Book SummaryState and Revolution, by V.I. Lenin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of State and Revolution

The importance of the state within a Marxist framework when considering an uprising of the proletariat.

This section delves into the Marxist view of the intrinsic characteristics and development of the state, as well as its function in a society segmented by social class disparities. Lenin emphasizes the inherent connection between the state and the perpetuation of class-based exploitation, underscoring its role in maintaining this system of exploitation. He then underscores the crucial necessity for revolutionaries to dismantle entirely the state machinery dominated by the bourgeoisie, asserting that simply taking over the existing structures is insufficient.

Conflicts between societal classes, which cannot be reconciled, lead to the formation of the state.

In this treatise, Lenin contends that the emergence of the state is a consequence of enduring conflicts among different social strata, rather than serving as a neutral arbiter. He criticizes the depiction of the state as an impartial arbitrator or a tool for reconciling class interests, underscoring that such a misrepresentation favors the capitalist class.

The state functions as an apparatus that facilitates the exploitation of the subjugated class, instead of serving as a neutral intermediary among different societal strata.

Lenin argues that the primary function of the state is to maintain the dominance of the economically elite class and to facilitate the exploitation of the oppressed. While there might be brief moments of apparent state neutrality, these are exceptions. The primary role of the state is to further the interests of the ruling social class. Lenin argues that throughout its various historical manifestations, such as in ancient, feudal, and modern systems of governance, the state functions as an instrument enabling the exploitation of wage laborers by capital. For instance, Lenin highlights how wealthy factions sustain their power in ostensibly democratic countries by overtly manipulating public servants and fostering symbiotic ties with the banking industry. Lenin underscores his argument by referencing the 1917 Russian interim administration, where leaders who identified themselves as socialists protected the wartime financial interests of capitalists.

Lenin passionately argues against the notion that a system with widespread electoral involvement can genuinely reflect and fulfill the aspirations of the masses. Lenin contends that the capitalist system primarily employs the process of universal suffrage to advance the goals of the bourgeoisie. Lenin views this as an indication of the progress made by the proletariat, yet he cautions against overvaluing its liberating potential given the constraints of the existing system.

The objective of revolutionaries from the proletariat...

State and Revolution Summary The understanding of the working class's pivotal role in revolution was inspired by the events of the Paris Commune.

In this section, Lenin scrutinizes the pivotal learning event represented by the Paris Commune, which he deems essential for the education of the proletarian revolution. Lenin scrutinizes the decisive measures implemented by the Commune, such as the abolition of the standing army and the bureaucratic structure, the establishment of public accountability for governmental entities, and the creation of a novel form of political entity that transcended traditional parliamentary frameworks.

The Commune reorganized the state's governing framework, abolishing the permanent military forces and bureaucratic echelons, and established a system of public administration.

Lenin argues that the Commune's conduct provided a tangible model for dismantling the capitalist state mechanism and creating a government centered on proletarian interests. Lenin emphasizes the concrete progress achieved by the Paris Commune, surpassing just abstract proclamations.

The working class rapidly took control, replacing the previous governmental structures.

Lenin highlights that by replacing the standing army with an armed general population, the Paris Commune not only provided an exemplary model of...

State and Revolution Summary Engels participated in discussions and offered in-depth clarifications concerning the essential characteristics of the state.

This section delves into the understanding that Engels contributed regarding the fundamental nature of state authority from a Marxist perspective. Lenin highlights Engels' scrutiny of Anarchist views on the state's disintegration and his warnings against the distortion of Marxist principles by those seeking to exploit them for their own advantage. He demonstrates that later thinkers, influenced by the lessons learned from the Paris Commune, further developed and elaborated on the Marxist view of state administration.

Engels contested the oversimplification by the Anarchists concerning the dissolution of state structures.

The state's dissolution will not happen suddenly; it necessitates a gradual reduction in line with the decreasing need for its presence.

Engels echoes Marx's assertion that the aim of the Socialist revolution is to dismantle the current state apparatus, and this cannot be realized through declaration alone. Lenin suggests that as societal classes vanish and the populace becomes proficient in autonomously managing community affairs, this progression is inherently linked to a diminishing requirement for state-imposed governance.

Lenin highlights the...

State and Revolution Summary Marx's analysis probes into the foundational economic elements that lead to the eventual disintegration of governmental structures.

This part examines Marx's examination of the economic underpinnings that will ultimately result in the state's disintegration within a Communist society. Lenin outlines the development of Communist society, emphasizing the persistence of norms rooted in capitalism during the initial phase and the gradual transition to a society devoid of state and class divisions.

In the initial phases of a society's transition from capitalism to communism, the remnants of "bourgeois right" persist.

Lenin describes the shift from capitalism to communism as a process that unfolds in two distinct phases. Lenin scrutinizes the essential economic prerequisites for the early phase of Communist society, often referred to as Socialism, by delving into Marx's critical evaluation of the Gotha Programme. In this phase, imbalances persist as the distribution of commodities is based on the concept that the amount of labor one contributes should correspond to a commensurate share of the products. With this form of distribution, while exploitation is abolished, differences in individual ability and need mean that inequalities inevitably arise.

In the early phases of a communist society, it is...

State and Revolution Summary Opportunists have grossly misrepresented and oversimplified the core Marxist perspectives regarding the fundamental characteristics and role of the state.

The concluding part of the document examines the way in which the prevailing groups within the established Social-Democratic parties of the Second International simplified and distorted the complex ideas of Marx concerning the nature and role of the state. Lenin vehemently denounces Plekhanov and Kautsky, prominent figures within the Socialist movement, due to their hesitance to fully accept the revolutionary elements embedded in Marx's view of the state.

Plekhanov neglected to discuss the pivotal role the state assumes during the revolutionary phase.

Lenin criticizes Plekhanov, a prominent Russian Marxist, for failing to adequately explore the crucial role that the state plays during revolutionary events. Despite his thorough examination, Plekhanov failed to address the essential issues related to the abolition of the state and the necessity to disassemble the existing governmental structure.

Plekhanov failed to adequately examine the fundamental ideas concerning the disassembly of the previous state's governing structures, nor did he deeply consider the insights gained from the Paris Commune.

Lenin argues that Plekhanov's inability to progress Marxist state theory...