Trotskyism is a political ideology created by Leon Trotsky, a Russian politician and revolutionary. The word is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈtrɒtskiɪzm/, where the "t" and "s" sounds are pronounced separately. The "y" is silent and the stress falls on the "o" and "i" syllables. The spelling of this word is important for those discussing Trotsky's ideas and legacy, as well as for those studying political science or history.
Trotskyism is a political ideology and theory derived from the ideas and perspectives of the Russian revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky. It encompasses a set of beliefs and principles that aim to advance the cause of international socialism and achieve a truly democratic society through the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a workers' state.
At its core, Trotskyism promotes the idea of permanent revolution, which argues that socialist transformation should be pursued continuously and internationally, rather than relying on a specific national stage of development. Trotskyists advocate for the establishment of a global socialist federation, with the ultimate aim of eliminating all forms of exploitation and oppression.
Trotskyism also emphasizes the importance of a vanguard party, which should be highly organized and led by dedicated revolutionaries. This party plays a crucial role in mobilizing the working class and leading the struggle against the capitalist ruling class. It believes in the importance of workers' democracy, encouraging active participation and decision-making by the working class in all aspects of society.
Trotskyism criticizes the policies and practices of other political ideologies such as Stalinism, which it considers to be a distortion of genuine Marxism. It strongly opposes bureaucratic dictatorship and advocates for the democratic control of the means of production by the working class.
Overall, Trotskyism emerged as an alternative interpretation and application of Marxist principles, combining internationalism, permanent revolution, and workers' democracy to guide the struggle for socialism and class emancipation.
The word "Trotskyism" is derived from the name of the Russian revolutionary and Marxist theorist Leon Trotsky. Leon Trotsky was a prominent figure during the Russian Revolution and a key member of the Bolshevik Party led by Vladimir Lenin. After Lenin's death in 1924, a power struggle emerged between Trotsky and Joseph Stalin, ultimately resulting in Trotsky's expulsion from the Soviet Union in 1929.
The term "Trotskyism" was initially used as a label by Stalin and his supporters to brand Trotsky's ideas as deviations from Marxism-Leninism. It was a way of discrediting and marginalizing Trotsky's political ideology and his followers. Over time, however, the word became widely recognized as referring to the political and ideological beliefs associated with Trotsky, which encompassed critiques of Stalin's policies, calls for international revolution, and a focus on the liberation of the working class.