ProleWiki - User contributions [en]

Austrian school of economics

2026-05-29T01:42:38Z

Mitzo: added source for the school's crypto-fascism

[[File:Murray rothbard.png|thumb|Murray Rothbard, one of the most famous members of the Austrian school]]
The '''Austrian school of economics''' is a hyper-individualist, bourgeois and crypto-fascist <ref>{{Citation|author=Ludwig von Mises|year=1927|title=The Foundations of Liberal Policy|title-url=https://mises.org/library/foundations-liberal-policy|chapter=The Argument of Fascism|chapter-url=https://mises.org/library/foundations-liberal-policy#10|quote=It cannot be denied that [[Fascism]] and similar movements aiming at the establishment of [[dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|dictatorships]] are full of the best intentions and that their intervention has, for the moment, saved European civilization. The merit that Fascism has thereby won for itself will live on eternally in history.}}</ref> school of economics that advocates for unchecked and unregulated capitalism and an [[Anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]] society.

== Theory of marginal utility ==
The Austrian school disregards the mathematical proofs of the [[Labor theory of value|Labor Theory of Value]] presented in volume one of Capital in order to present the alternate theory of "marginal utility". According to this theory, the value of a commodity originates from the least important need it fulfills, and profit originates from the difference in value between "present" goods and "future" goods <ref>{{Citation|last=Bukharin|first=Nikolai|year=1919|title=Economic Theory of the Leisure Class|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/bukharin/works/1927/leisure-economics/|chapter=The Theory of Profit}}</ref>. Nikolai Bukharin's work ''Economic Theory of the Leisure Class'' is an extended criticism and debunking of marginal utility, and therefore the Austrian school as a whole.

Ludwig von Mises

2026-05-29T01:40:44Z

Mitzo: linked to the newly made page for the austrian school of economics

{{Infobox philosopher|name=Ludwig von Mises|image_size=200|image=Ludwig von Mises.png|birth_place=Lemberg, [[Austria-Hungary]]|birth_date=29 September 1881|death_date=10 October 1973|death_place=[[New York City]], [[State of New York|New York]], [[United States of America|United States]]|school_tradition=[[Austrian economics]]}}

'''Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises''' (29 September 1881 – 10 October 1973) was an [[Austrian school of economics|Austrian economist]] who defended [[fascism]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Ludwig von Mises|year=1927|title=The Foundations of Liberal Policy|title-url=https://mises.org/library/foundations-liberal-policy|chapter=The Argument of Fascism|chapter-url=https://mises.org/library/foundations-liberal-policy#10|quote=It cannot be denied that [[Fascism]] and similar movements aiming at the establishment of [[dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|dictatorships]] are full of the best intentions and that their intervention has, for the moment, saved European civilization. The merit that Fascism has thereby won for itself will live on eternally in history.}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Liberals]]
[[Category:Stubs]]
<references />
[[Category:Austrian economists]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mises, Ludwig}}

Austrian school of economics

2026-05-29T01:40:08Z

Mitzo: A page on the Austrian school. I pull most of my information from Bukharin's "Economic Theory of the Leisure Class" which is an excellent work despite Bukharin's opportunism

[[File:Murray rothbard.png|thumb|Murray Rothbard, one of the most famous members of the Austrian school]]
The '''Austrian school of economics''' is a hyper-individualist, bourgeois and crypto-fascist school of economics that advocates for unchecked and unregulated capitalism and an [[Anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]] society.

== Theory of marginal utility ==
The Austrian school disregards the mathematical proofs of the [[Labor theory of value|Labor Theory of Value]] presented in volume one of Capital in order to present the alternate theory of "marginal utility". According to this theory, the value of a commodity originates from the least important need it fulfills, and profit originates from the difference in value between "present" goods and "future" goods <ref>{{Citation|last=Bukharin|first=Nikolai|year=1919|title=Economic Theory of the Leisure Class|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/bukharin/works/1927/leisure-economics/|chapter=The Theory of Profit}}</ref>. Nikolai Bukharin's work ''Economic Theory of the Leisure Class'' is an extended criticism and debunking of marginal utility, and therefore the Austrian school as a whole.

File:Murray rothbard.png

2026-05-29T01:39:12Z

Mitzo:

a picture of the austrian economist murray rothbard

Cult of personality

2026-05-23T01:57:43Z

Mitzo: added quote to a source

[[File:Mount Rushmore.png|thumb|Mount Rushmore in the [[United States of America|United States]] depicting former rulers [[George Washington]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Theodore Roosevelt]], and [[Abraham Lincoln]]]]
[[File:Apotheosis of Washington.jpg|thumb|Painting in the U.S. Capitol depicting George Washington (seated center) as a god. The woman on his right is holding a fasces.]]
A '''cult of personality''' is an excessive devotion to an idealized image of a person, often but not always a political leader. Cults of personality are often associated with [[Far-right politics|far-right]] and [[Nationalism|nationalist]] leaders, such as [[Narendra Modi|Modi]] in [[Republic of India|India]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Satya Mohapatra|newspaper=[[Liberation News]]|title=Indian election: Victorious Modi masks attacks on workers with far-right bigotry|date=2019-06-09|url=https://www.liberationnews.org/indian-election-victorious-modi-masks-attacks-on-workers-with-far-right-bigotry/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316034536/https://www.liberationnews.org/indian-election-victorious-modi-masks-attacks-on-workers-with-far-right-bigotry/|archive-date=2021-03-16|retrieved=2022-12-17}}</ref>

== Accusations against Stalin, Mao, and the Kim family ==
Many western sources claim that Stalin, Mao, and members of the Kim family ([[Kim Il Sung]], [[Kim Jong Il]], [[Kim Jong Un]]) fostered a cult of personality in order to maintain control over the population. While they are all highly respected politicians, and in some cases idolized to a worrying degree, it is untrue that this was a conscious effort. Stalin personally ordered a book about his childhood to not be printed in order to avoid idolization <ref>{{Citation|last=Stalin|first=Josef|year=1938|title=Letter on Publications for Children Directed to the Central Committee of the All Union Communist Youth|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1938/02/16.htm|quote=The important thing resides in the fact that the book has a tendency to engrave on the minds of Soviet children (and people in general) the personality cult of leaders, of infallible heroes. This is dangerous and detrimental.}}</ref>, and the [[Juche]] ideology places a precedence on the masses as the movers of history, not any great men <ref>{{Citation|last=Kim|first=Jong Il|year=1994|title=Socialism is a Science|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/kim-jong-il/works/Socialism-Is-A-Science.pdf|quote=Love and trust constitute the essence of politics in socialist society, where the
masses of the people have been transformed from objects of politics to the masters of politics.|publisher=Rodong Sinmun}}</ref>.

== See also ==

* [[Great man theory]]

== References ==
[[Category:Idealism]]
[[Category:Imperialist propaganda]]

Cult of personality

2026-05-23T01:56:45Z

Mitzo: Added a section about Stalin, Mao, and the Kims

[[File:Mount Rushmore.png|thumb|Mount Rushmore in the [[United States of America|United States]] depicting former rulers [[George Washington]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Theodore Roosevelt]], and [[Abraham Lincoln]]]]
[[File:Apotheosis of Washington.jpg|thumb|Painting in the U.S. Capitol depicting George Washington (seated center) as a god. The woman on his right is holding a fasces.]]
A '''cult of personality''' is an excessive devotion to an idealized image of a person, often but not always a political leader. Cults of personality are often associated with [[Far-right politics|far-right]] and [[Nationalism|nationalist]] leaders, such as [[Narendra Modi|Modi]] in [[Republic of India|India]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Satya Mohapatra|newspaper=[[Liberation News]]|title=Indian election: Victorious Modi masks attacks on workers with far-right bigotry|date=2019-06-09|url=https://www.liberationnews.org/indian-election-victorious-modi-masks-attacks-on-workers-with-far-right-bigotry/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316034536/https://www.liberationnews.org/indian-election-victorious-modi-masks-attacks-on-workers-with-far-right-bigotry/|archive-date=2021-03-16|retrieved=2022-12-17}}</ref>

== Accusations against Stalin, Mao, and the Kim family ==
Many western sources claim that Stalin, Mao, and members of the Kim family ([[Kim Il Sung]], [[Kim Jong Il]], [[Kim Jong Un]]) fostered a cult of personality in order to maintain control over the population. While they are all highly respected politicians, and in some cases idolized to a worrying degree, it is untrue that this was a conscious effort. Stalin personally ordered a book about his childhood to not be printed in order to avoid idolization <ref>{{Citation|last=Stalin|first=Josef|year=1938|title=Letter on Publications for Children Directed to the Central Committee of the All Union Communist Youth|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1938/02/16.htm}}</ref>, and the [[Juche]] ideology places a precedence on the masses as the movers of history, not any great men <ref>{{Citation|last=Kim|first=Jong Il|year=1994|title=Socialism is a Science|title-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/kim-jong-il/works/Socialism-Is-A-Science.pdf|quote=Love and trust constitute the essence of politics in socialist society, where the
masses of the people have been transformed from objects of politics to the masters of politics.|publisher=Rodong Sinmun}}</ref>.

