By Caleb Maupin
THIS IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF A POST FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE FALL OF 2018
CALEB MAUPIN attempts an explanation of Trotskyism and Trotsky the man, a big challenge considering the complexities and controversies involved, and why this enormously disruptive Marxist deviation or faction is not to be confused with the more genuine revolutionary conception of scientific socialism, that is the Leninist concept of a professional party of revolutionaries united around the concept of Marxism-Leninism, democratic centralism, and other qualifications vital for the triumph of the working class in any protracted struggle with the bourgeoisie. Lenin's wing of Marxism—usually denominated "Bolsheviks" (the majority faction), largely created the Soviet Union, chiefly under Lenin and Stalin, overcoming great obstacles—internal and external—many of these actually emanating from people who, while calling and believing themselves revolutionists, practiced political deviations (ultra-leftism, opportunism, anarchism, reformism, etc.) that could have (and indeed almost) killed the revolution in its cradle. Trotsky, a gifted but egotistical man with his ambitious idea of "permanent revolution" and admiration for the West, incarnated one of the earliest big strategic splits in the revolutionary left, since Stalin believed that no such project could be entertained by the Soviet Union at a point when it was still weak, surrounded by enemies, riddled with internal opposition, saboteurs, great destruction following the civil war and foreign invasions, an untrustworthy bureaucracy, and still mostly undeveloped agricultural and industrial sectors. Trotsky doubted that anyone "could build socialism in one country" especially in a world still completely dominated by capitalism. And on those grounds, Trotsky also opposed the rule of Stalin. He later added further criticisms, arguing that Stalin would inevitably create a new class of bureaucratic exploiters of the working class, and that this new class would gradually extinguish the revolutionary spirit.
Why Be A Tankie? Talking Socialism in the USA
OTHER VOICES ON THE TROTSKY OPTION
Dec 5, 2022
When I was in college, I was influenced by Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution. I even joined a Trotskyist party. But over time, I came to reject these views. Here is why. Note: This Video was recorded in Feb. 2020, So Any Reference to Events & News is not to be confused with Recent ones.
Puke if you must
This bloodsoaked monster is probably the most evil person on planet earth https://t.co/nGq2H1EPHt
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) April 9, 2020
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ALL CAPTIONS AND PULL QUOTES BY THE EDITORS NOT THE AUTHORS
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[google-translator]
The commentary says: ‘Trotsky also opposed the rule of Stalin. He later added further criticisms, arguing that Stalin would inevitably create a new class of bureaucratic exploiters of the working class, and that this new class would gradually extinguish the revolutionary spirit.’ Seems to me that both were correct. Stalin was correct in the beginning, but there’s little doubt that dissidence in the USSR was the result of self enriching bureaucrats, managers and others in the ‘nomenklatura’, correct? Ultimately it was that class,– also enamored by the West, whose influence is always seductive and corrosive,– which allowed the rise of… Read more »
In my humble opinion, Trotzki was impressed by Capitalism’s chaos (a built-in character trait), which he saw as energy. It has fooled many people.