Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism

Main Ideas

• Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism is an analysis of economic and political changes in capitalist countries at the beginning of the 20th century.
• Lenin asserts that imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism, characterized by the monopolization of the economy, and the concentration of production and capital.
• The book describes five main features of imperialism: concentration of production and capital, formation of financial capital and financial oligarchy, export of capital, economic division of the world among international monopolistic alliances, and territorial division of the world among the largest capitalist powers.
• Lenin emphasizes that imperialism leads to increased inequality, exploitation, and conflicts between countries, ultimately resulting in wars.
• Imperialism is seen as a transitional stage to socialism, as the intensification of capitalism's contradictions creates the conditions for revolutionary changes.