Trotskyist is a political term that refers to the followers or supporters of Leon Trotsky, a Russian revolutionary who played a key role in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. The phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈtrɒtskiɪst/. The first syllable "trots" is pronounced with the "o" sound as in "hot", followed by "ki" pronounced as "key" and ending with "ist" pronounced as "ist". This word is spelled with a "k" instead of a "c" to reflect the Russian spelling of Trotsky's name.
Trotskyism is a political ideology and movement rooted in the ideas of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. A Trotskyist adherent subscribes to the principles and theories developed by Trotsky, particularly concerning the pursuit of permanent revolution and international socialism. A person identified as a Trotskyist is someone who advocates for the overthrow of capitalist systems worldwide and the establishment of a socialist society through proletarian revolution.
Trotskyists hold key tenets such as the belief in the importance of the working class leading the revolutionary struggle, the rejection of bureaucratic or authoritarian methods used by some socialist states (such as the USSR under Stalin), and the promotion of international solidarity among workers. Trotskyist theory emphasizes the need for the global working class to unite in their fight against imperialism and capitalism while actively opposing counter-revolutionary forces.
Trotskyists often engage in political activism, organizing and participating in trade unions, protest movements, and political parties with the aim of advancing their revolutionary goals. They strongly advocate for workers' rights, social equality, and a planned economy under workers' control as alternatives to the exploitative nature of capitalism and the inequities it perpetuates.
While Trotskyism is broadly associated with left-wing politics, it encompasses a range of tendencies and interpretations within its framework, resulting in differences among various Trotskyist groups. The label "Trotskyist" is used comparatively to refer to individuals or organizations that explicitly follow Trotsky's ideas, strategies, and principles in their pursuit of revolutionary change.
The word "Trotskyist" is derived from the name of Russian revolutionary and political theorist Leon Trotsky.
Leon Trotsky, born Lev Davidovich Bronstein, was a leading figure in the Bolshevik Party during the Russian Revolution of 1917. While Trotsky was initially a close ally of Vladimir Lenin, he was later purged from the Communist Party by Joseph Stalin and forced into exile in 1929.
During his exile, Trotsky continued to promote his revolutionary ideas and criticize Stalin's leadership. His followers, who shared his political views and believed in the necessity of a global revolution and the establishment of a "permanent revolution", became known as Trotskyists.
The term "Trotskyist" emerged to describe this political ideology and those who adhered to it. Today, it refers to individuals or groups who advocate for Trotsky's views on revolution, socialism, and the necessary conditions for achieving a classless society.