== See also ==

* [[Great man theory]]

== References ==
[[Category:Idealism]]
[[Category:Imperialist propaganda]]

Georges Sorel

2026-05-14T00:46:40Z

Mitzo: A short page on Georges Sorel, a syndicalist who influenced fascist thought

[[File:Georges Sorel.jpg|thumb|A picture of Georges Sorel]]
'''Georges Sorel''' was a French [[Syndicalism|syndicalist]] inspired by socialists such as [[Karl Marx]] and [[Pierre-Joseph Proudhon]]. A controversial figure, Sorel inspired both Marxists (such as [[Antonio Gramsci]]) and [[Fascism|Fascists]] alike through his idea of myths in the struggle for socialism. To Sorel, myths are inherent to any movement as a unifying ideal. Sorel believed the general strike was the unifying myth of the syndicalists, believing it wouldn't matter if a general strike were to break out or not, only that the syndicalists rallied around the idea. These ideas were later incorporated into corporatist and bourgeois nationalist theories to synthesize Italian fascism by [[Giovanni Gentile]] and [[Benito Mussolini|Benito Mussolini.]]

File:Georges Sorel.jpg

2026-05-14T00:43:50Z

Mitzo: A picture of french syndicalist Georges Sorel

== Summary ==
A picture of french syndicalist Georges Sorel

Revolutionary Communist International

2026-05-02T18:22:53Z

Mitzo: was confused, they only deny the big bang. I suppose that's better... in a sense

{{Infobox political party|name=Revolutionary Communist International|logo=RCI-logo-1536x599.png|founded=1992|abbreviation=RCI|leader=[[Alan Woods]]|founder=[[Ted Grant]]|political_orientation=[[Trotskyism]]|website=www.marxist.com}}{{Trotskyism}}

The '''Revolutionary Communist International''' (RCI), formerly known as the '''International Marxist Tendency'''<ref>{{Web citation|author=International Marxist Tendency|newspaper=In Defence of Marxism|title=It is time to launch a Revolutionary Communist International!|date=2024-02-12|url=https://www.marxist.com/it-is-time-to-launch-a-revolutionary-communist-international.htm}}</ref> (IMT) is a [[Trotskyism|Trotskyist]] political international founded after [[Ted Grant]] and his followers broke from the [[Committee for a Workers' International]]. The RCI is active in over 40 countries. The RCI shares many similarities with a [[cult]] and engages in cult-building tactics to grow its influence.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Katsfoter|newspaper=Red Clarion|title=The Cult-Building Tendency|date=2024-04-02|url=https://clarion.unity-struggle-unity.org/2024-04-02-the-cult-building-tendency/}}</ref>

An Infamous example of the RCI's rigid dogmatism and cult-like beliefs, the American branch of the RCI, the RCA, rejects the theory of the Big Bang, as they claim it is in contradiction with dialectical materialism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Donald Parkinson|newspaper=Cosmonaut|title=Letter: The Dead Will Not Be Raised|date=2025-11-17|url=https://cosmonautmag.com/2025/11/letter-the-dead-will-not-be-raised/|quote=Today, sectarian organizations like the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) hold revisionist lines on the Big Bang theory[...]}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Ben Curry|newspaper=Revolutionary Communists of America|title=The Big Bang: Shoehorning the Facts to Fit the Theory|date=2023-04-04|url=https://communistusa.org/the-big-bang-shoehorning-the-facts-to-fit-the-theory/|quote=But we are convinced that the irrational side of the theory—the idealistic notion of an origin to the universe; of a moment of creation of matter, space and time; and all the absurd mathematical patch ups that keep the theory going—all that will be forced to give way under the weight of observational evidence, and scientists will once more recognize that the universe is infinite and eternal, and that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.}}</ref>

== Sections ==

* [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|UK]] - Revolutionary Communist Party; Previously [[Socialist Appeal]] under the IMT.
* [[United States of America|USA]] - Revolutionary Communists of America; section of the RCI in the United States.
* [[Canada]] - Revolutionary Communist Party (Canada);<ref>{{Web citation|author=RCP|newspaper=Newswire|title=A new Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) is being founded|date=2024-04-04|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/a-new-revolutionary-communist-party-rcp-is-being-founded-886527638.html|quote=The RCP is part of the Revolutionary Communist International}}</ref> previously Fightback.

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Trotskyist organisations]]

Revolutionary Communist International

2026-05-02T18:17:57Z

Mitzo: added a section about their denial of the big bang

{{Infobox political party|name=Revolutionary Communist International|logo=RCI-logo-1536x599.png|founded=1992|abbreviation=RCI|leader=[[Alan Woods]]|founder=[[Ted Grant]]|political_orientation=[[Trotskyism]]|website=www.marxist.com}}{{Trotskyism}}

The '''Revolutionary Communist International''' (RCI), formerly known as the '''International Marxist Tendency'''<ref>{{Web citation|author=International Marxist Tendency|newspaper=In Defence of Marxism|title=It is time to launch a Revolutionary Communist International!|date=2024-02-12|url=https://www.marxist.com/it-is-time-to-launch-a-revolutionary-communist-international.htm}}</ref> (IMT) is a [[Trotskyism|Trotskyist]] political international founded after [[Ted Grant]] and his followers broke from the [[Committee for a Workers' International]]. The RCI is active in over 40 countries. The RCI shares many similarities with a [[cult]] and engages in cult-building tactics to grow its influence.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Katsfoter|newspaper=Red Clarion|title=The Cult-Building Tendency|date=2024-04-02|url=https://clarion.unity-struggle-unity.org/2024-04-02-the-cult-building-tendency/}}</ref>

An Infamous example of the RCI's rigid dogmatism and cult-like beliefs, the American branch of the RCI, the RCA, rejects the theories of the Big Bang and the existence of black holes, as they claim it is in contradiction with dialectical materialism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Donald Parkinson|newspaper=Cosmonaut|title=Letter: The Dead Will Not Be Raised|date=2025-11-17|url=https://cosmonautmag.com/2025/11/letter-the-dead-will-not-be-raised/|quote=Today, sectarian organizations like the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) hold revisionist lines on the Big Bang theory[...]}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Ben Curry|newspaper=Revolutionary Communists of America|title=The Big Bang: Shoehorning the Facts to Fit the Theory|date=2023-04-04|url=https://communistusa.org/the-big-bang-shoehorning-the-facts-to-fit-the-theory/|quote=But we are convinced that the irrational side of the theory—the idealistic notion of an origin to the universe; of a moment of creation of matter, space and time; and all the absurd mathematical patch ups that keep the theory going—all that will be forced to give way under the weight of observational evidence, and scientists will once more recognize that the universe is infinite and eternal, and that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.}}</ref>

== Sections ==

* [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|UK]] - Revolutionary Communist Party; Previously [[Socialist Appeal]] under the IMT.
* [[United States of America|USA]] - Revolutionary Communists of America; section of the RCI in the United States.
* [[Canada]] - Revolutionary Communist Party (Canada);<ref>{{Web citation|author=RCP|newspaper=Newswire|title=A new Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) is being founded|date=2024-04-04|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/a-new-revolutionary-communist-party-rcp-is-being-founded-886527638.html|quote=The RCP is part of the Revolutionary Communist International}}</ref> previously Fightback.

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Trotskyist organisations]]

Essay:The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1

2026-04-29T01:23:27Z

Mitzo: fixed formatting once again

{{Infobox essay|title=The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1|author=Mitzo|date=2026-04-28|excerpt=By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance}}

The intent of this critique is to serve as a beginning for a larger critique of The Society of the Spectacle as a whole. This is focused on the chapter that I find, so far, to be the most odious and idealist perversion of marxism contained within (Debord would not be kind to me for using the word “marxism” as, like many of his ilk, he treats recognition with a set of ideals and tactics as something to be reviled no matter how self-contradictory the result may be. However, he clearly identifies with marxist ideology even if he’ll kick and scream about that not being the case.) I will be ordering this similarly to the order of the book itself. For short passages I will quote the entire passage, for longer ones I will quote only where needed.

'''81: “Marx’s theory is closely linked with scientific thought insofar as it seeks a rational understanding of the forces that really operate in society. But it ultimately goes beyond scientific thought, preserving it only by superseding it. It seeks to understand struggles, not laws. “We recognize only one science: the science of history” (The German Ideology)”'''

Debord’s attempt to distinguish the science of marxism as something that goes “beyond scientific thought” is merely the positions of Bernstein and Popper disguised in a positive cloak of artistic prosé. Marxism is a science, it encompasses the philosophy of socialism with the real practical experiments of implementing socialism within society and building the foundations for a new world. Marxism is just as much a science as Astronomy, Sociology, etc. it uses the same method of experimentation to dialectically define and redefine the tasks of the revolutionary class. By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance. Marxism does not go “beyond” science as there is nothing that IS beyond science. Science is the constant search of knowledge using practical and real methods beyond the pure logic of the philosophers, anything “beyond science” is merely pseudoscience.

'''82: “The project of transcending the economy and mastering history must indeed grasp and incorporate the science of society, but it cannot itself be a scientific project. The revolutionary movement remains bourgeois insofar as it thinks it can master current history by means of scientific knowledge”'''

Debord continues down this well traveled dead end road of unscientific marxism and only continues to dig a deeper hole for himself. Debord’s constant separation of science from the revolutionary movement of history leads only to the blind leading the blind, of placing ideals above and beyond the material reality we live in, of placing socialism into the noumenal world whereby the phenomenal, real application of socialism remains only a bastardization of the platonic form. Debord places socialism as outside of the social relations between man, and therefore departs from revolutionary marxism and only reinforces capitalist hegemony, as any socialism currently existing or has existed in history is planted as merely corrupted and twisted by the eternal grip of capitalism and class dominance, an attitude fit the defeatists and reformists but not for revolutionaries.

