Entering the Mind of A Marxist;

by Rishabh Ghoshal
OBJECTIVE OF PAPER: To understand distinctions between
Marxism and variations, To understand the Economic Aspects of a
Marxist State and To understand what led to the downfall of
'Communism' in the U.S.S.R.

What is the first thing which strikes a your mind when you
think of the Communist Bloc? Do pictures of dreary, decaying
identical buildings in the frost - bitten, freezing terrain of
Soviet Heartland come to mind? Or of body piled upon body,
cruelly, mercilessly being massacred as the Red Army
marches through the U.S.S.R killing all supposed enemies of
State? Such things have been associated with Communism for
decades. Such propaganda was also amplified by the US and
its allies during the Cold War.
Yet few, of course, have ever delved deeper into the story of
Communism and in particular Marxism. Is this what really
Karl Marx imagined writing at his small flat in Soho, exiled in
London? Did he really imagine there to be wide spread
killings as Communism, or so called Communism, was
brutally implemented on the vast masses of Russia, especially
at a later stage of Stalin's dictatorial grip on the countries of
the Iron Curtain with the use of Machiavellian Politics in
order to do so?
Dear reader, in spite of what you have read, heard or
witnessed - especially those of you who have actually lived in

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
a Communist Society - I beg of you to have two things at
hand and in mind when reading this Essay. Firstly, an open
mind. This is essential in grasping key concepts of an
ideology, which I believe has wrongly been both implemented
and portrayed in the last century. Secondly, an Economic
Perspective of the matter. Now let us now begin our journey
to the very roots of Marxism.

There are certain differences which one can

interpret between Marxism and the other variations of
Communism. These are all different schools of thought, and
this is vital to understand. Marx in his works said that
throughout history, in different societies there have been
different socio - political arrangements. These in turn gave
rise to different political ideologies. In fact these
arrangements were and are the motor of history. Let me give
you an example. In Ancient China, all people worked for the
monarch. He made all the decisions, whether China should go
to War, trade with a country, etc. Thus he was the central axle
who drove the nation. What was this socio - political
arrangement? He was the Emperor, thus Imperialism. Greece,
the first country in history to introduce voting rights to its
citizens, was a Democracy. Of course, only men were allowed
to vote, but nonetheless it was another socio - political
arrangement. Taking this forward, one can say that the various
branches of Communism are also different socio - political
arrangements, not to be allowed to mix into one idealistic
*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
faction. In this fashion, one can wring out the differences
between Marxism and Leninism, Trotskyism, Stalinism,
Maoism from a common Communist thread, like dirty water
from a stained garment, leaving behind only the fragrance of
the soap. Why else would there be different political parties
with (M) and (ML) or (Ma) at the end? Because they have
different ideologies.
Having established that Marxism is different from other
forms of Communism, we can move onto what actually
differs. What are these differences? Well, two main ones
come to the fore. All the latter four ideologies had the
concept of a Vanguard Party - a group of politically
learned men, who were used to lead the unlearned,
proletariat masses into the ultimate utopian society. A bit
elitist, do you not think? In fact, Rosa Luxemburg was a
high critic of this dictatorial form on Communism. We shall
come to reflect on her work in coming paragraphs.
The second thing that springs to mind, is the Economic
changes which Marx and Engels repeatedly stated in both The
Communist Manifesto and the three volumes of Das Kapital.
They both firmly believed in a Socialist Economy, and strove
to bring about the Economic Changes in Society. Thus
Marxism focuses on Economic Changes. All the latter four
ideologies believed in Militancy and Empowerment with the
use of Weapons. Although based on Marxism, the latter four
ideologies have also inputted their own variations and
characteristics, as if the Marxist carpet has been rolled down
the road, gathering other ideological dirt and grime. Marxist

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
thought evolved hand in hand along with Communist
thoughts, but then - as with everything, it was a matter of
perspective with different people and they had their own
opinion of the ideology and thus inputted their own features.
Communism came to be an umbrella term for many variations
( ideologically ).
Since we are talking about strictly Marxist
Society, we are talking about a Socialist or Planned
Economy*, the main features of such an Economy includes;
 (i) Collective Ownership:
In socialism, all means of production are owned by the
community, i.e., Government, and no individual can
hold private property beyond certain limit. Therefore, it
is government who utilises these resources in the interest
of social welfare.

 (ii) Economic, Social and Political Equality:

Under socialism, there is almost equality between rich
and poor. There is no problem of class struggle.

