests, making them an anti-communist force masquerading as socialist.
See also
Further reading
- Trotskyism or Leninism? (1924), by Joseph Stalin
- Trotsky's "Amalgams" (2015), by Grover Furr
- Leon Trotsky's Collaboration with Germany and Japan (2017), by Grover Furr
- Trotsky's Lies (2017), by Grover Furr
- Trotsky and the Military Conspiracy (2019), by Grover Furr, Vladimir L. Bobrov, and Sven-Eric Holmström
- The Fraud of the Dewey Commission: Leon Trotsky's Lies (2018), by Grover Furr
- Trotskyism: Counter-revolution in Disguise (1935), by Moissaye Joseph Olgin
- Leninism or Trotskyism? (1925), by Lev Kamenev
References
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin (1914). Disruption of Unity Under Cover of Outcries for Unity. Prosveshcheniye No. 5. Available on the Marxists Internet Archive.
- ↑ Joseph Stalin (1927). The Trotskyist Opposition Before and Now. Available on the Marxists Internet Archive.