'''84: “The scientific-determinist aspect of Marx’s thought was precisely what made it vulnerable to “ideologization,” both during his own lifetime and even more so in the theoretical heritage he left to the workers movement”'''

The often cited “determinist marxism” argument shows itself barefaced in Debord’s work, which is quite embarrassing for Debord as it’s merely a strawman of the theory of historical materialism. The arguments against this teleological reading of marxism are many, but a quick argument against it is necessary. Historical materialism is not a handbook for history, a readymade guide just waiting to be followed. Historical materialism illuminates the progression of history in a dialectical manner, seeing the internal issues of the current hegemonic class society and showing the path it leads down. History does not end, it is not pre-determined, but it, like everything in nature, follows laws that can be analyzed and understood. Historical materialism is as “determinist” as physics calculating how far an object thrown will travel.

'''85: “The weakness of Marx’s theory is naturally linked to the weakness of the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat of his time. The German working class failed to initiate a permanent revolution in 1848; the Paris Commune was defeated in isolation. As a result, revolutionary theory could not yet be fully realized. The fact that Marx was reduced to defending and refining it by cloistered scholarly work in the British Museum had a debilitating effect on the theory itself. His scientific conclusions about the future development of the working class, and the organizational practice apparently implied by those conclusions, became obstacles to proletarian consciousness at a later stage.”'''

Debord’s retreat from Marxism is approaching a rapid pace now, as he departs from dialectical thinking altogether in favor of pure metaphysics. Debord, confusingly, insists that Marx learning from the failed Paris commune and German revolution is a departure from socialism. Once again, Debord turns back to metaphysical thinking and analyzes socialism from the viewpoint of its platonic form, that Marx did not take a theory (as that would be scientific) and develop it, but instead turned his back on the authentic, real, noumenal truth of socialism that only needs to be revealed and practiced. Communism, then, is not “the real movement that abolishes the present state of things” but merely an unchanging truth that heretofore nobody has grasped. We see here how Debord’s abandonment of scientific socialism leads him down the same tired path of the other faux-radical revolutionary artists. Truly, Debord was punk before punk existed and that is not meant as a compliment but only to give a basis to understand the vacuousness of his “magnum opus”

'''103: “Trotsky and Parvus’s theory of permanent revolution, which Lenin adopted[...]”'''

Completely and utterly incorrect. Lenin was never a proponent of Trotsky’s revisionist idea of the permanent revolution. In fact, he called it “absurdly left” and wrote an entire article on how Trotsky was a wrecker in the party! Either Debord is blatantly lying, or he knows nothing about the bolsheviks, in either case it’s a mistake that glaringly reflects his poor judgement.

'''98: “The Bolshevik practice of directing the proletariat from outside, by means of a disciplined underground party under the control of intellectuals who had become ‘professional revolutionaries,’ became a new profession - a profession that refused to negotiate or compromise with any of the professional ruling strata of capitalist society.”'''

Debord’s vacuous understanding of the vanguard continues to show his improper understanding of leninism as a whole. To begin with, the vanguard is not a group of “professional intellectuals” who “direct the proletariat from outside”. Instead, the vanguard is the unity of the most advanced members of the proletariat who are able to raise the proletarian’s class consciousness from mere economist trade-union consciousness into a revolutionary marxist consciousness. Secondly, the vanguard does not stubbornly refuse to negotiate or compromise. In fact, Lenin wrote Left Wing Communism: an Infantile Disorder after being accused of being too willing to negotiate!

'''103: “At the Tenth Congress, as the Kronstadt soviet was being crushed by arms and buried under a barrage of slander[...]”'''

The libertarian socialists still cry over the poor sailors of Kronstadt as if they were not anti-semitic, reactionary forces! Just because they shouted ultra-left slogans does not make them the true voice of the proletariat, but merely the petty bourgeois, reactionary sect that acted in self interest alone. As much as it hurts me to quote from Trotsky, I must say to Debord; continue to hue and cry over Kronstadt.

'''104: “The Russian bureaucracy then carried this consolidation of power to the next stage by subjecting the peasantry to a reign of terror, implementing the most brutal primitive accumulation of capital in history.”'''

Debord continues to boldly lie to our faces! The collectivization of the peasants was far from a “reign of terror”, even less “primitive accumulation” as the products from the collective farms belonged to the workers, the only products taken by the state were collected through a tax in kind! Call me amoral, but I have no sympathy for the kulaks who held the Russian peasant masses under their grip!

Now, my original intent was to finish my entire response to this chapter and post it all in one to see if I wanted to continue. However, considering the length of this chapter I feel it’d be best to split it into 2 or 3 parts.
[[Category:Essays by Mitzo]]

Essay:The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1

2026-04-29T01:22:30Z

Mitzo: fixed formatting and some weird changes from copy pasting this from another site

{{Infobox essay|title=The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1|author=Mitzo|date=2026-04-28|excerpt=By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance}}

The intent of this critique is to serve as a beginning for a larger critique of The Society of the Spectacle as a whole. This is focused on the chapter that I find, so far, to be the most odious and idealist perversion of marxism contained within (Debord would not be kind to me for using the word “marxism” as, like many of his ilk, he treats recognition with a set of ideals and tactics as something to be reviled no matter how self-contradictory the result may be. However, he clearly identifies with marxist ideology even if he’ll kick and scream about that not being the case.) I will be ordering this similarly to the order of the book itself. For short passages I will quote the entire passage, for longer ones I will quote only where needed.
81: “Marx’s theory is closely linked with scientific thought insofar as it seeks a rational understanding of the forces that really operate in society. But it ultimately goes beyond scientific thought, preserving it only by superseding it. It seeks to understand struggles, not laws. “We recognize only one science: the science of history” (The German Ideology)”

'''81: “Marx’s theory is closely linked with scientific thought insofar as it seeks a rational understanding of the forces that really operate in society. But it ultimately goes beyond scientific thought, preserving it only by superseding it. It seeks to understand struggles, not laws. “We recognize only one science: the science of history” (The German Ideology)”'''

Debord’s attempt to distinguish the science of marxism as something that goes “beyond scientific thought” is merely the positions of Bernstein and Popper disguised in a positive cloak of artistic prosé. Marxism is a science, it encompasses the philosophy of socialism with the real practical experiments of implementing socialism within society and building the foundations for a new world. Marxism is just as much a science as Astronomy, Sociology, etc. it uses the same method of experimentation to dialectically define and redefine the tasks of the revolutionary class. By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance. Marxism does not go “beyond” science as there is nothing that IS beyond science. Science is the constant search of knowledge using practical and real methods beyond the pure logic of the philosophers, anything “beyond science” is merely pseudoscience.

'''82: “The project of transcending the economy and mastering history must indeed grasp and incorporate the science of society, but it cannot itself be a scientific project. The revolutionary movement remains bourgeois insofar as it thinks it can master current history by means of scientific knowledge”'''

Debord continues down this well traveled dead end road of unscientific marxism and only continues to dig a deeper hole for himself. Debord’s constant separation of science from the revolutionary movement of history leads only to the blind leading the blind, of placing ideals above and beyond the material reality we live in, of placing socialism into the noumenal world whereby the phenomenal, real application of socialism remains only a bastardization of the platonic form. Debord places socialism as outside of the social relations between man, and therefore departs from revolutionary marxism and only reinforces capitalist hegemony, as any socialism currently existing or has existed in history is planted as merely corrupted and twisted by the eternal grip of capitalism and class dominance, an attitude fit the defeatists and reformists but not for revolutionaries.

'''84: “The scientific-determinist aspect of Marx’s thought was precisely what made it vulnerable to “ideologization,” both during his own lifetime and even more so in the theoretical heritage he left to the workers movement”'''

The often cited “determinist marxism” argument shows itself barefaced in Debord’s work, which is quite embarrassing for Debord as it’s merely a strawman of the theory of historical materialism. The arguments against this teleological reading of marxism are many, but a quick argument against it is necessary. Historical materialism is not a handbook for history, a readymade guide just waiting to be followed. Historical materialism illuminates the progression of history in a dialectical manner, seeing the internal issues of the current hegemonic class society and showing the path it leads down. History does not end, it is not pre-determined, but it, like everything in nature, follows laws that can be analyzed and understood. Historical materialism is as “determinist” as physics calculating how far an object thrown will travel.

'''85: “The weakness of Marx’s theory is naturally linked to the weakness of the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat of his time. The German working class failed to initiate a permanent revolution in 1848; the Paris Commune was defeated in isolation. As a result, revolutionary theory could not yet be fully realized. The fact that Marx was reduced to defending and refining it by cloistered scholarly work in the British Museum had a debilitating effect on the theory itself. His scientific conclusions about the future development of the working class, and the organizational practice apparently implied by those conclusions, became obstacles to proletarian consciousness at a later stage.”'''

