V. I. Lenin on Democracy

ABSTRACT

The concept of democracy has a prominent place in the ideological legacy of V. I. Lenin, the founder of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the leader of the world’s first socialist state. In opposition to the Marxist revisionists of his era, who defined democracy as a “pure” category, a “neutral” form of government, Lenin highlighted its class essence. Democracy for him expresses the rule of a definite class. From this proposition he derived the following theses: First, democracy is a political means of class struggle, and it cannot resolve this struggle. Second, democracy for one class means dictatorship for another. Third, democracy precludes freedom. It cannot “free” everyone. These claims have had a lasting impact upon the theory and practice of Marxism. They have also been routinely misunderstood and unfairly criticised. Lenin provides several insights into the contradictions of democracy. They remain relevant for democratic struggles today.

KEYWORDS:

• Lenin
• democracy
• dictatorship
• freedom
• Marxism

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on Contributor

Joe Pateman is a doctoral candidate in politics at the University of Nottingham, UK. He is interested in Marxism-Leninism, democratic theory, and the political economy of race. His recent publications include Managing Cultural Change in Public Libraries: Marx, Maslow, and Management (Routledge 2019).

Notes

1 For the view that Lenin’s conception of socialist democracy is undemocratic, see: Femia (1993, 5, 10); Lively (1975, 344–345); Dahl (1989, 53–54); Hindess (1983, 43–44); Hunt (1980, 7–8); Pierson (1986, 80–83); Sartori (1965, 424–425, 1987, 462–467); Laurat (1940, 132–144); Graham (1986, 215, 227); Glaser (1998, 137–139, 1999, 245); Mayo (1955, 139); Vishniak (1946); Louw (1991, 139–147); Harding (1992, 155–189); Williams (2013, 18); Brie (2019). For the contrary view, see: Macpherson (1966, 20, 22); Levin (1989, 157–165); Le Blanc (2010); Priestland (2002); Vanaik (1995); Nash (1990); Marik (2008, 378–380); Blackledge (2018); Kiss (1982, 206–315); Shandro (2014). Magun (2018, 141) uses Lenin’s theory of democracy as a “point of inspiration” for developing his “dialectical theory of state.” Nimtz (2014a, 2014b) outlines Lenin’s electoral strategy prior to October 1917. Moore (1957) discusses Lenin’s critique of liberal democracy. Pahnke (2019) explores how Lenin developed his revolutionary practice through his engagement with liberal democracy.

2 Soviet theorists after Lenin used the capitalised term “People’s Control” to describe the organisations/functions Lenin described, e.g., Turovtsev’s (1973) People’s Control in Socialist Society (Moscow: Progress Publishers).