What Is to Be Done?

Summary

The book «What Is to Be Done?» by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin is one of the key works in Marxist theory and practice. In it, Lenin presents his views on organizing the revolutionary movement and the role of the party in the struggle for socialism. The main focus is on the necessity of creating a professional revolutionary organization capable of fighting against the Tsarist regime and capitalism. Lenin criticizes spontaneity and economism in the workers' movement, emphasizing the importance of theoretical preparation and political consciousness. He also addresses issues of agitation, propaganda, and revolutionary tactics, proposing concrete steps for achieving a socialist revolution. The book played a significant role in the formation of the Bolshevik Party and influenced the development of the communist movement in Russia and beyond.

Main Ideas

• The necessity of creating a professional revolutionary party to lead the workers' movement.
• Criticism of economism and spontaneity in the workers' movement, with an emphasis on conscious political struggle.
• The role of theory in the revolutionary movement, the necessity of Marxist ideology.
• The creation of an underground network of professional revolutionaries to prepare for revolution.
• The importance of propaganda and agitation in forming the class consciousness of workers.
• Criticism of opportunism and reformism, with an emphasis on revolutionary methods of struggle.
• The necessity of uniting various social-democratic organizations under a single leadership.

Historical Context and Significance

The book «What Is to Be Done?» by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, written in 1902, holds immense historical significance as one of the key works that shaped the ideology and strategy of the Bolshevik movement in Russia. In this work, Lenin laid out his views on organizing a new type of revolutionary party that was to become the vanguard of the proletariat. He criticized economists and supporters of the spontaneous workers' movement, insisting on the need for a professional revolutionary organization capable of leading the masses to a socialist revolution. The book had a significant impact on the development of Marxist theory and practice, as well as on the formation of political culture in Russia and beyond. It became the foundation for the creation of the RSDLP(b) and the subsequent Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917, ultimately leading to the formation of the Soviet Union. The influence of the book extends to the international communist movement, where Lenin's ideas about a new type of party were adopted and adapted by various leftist movements worldwide.

Methodology and Conclusions

In «What Is to Be Done?», Vladimir Ilyich Lenin employs the methodology of Marxist analysis to study the political situation in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. He criticizes economists and supporters of the spontaneous workers' movement, arguing that successful revolution requires conscious political struggle and the creation of a professional revolutionary party. Lenin emphasizes the importance of theoretical preparation and propaganda, as well as the necessity of centralized leadership and discipline within the party. Lenin's conclusions are that only an organized and conscious party can lead the working class to victory over the bourgeoisie and the establishment of a socialist society.

Implications and Applications

• The book «What Is to Be Done?» by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin is an important theoretical work that has significantly influenced the development of Marxist theory and practice. It is applied in practice in the following aspects:
• 1. Organization of political parties: In his book, Lenin emphasizes the importance of creating a professional revolutionary party that must be well-organized and disciplined. This became the foundation for the formation of communist parties worldwide.
• 2. Propaganda and agitation: The book discusses the necessity of active propaganda and agitation among the working masses to raise their political awareness and mobilize them to fight for their rights.
• 3. Role of the intelligentsia: Lenin highlights the role of the intelligentsia in the revolutionary movement, emphasizing that it should be the link between the working class and theoretical knowledge.
• 4. Theory and practice: The book underscores the importance of combining theoretical knowledge with practical activity, which became the foundation for many revolutionary movements.
• 5. Struggle against opportunism: Lenin criticizes opportunistic trends in the socialist movement, which became an important element in the ideological struggle within leftist movements.

Interesting Facts

• The book «What Is to Be Done?» was written in 1901-1902 and became one of Lenin's key works, where he presented his views on organizing the revolutionary movement and the role of the party in this process.
• In this work, Lenin develops the concept of a new type of party that should be the vanguard of the working class and lead the revolutionary struggle.
• Lenin criticized economists and supporters of the spontaneous development of the workers' movement, arguing that without conscious leadership and organization, revolution is impossible.
• The book played an important role in the formation of the Bolshevik Party and had a significant impact on the development of Marxist theory and practice.
• In his work, Lenin emphasized the importance of theoretical preparation and political education of workers, which became the foundation for the subsequent activities of the Bolsheviks.

Book Review

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's book «What Is to Be Done?» is one of the key works in which the author presents his views on the organization and tactics of the revolutionary movement. Lenin criticizes economists and calls for the creation of a professional revolutionary party capable of leading the struggle for socialist transformations. In his work, he emphasizes the necessity of theoretical preparation and political agitation among workers. Critics note that the book played a significant role in the formation of the Bolshevik Party and influenced the development of Marxist theory. However, some researchers point to dogmatism and authoritarianism in Lenin's approaches, which later reflected in the practice of the Soviet state. Overall, «What Is to Be Done?» is considered an important historical document reflecting the political and ideological struggles of the early 20th century.