Debord’s retreat from Marxism is approaching a rapid pace now, as he departs from dialectical thinking altogether in favor of pure metaphysics. Debord, confusingly, insists that Marx learning from the failed Paris commune and German revolution is a departure from socialism. Once again, Debord turns back to metaphysical thinking and analyzes socialism from the viewpoint of its platonic form, that Marx did not take a theory (as that would be scientific) and develop it, but instead turned his back on the authentic, real, noumenal truth of socialism that only needs to be revealed and practiced. Communism, then, is not “the real movement that abolishes the present state of things” but merely an unchanging truth that heretofore nobody has grasped. We see here how Debord’s abandonment of scientific socialism leads him down the same tired path of the other faux-radical revolutionary artists. Truly, Debord was punk before punk existed and that is not meant as a compliment but only to give a basis to understand the vacuousness of his “magnum opus”

'''103: “Trotsky and Parvus’s theory of permanent revolution, which Lenin adopted[...]”'''

Completely and utterly incorrect. Lenin was never a proponent of Trotsky’s revisionist idea of the permanent revolution. In fact, he called it “absurdly left” and wrote an entire article on how Trotsky was a wrecker in the party! Either Debord is blatantly lying, or he knows nothing about the bolsheviks, in either case it’s a mistake that glaringly reflects his poor judgement.

'''98: “The Bolshevik practice of directing the proletariat from outside, by means of a disciplined underground party under the control of intellectuals who had become ‘professional revolutionaries,’ became a new profession - a profession that refused to negotiate or compromise with any of the professional ruling strata of capitalist society.”'''

Debord’s vacuous understanding of the vanguard continues to show his improper understanding of leninism as a whole. To begin with, the vanguard is not a group of “professional intellectuals” who “direct the proletariat from outside”. Instead, the vanguard is the unity of the most advanced members of the proletariat who are able to raise the proletarian’s class consciousness from mere economist trade-union consciousness into a revolutionary marxist consciousness. Secondly, the vanguard does not stubbornly refuse to negotiate or compromise. In fact, Lenin wrote Left Wing Communism: an Infantile Disorder after being accused of being too willing to negotiate!

'''103: “At the Tenth Congress, as the Kronstadt soviet was being crushed by arms and buried under a barrage of slander[...]”'''

The libertarian socialists still cry over the poor sailors of Kronstadt as if they were not anti-semitic, reactionary forces! Just because they shouted ultra-left slogans does not make them the true voice of the proletariat, but merely the petty bourgeois, reactionary sect that acted in self interest alone. As much as it hurts me to quote from Trotsky, I must say to Debord; continue to hue and cry over Kronstadt.

'''104: “The Russian bureaucracy then carried this consolidation of power to the next stage by subjecting the peasantry to a reign of terror, implementing the most brutal primitive accumulation of capital in history.”'''

Debord continues to boldly lie to our faces! The collectivization of the peasants was far from a “reign of terror”, even less “primitive accumulation” as the products from the collective farms belonged to the workers, the only products taken by the state were collected through a tax in kind! Call me amoral, but I have no sympathy for the kulaks who held the Russian peasant masses under their grip!

Now, my original intent was to finish my entire response to this chapter and post it all in one to see if I wanted to continue. However, considering the length of this chapter I feel it’d be best to split it into 2 or 3 parts.
[[Category:Essays by Mitzo]]

Essay:The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1

2026-04-29T01:20:31Z

Mitzo: part 1 of a critique of Society of the Spectacle (specifically chapter 4)

{{Infobox essay|title=The emptiness of "Society of the Spectacle": Chapter 4, "The Proletariat as Subject and Representation". pt 1|author=Mitzo|date=2026-04-28|excerpt=By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance}}

The intent of this critique is to serve as a beginning for a larger critique of The Society of the Spectacle as a whole. This is focused on the chapter that I find, so far, to be the most odious and idealist perversion of marxism contained within (Debord would not be kind to me for using the word “marxism” as, like many of his ilk, he treats recognition with a set of ideals and tactics as something to be reviled no matter how self-contradictory the result may be. However, he clearly identifies with marxist ideology even if he’ll kick and scream about that not being the case.) I will be ordering this similarly to the order of the book itself. For short passages I will quote the entire passage, for longer ones I will quote only where needed.
81: “Marx’s theory is closely linked with scientific thought insofar as it seeks a rational understanding of the forces that really operate in society. But it ultimately goes beyond scientific thought, preserving it only by superseding it. It seeks to understand struggles, not laws. “We recognize only one science: the science of history” (The German Ideology)”

'''81: “Marx’s theory is closely linked with scientific thought insofar as it seeks a rational understanding of the forces that really operate in society. But it ultimately goes beyond scientific thought, preserving it only by superseding it. It seeks to understand struggles, not laws. “We recognize only one science: the science of history” (The German Ideology)”'''

Debord’s attempt to distinguish the science of marxism as something that goes “beyond scientific thought” is merely the positions of Bernstein and Popper disguised in a positive cloak of artistic prosé. Marxism is a science, it encompasses the philosophy of socialism with the real practical experiments of implementing socialism within society and building the foundations for a new world. Marxism is just as much a science as Astronomy, Sociology, etc. it uses the same method of experimentation to dialectically define and redefine the tasks of the revolutionary class. By denying the scientific aspects of Marxism, Debord falls into the same petty bourgeois trap that leads only to defeatist reformism and becoming a mouthpiece for the bourgeoisie to exert their class dominance. Marxism does not go “beyond” science as there is nothing that IS beyond science. Science is the constant search of knowledge using practical and real methods beyond the pure logic of the philosophers, anything “beyond science” is merely pseudoscience.
82: “The project of transcending the economy and mastering history must indeed grasp and incorporate the science of society, but it cannot itself be a scientific project. The revolutionary movement remains bourgeois insofar as it thinks it can master current history by means of scientific knowledge”

'''82: “The project of transcending the economy and mastering history must indeed grasp and incorporate the science of society, but it cannot itself be a scientific project. The revolutionary movement remains bourgeois insofar as it thinks it can master current history by means of scientific knowledge”'''

Debord continues down this well traveled dead end road of unscientific marxism and only continues to dig a deeper hole for himself. Debord’s constant separation of science from the revolutionary movement of history leads only to the blind leading the blind, of placing ideals above and beyond the material reality we live in, of placing socialism into the noumenal world whereby the phenomenal, real application of socialism remains only a bastardization of the platonic form. Debord places socialism as outside of the social relations between man, and therefore departs from revolutionary marxism and only reinforces capitalist hegemony, as any socialism currently existing or has existed in history is planted as merely corrupted and twisted by the eternal grip of capitalism and class dominance, an attitude fit the defeatists and reformists but not for revolutionaries.
84: “The scientific-determinist aspect of Marx’s thought was precisely what made it vulnerable to “ideologization,” both during his own lifetime and even more so in the theoretical heritage he left to the workers movement”

'''84: “The scientific-determinist aspect of Marx’s thought was precisely what made it vulnerable to “ideologization,” both during his own lifetime and even more so in the theoretical heritage he left to the workers movement”'''

The often cited “determinist marxism” argument shows itself barefaced in Debord’s work, which is quite embarrassing for Debord as it’s merely a strawman of the theory of historical materialism. The arguments against this teleological reading of marxism are many, but a quick argument against it is necessary. Historical materialism is not a handbook for history, a readymade guide just waiting to be followed. Historical materialism illuminates the progression of history in a dialectical manner, seeing the internal issues of the current hegemonic class society and showing the path it leads down. History does not end, it is not pre-determined, but it, like everything in nature, follows laws that can be analyzed and understood. Historical materialism is as “determinist” as physics calculating how far an object thrown will travel.
85: “The weakness of Marx’s theory is naturally linked to the weakness of the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat of his time. The German working class failed to initiate a permanent revolution in 1848; the Paris Commune was defeated in isolation. As a result, revolutionary theory could not yet be fully realized. The fact that Marx was reduced to defending and refining it by cloistered scholarly work in the British Museum had a debilitating effect on the theory itself. His scientific conclusions about the future development of the working class, and the organizational practice apparently implied by those conclusions, became obstacles to proletarian consciousness at a later stage.”

'''85: “The weakness of Marx’s theory is naturally linked to the weakness of the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat of his time. The German working class failed to initiate a permanent revolution in 1848; the Paris Commune was defeated in isolation. As a result, revolutionary theory could not yet be fully realized. The fact that Marx was reduced to defending and refining it by cloistered scholarly work in the British Museum had a debilitating effect on the theory itself. His scientific conclusions about the future development of the working class, and the organizational practice apparently implied by those conclusions, became obstacles to proletarian consciousness at a later stage.”'''

Debord’s retreat from Marxism is approaching a rapid pace now, as he departs from dialectical thinking altogether in favor of pure metaphysics. Debord, confusingly, insists that Marx learning from the failed Paris commune and German revolution is a departure from socialism. Once again, Debord turns back to metaphysical thinking and analyzes socialism from the viewpoint of its platonic form, that Marx did not take a theory (as that would be scientific) and develop it, but instead turned his back on the authentic, real, noumenal truth of socialism that only needs to be revealed and practiced. Communism, then, is not “the real movement that abolishes the present state of things” but merely an unchanging truth that heretofore nobody has grasped. We see here how Debord’s abandonment of scientific socialism leads him down the same tired path of the other faux-radical revolutionary artists. Truly, Debord was punk before punk existed and that is not meant as a compliment but only to give a basis to understand the vacuousness of his “magnum opus”
103: “Trotsky and Parvus’s theory of permanent revolution, which Lenin adopted[...]”

