Leninism

Definition of Leninism

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Leninism: Refers to the ideas of Vladimir Ilich Lenin ( 1870-1924) leader of the Russian Revolution (1917) and founder of the Soviet Union. Lenin’s ideas were mainly derived from Marxism but he had a distinctive view of the importance of leadership in creating a working class revolution. He advocated the organization of the working class by a disciplined and centralised Communist Party believing, unlike Marx, that class consciousness could only develop under the guidance and direction of party leadership. Many historians have argued Lenin’s focus on the dominant role of the party and of its central leadership led directly to the establishment of Stalin’s dictatorship and to millions of deaths in the attempt to establish Soviet- style communism.

Leninism: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Leninism. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada