Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

riskybiz85 t1_jbu5qei wrote

What’s the difference between the variations in communism: Marxism vs Leninism vs Bolshevism etc. I’m reading a biography on Stalin right now and ngl this shit is confusing af

1

CaLiBeR_JR t1_jbunutr wrote

Marxism is the theories of Marx & Engels, generally referring to the economic, historical and sociological theories of both. Leninism is the theories of Lenin regarding the running of a post-capitalist, pre-communist state. Bolshevism more or less refers to the broader ideology of the Bolsheviks which could mean Stalinism or could mean Trotskyism

5

tatramatra t1_jc1fk2r wrote

Bolshevism does not exist as a theory. Bolsheviks was name of the party, not a theory. Leninism also does not exist per see, what exist is Marxism-Leninism, which is theoretical extension/modification of Marxism made by Lenin and his colleagues born from a necessity to actually implement Marxist theory in practice. Or in other words to reconcile Marxist theory with practice in actual conditions of Russia and Europe as experienced by Lenin and his Bolsheviks.

And yes, it is confusing.

3