'''103: “Trotsky and Parvus’s theory of permanent revolution, which Lenin adopted[...]”'''

Completely and utterly incorrect. Lenin was never a proponent of Trotsky’s revisionist idea of the permanent revolution. In fact, he called it “absurdly left” and wrote an entire article on how Trotsky was a wrecker in the party! Either Debord is blatantly lying, or he knows nothing about the bolsheviks, in either case it’s a mistake that glaringly reflects his poor judgement.
98: “The Bolshevik practice of directing the proletariat from outside, by means of a disciplined underground party under the control of intellectuals who had become ‘professional revolutionaries,’ became a new profession - a profession that refused to negotiate or compromise with any of the professional ruling strata of capitalist society.”

'''98: “The Bolshevik practice of directing the proletariat from outside, by means of a disciplined underground party under the control of intellectuals who had become ‘professional revolutionaries,’ became a new profession - a profession that refused to negotiate or compromise with any of the professional ruling strata of capitalist society.”'''

Debord’s vacuous understanding of the vanguard continues to show his improper understanding of leninism as a whole. To begin with, the vanguard is not a group of “professional intellectuals” who “direct the proletariat from outside”. Instead, the vanguard is the unity of the most advanced members of the proletariat who are able to raise the proletarian’s class consciousness from mere economist trade-union consciousness into a revolutionary marxist consciousness. Secondly, the vanguard does not stubbornly refuse to negotiate or compromise. In fact, Lenin wrote Left Wing Communism: an Infantile Disorder after being accused of being too willing to negotiate!

'''103: “At the Tenth Congress, as the Kronstadt soviet was being crushed by arms and buried under a barrage of slander[...]”'''

The libertarian socialists still cry over the poor sailors of Kronstadt as if they were not anti-semitic, reactionary forces! Just because they shouted ultra-left slogans does not make them the true voice of the proletariat, but merely the petty bourgeois, reactionary sect that acted in self interest alone. As much as it hurts me to quote from Trotsky, I must say to Debord; continue to hue and cry over Kronstadt.
104: “The Russian bureaucracy then carried this consolidation of power to the next stage by subjecting the peasantry to a reign of terror, implementing the most brutal primitive accumulation of capital in history.”

'''104: “The Russian bureaucracy then carried this consolidation of power to the next stage by subjecting the peasantry to a reign of terror, implementing the most brutal primitive accumulation of capital in history.”'''

Debord continues to boldly lie to our faces! The collectivization of the peasants was far from a “reign of terror”, even less “primitive accumulation” as the products from the collective farms belonged to the workers, the only products taken by the state were collected through a tax in kind! Call me amoral, but I have no sympathy for the kulaks who held the Russian peasant masses under their grip!

Now, my original intent was to finish my entire response to this chapter and post it all in one to see if I wanted to continue. However, considering the length of this chapter I feel it’d be best to split it into 2 or 3 parts.
[[Category:Essays by Mitzo]]

Situationist International

2026-04-27T13:24:21Z

Mitzo: A barebones page on Situationism

[[File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 at 9.23.04 AM.png|thumb|[[Guy Debord]], the founding figure of Situationist thought]]
The '''Situationist International''' was a decentralized art collective consisting of [[Libertarian socialism|Libertarian Socialists]], [[Anarchism|Anarchists]], and various [[Left communism|Left Communists]] whose art was inspired by the writings of [[Guy Debord]], most specifically his work on The Spectacle, defined as "...a social relation between people that is mediated by images."<ref>{{Citation|last=Debord|first=Guy|year=1967|title=The Society of the Spectacle|title-url=https://files.libcom.org/files/The%20Society%20of%20the%20Spectacle%20Annotated%20Edition.pdf|chapter=Separation Perfected|section=4}}</ref> The Situationists used their art in an attempt to create "situations" whereby the spectacle is pulled back to allow those participating to authentically communicate and express themselves, using techniques like détourment, the vandalism of advertising and commodities in order to create new art. The Situationist International was dissolved in 1972, after the failure of [[May 68]] left only a few members.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=The Art Story|title=Situationist International|url=https://www.theartstory.org/movement/situationist-international/}}</ref>
<references />

File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 at 9.23.04 AM.png

2026-04-27T13:23:28Z

Mitzo:

a picture of situationist Guy Debord

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

2026-04-23T19:47:14Z

Mitzo: changed the wording from "pretty lax" to "relatively lax" to sound more formal

{{Infobox person|name=Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn|native_name=Александр Солженицын|birth_date=11 December 1918|birth_place=Kislovodsk, Terek Oblast, [[Russian SFSR]]|death_date=3 August 2008 (aged 89)|death_place=Moscow, [[Russian Federation|Russia]]|image=Solzhenitsyn colourised.png|death_cause=Cancer|nationality=Russian|known=Right-wing literature}}

'''Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn''' was a Russian [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]] writer, poet, [[Nobel Prize]] winner, and [[Antisemitism|anti-Semite]] best known for writing the [[Pseudohistory|pseudo-historical]] fiction novel<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=The Gulag Archipelago shouldn’t be taken seriously|date=2017-05-08|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/the-gulag-archipelago-shouldnt-be-taken-seriously/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807190103/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/the-gulag-archipelago-shouldnt-be-taken-seriously/|archive-date=2022-08-07|retrieved=2022-08-09}}</ref>{{Better source needed}} [[The Gulag Archipelago|''The Gulag Archipelago'']] (1973), along with [[One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich|''One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich'']] (1962), [[Matryona's Place|''Matryona's Place'']] (1963), [[Cancer Ward|''Cancer Ward'']] (1966), [[In the First Circle|''In the First Circle'']] (1968), [[August 1914|''August 1914'']] (1971), and several other books.

==Life==

===Early life===
Solzhenitsyn was born on 11 December 1918 in Kislovodsk, the son of the late [[Isaakiy Solzhenitsyn]] (1891–1918) and [[Taisiya Solzhenitsyna]] (1894–1944). His father was an officer in the [[Imperial Russian Army]] and his mother a farmer who had inherited a large estate from [[Zakhar Fyodorovich Shcherbak|Solzhenitsyn's grandfather]].<ref group="Note">The Solzhenitsyn family farm was collectivised by 1930.</ref> Due to his mother's poor health and his father's premature death, Solzhenitsyn was mostly raised by his [[Irina Ivanovna Shcherbak|aunt Irina]] and his maternal grandparents.

In 1924, with his father gone and with the family estate decimated by the [[Russian Civil War|Civil War]], Solzhenitsyn and his mother moved to [[Rostov-on-Don]]. He studied in school from 1926 to 1936 and became interested in literature. At the age of 18, he joined [[Komsomol]] and enrolled in [[Rostov State University|V.M. Molotov Rostov State University]]. In university, Aleksandr studied physics and mathematics, while also learning about [[history]] and [[Marxism–Leninism]] in his own time. Solzhenitsyn met chemist [[Natalya Reshetovskaya]] (1919–2003) at Rostov, whom he married on 7 April 1940. In June 1941, [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Nazi Germany]] [[Operation Barbarossa|invaded the Soviet Union]], and Solzhenitsyn's studies were cut short. Solzhenitsyn graduated from Rostov with honours. In the abstract of his test sheet, the dean's office spoke highly of him and recommended that "Comrade Solzhenitsyn" be made a university assistant or graduate student.<ref>http://bigbook.ru/publications/saraskina-02.php#_ftn10</ref>

===Great Patriotic War===
Unlike many other [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)|Soviet]] citizens, Solzhenitsyn wasn't immediately mobilised to serve in the [[Workers' and Peasants' Red Army|Red Army]] due to his poor health, even though he wanted to. By October however, the situation had become much more dire than it was in June, and on 18 October, he was drafted and assigned to a transport battalion.

In April 1942, six months into his service, Solzhenitsyn left for an artillery school in [[Kostroma]] along the [[Volga River]]. Seven months later, he was released as a sergeant and sent to [[Saransk]]. When he arrived in Saransk, he was made the commander of an artillery sound ranging battery which was assigned to the [[Bryansk Front]] of the [[63rd Army (Soviet Union)|63rd Army]]. The unit fought in the [[Battle of Kursk]] in 1943. During the battle, Solzhenitsyn was awarded the [[Order of the Patriotic War]] (2nd Class) for successfully identifying the location of and disabling three German artillery batteries.<ref>https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/podvig-chelovek_nagrazhdenie17659116/</ref> In addition, he was promoted to senior sergeant.

