European Intellectual History since Nietzsche Class 8: Leninism, the Rushing of History
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Feb 7, 2024 Delve into the complexities of the Bolshevik Revolution, exploring time and history through thinkers like Nietzsche and Hegel. Discover Lenin's revolutionary vision, focusing on the awakening of worker consciousness and the vital role of intellectuals as vanguards of change. Contrast Marxist ideologies with modern social democracy while examining the tumultuous events of the 1905 Tsarist upheaval. Uncover the intricate dance of history, ideology, and radical thought that shaped modern European intellectual discourse.
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Lenin's impatience with slow change
- Marx predicted workers would naturally develop class consciousness, but Lenin saw it happening too slowly.
- Lenin wrote "What Is To Be Done?" to argue history could be actively rushed.
Vanguard Party to Rush History
- Lenin proposes a vanguard of professional revolutionaries to bring class consciousness to workers.
- The Communist Party under Lenin demands absolute dedication and secrecy for revolutionary success.
Bolsheviks vs Mensheviks Split
- The Russian Communist Party splits into Bolsheviks (majority) who want to rush history and Mensheviks (minority) who want to wait.
- This split embodies the debate over whether history can or should be accelerated.