 (iii) Economic Planning:

Under socialism, government fixes certain objectives. In
order to achieve these objectives, government adopts
economic planning. All types of decisions regarding the
central problems of an economy are taken in the
economic plans. There is a Central Planning Authority,
who plans for the economy.

 (iv) No Competition:
Unlike capitalistic economy, there is no cut throat
competition. It means lack of competition as state is the
sole entrepreneur.
*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
  (v) Positive Role of Government:
In socialism, government plays significant role in
decision making. Thus, government has complete
control over economic activities like distribution,
exchange, consumption, investment and foreign trade
etc.

 (vi) Work and Wages According to Ability and

Needs:
In socialistic economy, work is according to ability and
wage according to need. It is said that under socialism
“from each according to his ability to each according to
his needs, is socialism.”

 (vi) Maximum Social Welfare:

The sole objective of socialism is the maximum social
welfare of the society. It means that there is no scope of
exploitation of labour class. Government keeps a close
eye on the needs of the poor masses while formulating
plans.

Keeping all this in mind we must remember the sole

cause of Marxist thought and politics; the upholdment
of workers' rights.

With the idea and Economics of a Marxist system laid out, we

come to what actually happened when Communism, or so
called Communism in the name of Marx was tried to be
implemented in certain countries. We shall primarily be
taking the example of the U.S.S.R or the modern day Russian
Federation.
*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
CASE STUDY OF THE SOVIET UNION

It is the aftermath of the October Revolution of

1917. The Bolshevik Party has come to power and with their
Leader Vladimir Lenin at the fore are wiping out all
remaining contestants to their rule. The people of Russia,
especially the Labouring Class are happy, for now. They think
this is a new beginning.
At this point I pose a simple question: What went wrong?
Let us first analyse Lenin's Policy and the Decrees which were
released along with the actions of the Sovnarkom in his
political take - over of Russia from the Tsars.
1. After issuing the Decree of Land and the redistribution
of the Church's property to peasants, Lenin's regime
issued a Decree on Censorship of the Press; which was
greatly resented. CLEARLY this was against Marxism
as Marx believed that Democracy would be present in
a Marxist Society. The ultimate goal of Marxist
Politics was the Democratic "Dictatorship" of the
Masses.
2. The Sovnarkom then wiped out Russia's existing legal
system, and introduced a two tier legal system. On one
hand was the "Revolutionary Tribunals" which was
held against those who had "committed crimes"
against the Revolution ( those who had tried to stop it

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
 ) and the other were the Courts for other forms of
'common' crime, essentially murder, robbery, etc.

Now this is just an single example of the forced

implementation of the Leninist, and later Stalinist regime on
the people of the Soviet Union. Clearly, although they upheld
Marx as the father of their Revolution, they were not
following his philosophy.
3. Now we come to Rosa Luxemburg. By now Lenin's
Vanguard Party ( The Bolsheviks ) were 'leading' the
masses, but there was one catch. All reforms and decrees
past were done with no consent of the masses and yet
this was supposed to be a Democracy. Rosa Luxemburg
and her fellow thinker, the Austrian Marxist Karl
Kautsky had feared just this. Luxemburg in her earlier
work Dialectic of Spontaneity and Organisation had
described the term 'Revolutionary Spontaneity' where the
workers rose up against the oppressors themselves
without the concept of a Vanguard Party to guide them.
Not only was this another indication that Soviet Russia
was not Marxist, but also that as the Vanguard Party
came to power, their connections and importance would
increase until it led to, I quote and Rosa Luxemburg
wrote, "...the brutalisation of Public Life".
She would be correct as the horrors of Stalin and the Red
Army descended upon Russia.

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
 Luxemburg was later murdered by Lenin's spies...so that
further proved how Lenin was also treacherous and
would do anything in order to defend his power, with
barely a though for the rights of people and the
masses; on which the ethics of Marxism are based.