In May 1944, Solzhenitsyn was promoted to captain. As part of the [[48th Army (Soviet Union)|48th Army]], Solzhenitsyn's unit took part in [[Operation Bagration]]. He yet again was awarded on 8 July 1944—this time the [[Order of the Red Star]]—for detecting two German batteries and ordering counter batteries to fire upon them.<ref>https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/podvig-chelovek_nagrazhdenie19998084/</ref>

===Arrest and trial===
As the war raged on, Solzhenitsyn became more and more disillusioned with Stalin's government. He blamed initial military setbacks on Stalin's poor management, accused Stalin of "distorting Leninism", compared the Soviet system to [[Feudalism]], and claimed to have witnessed horrible atrocities such as rape and murder being committed by Soviet military personnel against the German civilian population in [[Republic of Poland (1944–1945)|Poland]] (which he viewed as needless acts of revenge, perpetrated in response to earlier atrocities by the Germans). He also observed the harsh conditions that the exhausted, demoralised, frozen, and starved [[German Army (1935–1945)|German Army]] had to endure. All of this led to him beginning to lose faith in the regime and sympathising not just with German civilians but even Nazi soldiers and [[Collaboration with Nazi Germany|collaborators]] (with future Solzhenitsyn going so far as to defend figures like [[Andrey Vlasov]]).<ref><blockquote>"Vlasov's Second Shock Army [...] was 46 miles (70 kilometres) deep inside the German lines! And from then on, the reckless Stalinist Supreme Command could find neither men nor ammunition to reinforce even those troops. [...] The army was without food and, at the same time, Vlasov was refused permission to retreat. [...] Now this, of course, was treason to the Motherland! This, of course, was vicious, self-obsessed betrayal! But it was Stalin's. [...] It can include ignorance and carelessness in the preparations for war, confusion and cowardice at its very start, the meaningless sacrifice of armies and corps solely for the sake of saving one's own marshal's uniform. Indeed, what more bitter treason is there on the part of a Supreme Commander in Chief?"</blockquote>
Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago, 1918--1956. An Experiment in Literary Investigation I--II (New York: Harper & Row, 1974), p. 253, note.</ref>

In mid-1943, Solzhenitsyn and his closest friend [[Nikolai Vitkevich]], a chemist and a fellow officer, wrote a "Resolution" calling for the creation of an organisation with the mission of overthrowing the Soviet government. The "Resolution" does not appear to be available online, though Solzhenitsyn's biographer, [[D. M. Thomas]], by no means pro-Soviet (as he frequently portrays the Soviet government in a negative light in the book and was even awarded the [[Orwell Prize]] for his biography of Solzhenitsyn in 1999)<ref>[https://www.orwellfoundation.com/book-title/alexander-solzhenitsyn-a-century-in-his-life/ "1999 BOOK PRIZE WINNER"]. [[The Orwell Foundation]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230610170124/https://www.orwellfoundation.com/book-title/alexander-solzhenitsyn-a-century-in-his-life/ Archived] from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2024-01-21.</ref> gives the following description of the "Resolution":<blockquote>The two young officers, after days of discussion, astonishingly drew up a program for change, entitled "Resolution No. 1." They argued that the Soviet regime stifled economic development, literature, culture, and everyday life; '''a new organization was needed to fight to put things right'''.<ref>[[D. M. Thomas|Thomas, D. M.]] (1999).: ''Alexander Solzhenitsyn: a Century in His Life''. New York City. [[St. Martin's Press]]. p. 105.</ref></blockquote>Solzhenitsyn stated in a 1977 interview with [[Michael Scammell]] that:<blockquote>Koka [Vitkevich] and I had moved a very long way forward. What we did in essence was to found a kind of new [[political party]]. We wrote our . . . Resolution No. 1. There was a descriptive introduction in which we characterized the Soviet regime as having all the attributes of feudalism and exploiting all our lives. . . . Then we described its influence on economics, how it stifled economic development, how it stifled literature and culture and our everyday lives. '''We said that it had to be fought against and that it was impossible to undertake all these tasks without forming an organization. This was our final point: an organization was absolutely essential. That is, we were saying in effect that we needed to create a new party'''.<ref name=":1">Scammell, Michael (1984).: ''Solzhenitsyn: A Biography''. [[W. W. Norton & Company]]. New York. p. 122.</ref></blockquote>

"Political party" in this context was likely a euphemism for a clandestine resistance/opposition group. Solzhenitsyn frequently used euphemisms and pseudonyms in both his written and verbal correspondence, choosing his words very carefully (in the USSR mainly to avoid arrest, and in the West to paint himself as a victim).

Solzhenitsyn and Vitkevich weren't immediately arrested in 1943 as they kept to themselves and avoided speaking to anyone else about the "Resolution". Solzhenitsyn hid his copy of the "Resolution" in his map case while Vitkevich kept his in his gas-mask holder.<ref name=":1" /> But in late-1944, Solzhenitsyn and Vitkevich were separated, and in order to keep in touch, they had to write to each other.<blockquote>Though Koka had been moved to another front, he and Sanya [Solzhenitsyn] continued to discuss their anti-Stalinist "Resolution" in an exchange of letters, referring jokily to '''"the war after the war" in which they would carry out the program''' drawn up in the—echoing the [[Tehran Conference]]—"Big Two" conference they had had.<ref>Thomas, p. 112-113.</ref></blockquote>Military censors, who in 1945 had been monitoring Solzhenitsyn's correspondence for some time, picked up on his anti-Soviet agitation and, on 2 February 1945, [[SMERSH]] ordered his arrest. Seven days later, he was taken into custody, stripped of his rank, and sent to [[Lubyanka Building|Lubyanka Prison]]. From 20 February to 25 May, Solzhenitsyn was interrogated by the [[People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs|NKGB]], who had obtained copies of "Resolution No. 1" as well as all correspondence between him, Natalya, Vitkevich, and a few others from April 1944 and February 1945.

Solzhenitsyn was charged with spreading anti-Soviet propaganda (Article 58, Paragraph 10 of the [[Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926]]) and founding a hostile organisation (Article 58, Paragraph 11 of the Criminal Code).

A court drew up a verdict which was then approved by [[Commissar of State Security]] (3rd Class) [[Pyotr Fedotov]] in June. A month later, on 7 June 1945, Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, 26, was found guilty in absentia and sentenced to eight years in a [[Main Administration of Camps|labour camp]] followed by permanent internal exile afterwards.

[[Anti-communism|Bourgeois ideologues]] cite Solzhenitsyn's arrest and imprisonment as an example of supposed "brutal [[Communism|Communist]] repression", either not aware of or choosing to ignore the fact that Solzhenitsyn conspired to overthrow the Soviet government (and the Soviet government was likely aware of this since they had been monitoring Solzhenitsyn's correspondence). Solzhenitsyn himself claimed in a short autobiography that:<blockquote>I was arrested on the basis of censored extracts from my correspondence with a school friend in 1944-5, '''basically for disrespectful remarks about Stalin''', although we referred to him by a pseudonym.<ref>Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr (1971).: [https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/autobiography ''Autobiography'']. [[The Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Center]]. Retrieved 2023-12-30.</ref></blockquote>The [[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Center]], whose President is Solzhenitsyn's son [[Ignat Solzhenitsyn|Ignat]], says in its biography of Solzhenitsyn:<blockquote>In 1945 he was arrested '''for criticising Stalin in private correspondence''' and sentenced to an eight-year term in a labour camp, to be followed by permanent internal exile.<ref>[https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/his-life-overview/biography "Biography"]. ''The Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Center''. Retrieved 2023-12-30.</ref></blockquote>Again, the fact that Solzhenitsyn formed or planned to form an organisation for the explicit purpose of overthrowing Stalin's government isn't mentioned.

In most countries in the world today (and certainly back then), forming or planning to form an organisation with the intent of overthrowing one's own government would be considered [[treason]]. Furthermore, in most countries in the world at the time, treason was considered a capital crime, that is, [[Capital punishment|a crime punishable by death]]).

This was the case in Russia as well. Article 58, Paragraph 10 of the Russian SFSR's Criminal Code states that:<blockquote>'''Propaganda or agitation, containing a call for the overthrow, subversion, or weakening of Soviet authority or for the carrying out of other counterrevolutionary crimes''' (art. 58-2 to 58-9 of this code), and likewise the distribution or preparation or keeping of literature of this nature shall be punishable by--

deprivation of liberty for a term not less than six months.

'''The same actions during mass disturbances''', or with the use of religious or nationalist prejudices of the masses, '''or in a war situation''', or in areas proclaimed to be in a war situation, shall be punishable by--

measures of social defence, indicated in art. 58-2 of this code.<ref>Article 58, Paragraph 10 of the [[Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926]].</ref></blockquote>Such measure social defence, indicated in Article 58, Paragraph 2 were:<blockquote>The supreme measure of social defence-- shooting, or proclamation as an enemy of the workers, with confiscation of property and with deprivation of citizenship of the union Republic, and likewise of citizenship of the Soviet Union and perpetual expulsion beyond the borders of the USSR, with the allowance under extenuating circumstances of reduction to deprivation of liberty for a term of no less than three years, with confiscation of all or part of one's property.<ref>Article 58, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926.</ref></blockquote>Considering that Solzhenitsyn could have been facing the death penalty, the actual punishment he received for his crime was relatively lax

===Imprisonment===
Initially, instead of doing manual labour, Solzhenitsyn was assigned a job at the [[Research Institute of Communications]] in [[Moscow]] due to his background as a physicist. There he met [[Lev Kopelev]], a Russian-Jewish author of German descent, and [[Dmitry Panin]], an engineer. Solzhenitsyn based the characters Lev Rubin and Sologdin off these two in ''In the First Circle'' (1968). Solzhenitsyn seems to have had an effect on Panin, as Panin, like Solzhenitsyn, began referring to the leader of the Soviet Union as the "Godfather"<ref group="Note">Panin used it in reference to [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]], while Solzhenitsyn did in reference to Stalin.</ref> and adopted the name Sologdin in his book ''[[The Notebooks of Sologdin]]'' (1973).

