First published in early 1902, What Is To Be Done? remains a classic of Marxism on the building of the revolutionary party, setting out the party’s role as the organizer and director of the revolution.
The pamphlet was written as part of a conflict with the opportunism of the Economists who emphasized ‘bread and butter issues’ rather than theory. Lenin uses the book to explain the necessity of creating a centralized group of professional and dedicated revolutionary cadres before the “times of explosion and outbursts.” The history of the …
First published in early 1902, What Is To Be Done? remains a classic of Marxism on the building of the revolutionary party, setting out the party’s role as the organizer and director of the revolution.
The pamphlet was written as part of a conflict with the opportunism of the Economists who emphasized ‘bread and butter issues’ rather than theory. Lenin uses the book to explain the necessity of creating a centralized group of professional and dedicated revolutionary cadres before the “times of explosion and outbursts.” The history of the past 100 years has proven Lenin right: time and again the masses have been ready to struggle but let down by their leadership.
Today many working-class people are rejecting the status quo and beginning to look to socialist ideas as an alternative. It is the duty of Marxists to build an organization capable of offering a way forward, and What Is To Be Done? represents the essential guide to this work.
213 pages
still very up to date this days. just substitute 'workerism' for 'economist,' and try to also understand it as a critique of e.g. direct action
