Leninism is a political ideology based on the writings and teachings of Vladimir Lenin, a revolutionary leader and founder of the Soviet Union. The word is spelled with four syllables, pronounced as lɛn.ɪ.nɪ.zm̩, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is stressed, with the "e" sounding like the "e" in "end." The "n" and "m" sounds at the end of the word merge together, creating a nasalized "n" sound. The spelling of Leninism reflects its origin from the name of its founder, Lenin.
Leninism is a political ideology derived from the theories and principles of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary and leader of the Bolshevik Party. It refers to the particular interpretation and application of Marxism that Lenin developed, particularly in the context of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
At its core, Leninism advocates for the vanguard party, a highly centralized and disciplined political organization comprised of professional revolutionaries. The vanguard party's role is to lead the working class in achieving a socialist revolution, seizing control of the state apparatus, and establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat. This is seen as a necessary step towards the ultimate goal of building a communist society.
Leninism also emphasizes the importance of the working class as the primary revolutionary force and stresses the need for their active participation in the struggle for social change. Additionally, it champions the idea of imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism, underscoring the exploitative nature of capitalism and the importance of global solidarity among exploited peoples.
Leninism places great emphasis on political strategy, such as the concept of a revolutionary vanguard leading the masses, the use of propaganda and agitation to mobilize the working class, and the importance of armed struggle in achieving revolution. It also highlights the need for a strong party discipline and centralization of power to ensure the success of revolutionary goals.
While Leninism has been influential in several revolutions and socialist movements around the world, it has also faced criticism for its authoritarian tendencies and the potential for abuse of power. Its continued interpretation and application have led to various branches and adaptations of Leninist thought.
The word "Leninism" is derived from the name of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary leader and first head of the Soviet Union. Leninism refers to the political ideology and theories that Lenin developed, which became the foundation of the Bolshevik Party's doctrine. The term itself started to be used in the early 1920s, after Lenin's death, to describe his particular interpretation and application of Marxism in the context of the Russian Revolution. Over time, Leninism developed as a distinct branch of Marxism, emphasizing the necessity of a vanguard party, the centralized leadership of a revolutionary party, and the strategic use of violence to achieve a proletarian revolution and establish a socialist state.