While Solzhenitsyn was serving his sentence, his wife divorced him in December 1948.

In 1950, Solzhenitsyn was transferred to the (1st) Special Camp in [[Ekibastuz]], [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakhstan]]. He was put to work as a miner, construction worker, and foreman. While at Ekibastuz, he was given free medical care following the appearance of a tumor.

====Ekibastuz uprising====
Solzhenitsyn took part in the [[Ekibastuz uprising]] of 1952. To summarise, in the Autumn of 1951, around 2,000 Western [[Ukraine|Ukrainians]] (most of them Nazi collaborators) were interned at the [[Main Administration of Camps|Gulag]] in Ekibastuz. Four years earlier, in 1947, the maximum sentence had been raised from 20 years to 25 years. Considering the dramatic drop in life expectancy after 1940,<ref>https://www.statista.com/statistics/1041395/life-expectancy-russia-all-time/</ref> this was essentially a life sentence. These prisoners, still holding pro-Nazi beliefs and having nothing to lose, began organising. The Ukrainian Nationalists identified prisoners who were sympathetic to or worked with the camp administration and had them killed. Dozens of informants, who could've just been regular prisoners that reported when things went wrong or undercover guards were also murdered.

When the camp administration learnt of this on 6 January, they began transferring the Western Ukrainian prisoners to the 2nd of the two camps in the Gulag. On 22 January 1952, the Nazis in the 1st camp rioted, destroying the fence around the security barracks. Their goals were to 1) gain access to the informers' cell in the security barracks where the informants were hiding, and burn anyone in there alive; and 2) release the prisoners that had been suspected of the earlier murders. Before they could accomplish their goal, however, some of the other prisoners ratted them out.

The guards took up positions from their towers and opened fire with machine guns, killing many. After the shooting, even more guards came out onto the yard, armed with pipes and batons. They began beating the mob, injuring three and killing one. In all, twenty-one prisoners were killed. Solzhenitsyn was already in his cell by the time this had happened.

The next morning on 23 January, most of the prisoners in the 1st Camp launched a hunger strike, refusing to eat or work. The demands of the strike were 1) the guards who defended those men in the security barracks were to be tried, 2) the locks would be removed from the prisoners' barracks, 3) the numbers would be removed from the prisoners' uniforms, and 4) all [[Special Council of the NKVD|Special Council]] sentences in the Ekibastuz gulag would be reviewed in open courts (the only reasonable demand out of all of them).

Solzhenitsyn, knowing very well that the rioters were Nazi collaborators, thugs, and murderers, joined in on the strike. But by 19 February, when most of the protesters realised that their demands weren't going to be met, they gave up. The instigators of the strike were sent to other camps.

===First exile===
On 13 February 1953, Solzhenitsyn was released and exiled to [[Birlik, Kazakhstan|Birlik]] in Southeastern Kazakhstan. Less than a month later, Stalin was dead. In the ensuing [[1953 Soviet Coup d'état|power struggle]], [[Nikita Khrushchev]] emerged as the [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|leader]]. While in exile, Solzhenitsyn worked at a school teaching maths and physics. However, his health began to deteriorate, and in late-1953 he was diagnosed with cancer following the appearance of a tumor in his abdomen. For his diagnosis, Solzhenitsyn was allowed to leave for [[Tashkent]] in [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1991)|Uzbekistan]]. His experiences there and in the Gulags became the basis of the novel ''Cancer Ward'' (1966).

Solzhenitsyn returned to exile after his treatment, and for three years he wallowed in his own loathing and self-pity. He genuinely believed that he had murdered innocent Nazi artillerymen who had no choice but to genocide [[Eastern Europe]]. However, during the [[Khrushchev Thaw]] in June 1956, Solzhenitsyn was pardoned and released from exile by the Soviet government.

===Return to Russia===
After his exile ended, Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia, working as a schoolteacher in [[Ryazan]]. He remarried his ex-wife on 2 February 1957. Four days after that, Solzhenitsyn was rehabilitated by the [[Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union]]. In 1962, with the full backing of Khrushchev and [[Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Politburo]] (who were trying to [[Destalinisation|discredit the legacy of Stalin]]), Solzhenitsyn was granted permission to join the [[Union of Soviet Writers]] and publish ''One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich''. The book was very influential, having sold hundreds of thousands of copies in its first year, and was even taught in Soviet schools. The journal which published the book, [[Novy Mir (1925)|''Novy Mir'']], nominated Solzhenitsyn for the [[Lenin Prize]] in 1964, although it was instead awarded to the electrical engineer [[Vladimir Kotelnikov]].

Solzhenitsyn published three short stories in 1963, those being ''[[An Incident at Krechetovka Station]]'', ''Matryona's Place'', and ''[[For the Good of the Cause]]''. Around the same time, Solzhenitsyn approached ''Novy Mir'' once more and asked that they also print ''Cancer Ward'', although such pleas were never answered.

In 1964, the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR|Central Committee]] ousted Khrushchev and replaced him with [[Leonid Brezhnev|Brezhnev]]. Brezhnev reversed many of Khrushchev's reforms, including strengthening censorship. This personally affected Solzhenitsyn, whose writings were no longer being published, whose written draft for ''In The First Circle'' was seized from his friend's apartment by the [[KGB]], and who was removed from the Union of Soviet Writers in 1969. In a desperate bid to save some of his writings, Solzhenitsyn sent the manuscripts he was writing to colleagues. The drafts for ''The Gulag Archipelago'', for example, were sent to [[Heli Susi]], the daughter of an [[Republic of Estonia|Estonian]] Nazi collaborator he had met at Lubyanka.

In August 1968, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn began an affair with a woman named [[Natalya Solzhenitsyna|Natalya Svetlova]] (1939–). This would culminate in his wife Reshetovskaya attempting suicide via drug overdose<ref>[[Komsomolskaya Pravda]] (2003).: [https://www.kp.ru/daily/23042/4039/ ''Natalya Reshetovskaya Died - Solzhenitsyn's First Wife'']. </ref> and seeking divorce once more, which she obtained in 1972. Aleksandr married Svetlova the following year. They had three children in total: [[Yermolai Solzhenitsyn|Yermolai]] (1970–), Ignat (1972–), and [[Stepan Solzhenitsyn]] (1973–). In addition, Aleksandr [[Dmitry Andreevich Tyurin|took up a stepson]] from Svetlova's previous marriage.

While he had lost the heart of the Soviet government, Solzhenitsyn was still the darling of the [[Western Bloc|West]]. By this point in his life, Solzhenitsyn's works had been read by millions of people and were available in dozens of languages. Journalists from all over the world interviewed him and listened to what he had to say about this issue or the other. And in 1970, the [[Kingdom of Sweden|Swedish]] government awarded Solzhenitsyn the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]. Solzhenitsyn didn't claim the prize until 1974 out of fear that he would be barred from the Union while on visit to Sweden, but the award was still his.

In 1971, Solzhenitsyn fell ill after a visit to [[Novocherkassk]], the site of the [[Novocherkassk massacre]] of 1962. Many journalists and historians believe that Solzhenitsyn was covertly poisoned by the KGB, although no evidence beyond the testimony of one Soviet general exists to support this claim<ref>[[Remnick, David]] (1992).: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/04/21/kgb-plot-to-assassinate-solzhenitsyn-reported/aa5de1cd-efa2-4953-ba6a-2a42f93e33b1/ ''KGB PLOT TO ASSASSINATE SOLZHENITSYN REPORTED'']. [[The Washington Post]].</ref>. Conspiracy or not, Solzhenitsyn survived and would continue to agitate against the Soviet Union for almost another 37 years.

The KGB under the leadership of [[Yuri Andropov]] became suspicious of Solzhenitsyn's colleagues for whatever reason and began investigating them. They discovered the notes of [[Elizaveta Voronyanskaya]] (typewriter and close associate of his), which mentioned ''The Gulag Archipelago''. These notes were sent to the Central Committee in order to gain an arrest warrant. The request was approved, and in August 1973 she was detained at the [[Moskovsky railway station (Saint Petersburg)|Moskovsky railway station]] in [[Saint Petersburg]] and taken in for questioning. She revealed the location of one of the three copies of ''The Gulag Archipelago'' (at the dacha of [[Leonid Samutin]], a Nazi collaborator and friend of Solzhenitsyn) which was then seized by the Soviet government. Elizaveta was released within five days of interrogation, and on 23 August, she committed suicide by hanging herself.

Solzhenitsyn, upon hearing of her death, realised what was happening and quickly sent a copy of ''The Gulag Archipelago'' to [[French Republic|France]] in September 1973. It was initially published in its original Russian, but later translated into French and English.

On 31 August 1973, an open letter was published in [[Pravda]], condemning [[Andrei Sakharov|Sakharov]] and Solzhenitsyn for "slander[ing] our state and social system." The letter was signed by 31 writers, including [[Mikhail Sholokhov]] and [[Chinghiz Aimatov]].