The year is 1918, and through - out Western to Central Russia

there is widespread famine, as allegedly, the Kulak Farmers
in the East are storing up grain and barley, wheat, etc. in
order to increase the grains financial value. Thus, this has not
spread to Eastern Russia, which has led to acute food
shortages; how did Lenin react?
[The bourgeoisie] practised terror against the workers, soldiers
and peasants in the interests of a small group of landowners
and bankers, whereas the Soviet regime applies decisive
measures against landowners, plunderers and their
accomplices in the interests of the workers, soldiers and
peasants.
—Lenin on the Red Terror[243]

Furthermore, Lenin set up the "Committee for Poor Peasants"

in order to aid in requisitioning the peasants. But this system
was in complete shambles, for the Committee questioned both
Kulaks and normal, hard working - yet poor - peasants, and if
they were found 'guilty', they would be shot and/or hung. This
led to a deep resentment felt by the average peasant towards
the authorities and eventually set the stage for Civil War.
Lenin repeatedly emphasised the need for terror and violence
in overthrowing the old order and ensuring the success of the
revolution.[253] Speaking to the All-Russian Central Executive
*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
Committee of the Soviets in November 1917, he declared that
"the state is an institution built up for the sake of exercising
violence. Previously, this violence was exercised by a handful
of moneybags over the entire people; now we want ... to
organise violence in the interests of the people."[254] He strongly
opposed suggestions to abolish capital punishment.[255] Fearing
anti-Bolshevik forces would overthrow his administration, in
December 1917 Lenin ordered the establishment of
the Emergency Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution
and Sabotage, or Cheka, a political police force led by Felix
Dzerzhinsky.[256]
---Lenin on exercising violence and terror

Clearly, Lenin was leading by the force of Militancy. This

was no Democracy, for any form of Democracy involves the
consent of the peoples of the State. I do believe the Kulaks
were members of the State, were they not? On top of this,
arranging of the "Revolutionary Tribunals" as well as the
Committee of Poor Peasants ( in order to help with the
requisition of the Kulaks ), as mentioned earlier, show that
Lenin was prepared to go to all measures in order to;
1) Maintain his grip over the Soviet Union, with or without
the consent of the people ( highly undemocratic, I believe )
2) Destroy all opposition of the Revolution, which would pave
the way for HIS party's success - the Bolsheviks
3) Instil a terror and fear into the masses, which would in turn
leading to none dare question the Authority and its actions -
precisely what Rosa Luxemburg had feared, for this was no
Marxist or Democratic "Dictatorship" of the Proletariat State;
oh no, this was the Dictatorial Rule of the Bolsheviks with
Lenin at the fore, thus him being, essentially, the 'Dictator'.

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
4) Ensure the practice of Capitalism, all forms of Capitalism
and the Capitalists themselves were destroyed.

This goes against all morals of Marxism; for Marx did not
want the destruction of all Capitalists ( that was a feature of
Leninism ), but merely predicted the downfall of the
Capitalists.
Marx believed that capitalism contained the seeds of its
own destruction. He described how the wealth of the
bourgeoisie depended on the work of the proletariat.
Therefore, capitalism requires an underclass. Marx predicted
that the continued exploitation of this underclass would create
great resentment.
Communism and Leninism does on the other hand does want
the destruction of all
Capital and Capitalism;
as displayed by the
image to the left, which
in the Russian language
states; "Lenin cleansing
the Earth of all filth" -
the 'filth' being
capitalists, as shown by
the Monarch, the
Banker and the Priest.
Notice the sack of
money in the banker's
hand - money which has
been accumulated; an
act of Capitalism.

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
 The other thing which Lenin did was form the
Red Army. This consisted of peasants and some legions from
the Tsar's Army. Lenin believed that the only way to spread
Communism and the spirit of Revolution would be to try to
invade other countries and while this was happening, the
Proletariat of that country would rise up against their own
government. This of course went against the Brest - Litovsk
Treaty which had been signed by Russia and those countries
in Central Europe. This of course led to a new degree of
enigma and suspicion between the countries as well as within
the Russian Political Spectrum, with the Left Socialist
Revolutionaries abandoning the coalition, and paving the way
for complete Leninist rule over Russia. After 1920, and the
failed invasion of Poland 1919, within the Russian
Communist party there was heavy conflict as both the
'Group of Democratic centralism' and the 'Worker's
Opposition' political faction accused the Bolshevik Party
and the Russian government to be too centralised and
bureaucratic for what was, supposedly, a Marxist
government.

Political Ideology
Marxism and Leninism

We do not pretend that Marx or Marxists know the road to

socialism in all its concreteness. That is nonsense. We know
the direction of the road, we know what class forces will lead

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
it, but concretely, practically, this will be shown by the
experience of the millions when they undertake the act.
—Lenin, 11 September 1917[429]
Lenin was a devout Marxist,[430] and believed that his
interpretation of Marxism – first termed "Leninism" by
Martov in 1904[431] – was the sole authentic and orthodox
one.[432] According to his Marxist perspective, humanity
would eventually reach pure communism, becoming a
stateless, classless, egalitarian society of workers who were
free from exploitation and alienation, controlled their own
destiny, and abided by the rule "from each according to his
ability, to each according to his needs".[433] According to
Volkogonov, Lenin "deeply and sincerely" believed that the
path he was setting Russia on would ultimately lead to the
establishment of this communist society.[434]
Lenin's Marxist beliefs led him to the view that society could
not transform directly from its present state to communism,
but must first enter a period of socialism, and so his main
concern was how to convert Russia into a socialist society. To
do so, he believed that a "dictatorship of the proletariat" was
necessary to suppress the bourgeoisie and develop a socialist
economy.[435] He defined socialism as "an order of civilized
co-operators in which the means of production are socially
owned",[436] and believed that this economic system had to be
expanded until it could create a society of abundance.[433] To
achieve this, he saw bringing the Russian economy under state
control to be his central concern, with – in his words – "all
citizens" becoming "hired employees of the state".[437] Lenin's
interpretation of socialism was centralised, planned,
and statist, with both production and distribution strictly
controlled.[433] He believed that all workers throughout the
country would voluntarily join together to enable the state's
*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
economic and political centralisation.[438] In this way, his calls
for "workers' control" of the means of production referred not
to the direct control of enterprises by their workers, but the
operation of all enterprises under the control of a "workers'
state".[439] This resulted in what some perceive as two
conflicting themes within Lenin's thought: popular workers'
control, and a centralised, hierarchical, coercive state
apparatus.[440]

Before 1914, Lenin's views were

largely in accordance with
mainstream European Marxist
orthodoxy.[430] Although he derided
Marxists who adopted ideas from
contemporary non-Marxist
philosophers and sociologists,[441] his own ideas were
influenced not only by Russian Marxist theory but also by
wider ideas from the Russian revolutionary
movement,[442] including those of the Narodnik agrarian-
socialists.[443] He adapted his ideas according to changing
circumstances,[444] including the pragmatic realities of
governing Russia amid war, famine, and economic
collapse.[445] Thus, as Leninism developed, Lenin revised the
established Marxist orthodoxy and introduced innovations in
Marxist thought.[430]

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
Analysis
Notice in the first paragraph how Lenin's political ideology is
stated as "Lenin was a devout Marxist,[430] and believed that
his interpretation of Marxism – first termed "Leninism" by
Martov in 1904[431] – was the sole authentic and orthodox
one.[432] According to his Marxist perspective...." As I said,
it was a matter of interpretation, which led these variations
under the main Umbrella Term.

Then of course came the harsh, sternly dictatorial rule of

Stalin. He, in the name of Marx, established a reign of terror,
which, although made the Soviet Union have its highest
output industrially and become a major powerhouse in
European Industry, was primarily done through force and
psychological fear. He also used a policy of terror. The Soviet
Union at this point in time was also called a " bureaucratic
degenerated worker's state" where, although all businesses
and institutions were 'owned' by the masses via the State and
this elite group ( a remnant of the Vanguard Party policy of
Lenin ) still accrued certain benefits and exerted control at the
expense of the working class.

I cannot stress enough how Communism is an UMBRELLA

TERM for the various interpretations of Marxist philosophy
and thought. They are not the same and can never be the
same. 'Communism' so far has not failed due to mishaps in
the ideology of Marx, but due to mishaps in the interpreted
versions of Marxist thought. Marx always believed in a
Socialist Economy, which is all the more possible.

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".
In Conclusion of this Study: It has been many long years
since the idea of Marxism first arose, and along with it the
Communist School of thought. It is primarily a materialistic
philosophy meant for more industrial times, long past. Of
course some aspects can still be applied, but only to a limited
extent. Now, we Marxists must look at what the future holds
in store for us, and what can be done in order to fulfil the sole
cause of Marxist thought and philosophy; the upholdment of
workers' rights. And that shall be the objective of my next
paper.

NOTE: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE

AUTHOR'S AND THE AUTHOR ONLY. THEY HAVE
NOT BEEN PIRATED FROM OTHER SOURCES,
QUOTES LISTED HAVE BEEN COPIED FROM THE
UNITED NATIONS OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

*The idea of a Socialist Economy was first introduced by Karl Marx and Fredric Engels in The
Communist Manifesto. They were the first to use the term "Scientific Socialism".