=== Arrest and deportation ===
On 11 February 1974, Solzhenitsyn was arrested and taken to [[Lefortovo Prison]] in Moscow. Proceedings began not long after, with Solzhenitsyn being tried for treason under [[Article 64]] of the RSFSR Penal Code. Solzhenitsyn said that this was "unexpected" and simply referred to the charge as a "grave accusation." When asked by ''[[The New York Times]]'' to elaborate on what he meant by that, he refused.<ref>[[Hedrick Smith|Smith, Hedrick]] (1974).: [https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/14/archives/solzhenitsyn-exiled-to-west-germany-and-stripped-of-his-soviet.html ''Solzhenitsyn Exiled to West Germany And Stripped of His Soviet Citizenship'']. [[The New York Times]].</ref> On 12 February, he was stripped of his citizenship, and on 13 February, he was flown to [[Frankfurt]] in [[Federal Republic of Germany|West Germany]].

=== Second exile ===
He temporarily lived at the house of [[Heinrich Böll]] (a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]-affiliate via the [[Congress for Cultural Freedom]]) in [[Kreuzau, Germany|Kreuzau]], [[Cologne (region)|Cologne]], before moving to [[Zürich]]. He was only in Switzerland for a few months before he decided to move again, this time to [[Cavendish, Vermont]]. Today, an exhibit is dedicated to him nearby at the [[Vermont Historical Society Museum]] in [[Montpelier, Vermont|Montpelier]]. While in Switzerland, his wife (who lost her Soviet citizenship in 1976) created the [[Solzhenitsyn Aid Fund]].

During the period from 1974 to 1994, while Solzhenitsyn was in the West, his writings claimed that:

* Communism killed 110 million Russians<ref name=":0">''The New York Times'' (1976).: [https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/22/archives/solzhenitsyn-bids-spain-use-caution.html ''SOLZHENITSYN BIDS SPAIN USE CAUTION''].</ref> (even higher than the estimate provided by ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' (1997), which, through erroneous methodology, came to the conclusion that Communism killed 93 million people worldwide).
*[[Kingdom of Spain|Spanish]] progressives shouldn't push to hard for change, because Spain was more free under [[Francisco Franco]] than the Soviet Union was at any point in its history. The Spanish don't know what dictatorship is; only Solzhenitsyn does.<ref name=":0" />
* It was literally impossible to move from city-to-city in the Soviet Union (despite Solzhenitsyn traveling to Kislovodsk, Rostov, Ryazan, Novocherkassk, etc. on his own accord).'''<ref name=":0" />'''
* People shouldn't have fought against the [[Vietnam War]] because it would make the [[Western Bloc]] look weak on Communism or something in the future (the implication being that the United States should have stayed in Vietnam).<ref>[[New York Post]] (2008).: [https://nypost.com/2008/08/05/alexander-solzhenitsyn-1918-2008/ ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN, 1918-2008].</ref><ref>[[Lee Lescaze|Lescaze, Lee]] (1978): ''[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/06/09/solzhenitsyn-says-west-is-failing-as-model-for-world/69e9fb6c-60d6-41f3-9022-606631a60e35/ Solzhenitsyn Says West Is Failing as Model for World]''. The Washington Post.</ref>

In 1983, Solzhenitsyn was awarded the [[Templeton Prize]], which "honours individuals whose exemplary achievements advance [[John Templeton|Sir John Templeton]]'s philanthropic vision"<ref>https://www.templetonprize.org/templeton-prize-history/</ref> Templeton was a billion-dollar banker, investor, and philanthropist.

=== Later life ===
In 1990, Solzhenitsyn regained his Soviet citizenship, and in 1994, he and his wife moved to the newly-formed [[Russian Federation]]. Their children stayed in the US, although Solzhenitsyn's stepson, Dmitry, died the same year. Solzhenitsyn had numerous TV shows and documentaries made of him, gave a speech at the [[State Duma]], and personally met with [[Vladimir Putin]] and [[Boris Yeltsin]] (whom he supported).

Solzhenitsyn died of heart failure on 3 August 2008 at the age of 89. His funeral was held on 5-6 August, with attendees including Vladimir Putin, [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]], and [[Yevgeny Primakov]], among others. He was buried at the [[Donskoy Monastery]] in Moscow.

==Antisemitism==

*Solzhenitsyn used the [[Yiddish]] rendering of the word ''Balebos'' (meaning "[<nowiki/>[[Jewish]]] maste<nowiki/>r of the house") in reference to Stalin. Stalin himself was not Jewish. He, like Solzhenitsyn, was a [[Christianity|Christian]] convert to [[Atheism]]. But that doesn't stop anti-Semites from claiming that the [[October Revolution|Bolshevik Revolution]] was a plot by "international Jewry."
*For "some reason," Solzhenitsyn emphasises the Jewishness of the Russian [[Anarchism|anarchist]], [[Dmitry Bogrov]], in his 1971 book ''August 1914''.
*He claimed that Jews were treated better in the Gulags than non-Jews were.<ref>[[Nick Paton Walsh|Walsh, Paton Nick]] (2003).: [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/25/russia.books ''Solzhenitsyn breaks last taboo of the revolution'']. [[The Guardian]].</ref>

==References==
[[Category:Anti-communists]]
<references />

== Notes ==
<references group="Note" />
[[Category:Russians of Ukrainian descent]]
[[Category:Red Army soldiers]]
[[Category:Antisemitism]]

Nikolai Bukharin

2026-04-13T17:46:49Z

Mitzo: fixed the link to market socialism in his infobox

{{Infobox politician|name=Nikolai Bukharin|native_name=Никола́й Буха́рин|birth_date=9 October 1888|death_date=15 March 1938|birth_place=[[Moscow]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_place=Moscow, [[RSFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]|death_cause=Execution|nationality=Russian|political_orientation=[[Opportunism]]
[[Mechanism]]
[[Market socialism]]|image=Bukharin.png}}

'''Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin''' (9 October 1888 – 15 March 1938) was a [[Russian Federation|Russian]] [[Revolution|revolutionary]] and [[Communism|communist]] politician. After the [[October Revolution]], he initially became a member of a [[Left-communism|left-communist]] opposition group with [[Yevgeni Preobrazhensky|Preobrazhensky]] that supported [[Leon Trotsky|Trotsky]] over [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]. During the [[New Economic Policy]], he became a [[Opportunism#Right opportunism|right-opportunist]] and supported the [[bourgeoisie]]<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> and [[Kulak|kulaks]]. He formed an anti-party bloc with [[Alexei Rykov]] and [[Mikhail Tomsky]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> In early 1929, Bukharin confessed to [[Jules Humbert-Droz]], a [[Swiss Confederation|Swiss]] [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and a friend, that the bloc was forced to resort to [[terrorism]] in order to remove [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] for the lack of public or Party support.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Jules Humbert-Droz]]|year=1929|title=Nikolai Bukharin on the Use of Individual Terror Against Stalin|chapter=Courtesy: Jules Humbert-Droz, ‘De Lénin à Staline, Dix Ans Au Service de L’ Internationale Communiste 1921-31’, A la Baconniére, Neuchâtel, 1971, pp. 379-80. Translated from the French by Vijay Singh|chapter-url=https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv8n1/bukharin.htm}}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Revolution ===
In 1918, Bukharin planned to arrest Lenin, Stalin, and [[Yakov Sverdlov|Sverdlov]] and create a new government of [[Party of Socialist-Revolutionaries|SRs]] and left communists.<ref name=":0223" />

=== 1930s ===
Bukharin was the chief editor of the government newspaper ''[[Izvestiya]]'' during the early 1930s. He met with the [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] [[Nikolayevsky]] in [[Paris]] to buy some manuscripts of [[Karl Marx|Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]] and admitted that he saw Stalin as "not a man, a devil."<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another view of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|title-url=|chapter-url=|PW-work=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|quote=During his trial, Bukharin admitted in front of the tribunal that in 1918, after the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, that there was a plan to arrest Lenin, Stalin and Sverdlov, and to form a new government composed of `left-communists' and Social Revolutionaries. But he firmly denied that there was also a plan to execute them.

`Stalin aimed at one party dictatorship and complete centralisation. Bukharin envisaged several parties and even nationalist parties, and stood for the maximum of decentralisation. He was also in favour of vesting authority in the various constituent republics and thought that the more important of these should even control their own foreign relations. By 1936, Bukharin was approaching the social democratic standpoint of the left-wing socialists of the West.'}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
Bukharin believed the [[Peasantry|peasants]] were aligned with the bourgeoisie and supported the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[First World War|World War]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref><ref name=":0223" />

=== Collectivization ===
Bukharin believed that [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)#Collectivization|collectivization]] was not possible at the planned rate and that middle and poor peasants did not want to collectivize.<ref name=":052">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Collectivization|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=62}}</ref> After collectivization was completed, he wanted to reverse it.<ref name=":0223" />

=== Elections ===
Bukharin wanted to create another political party composed of [[Intellectual|intellectuals]] to run against the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] in elections. He also advocated for other opposition parties including [[Nationalism|nationalist]] parties.<ref name=":0223" />

== Philosophical views ==
Bukharin promoted the [[Metaphysics|anti-dialectical]] theory of [[mechanism]], which claimed that systems exist at equilibrium and cannot change or move without external influence. In 1921, Lenin criticized him for not understanding dialectics. The April 1929 meeting of the Second All-Union Conference of Marxist–Leninist Scientific Institutions rejected mechanism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE USSR: Mechanism VS Dialectics (1920s)|date=2022-10-09|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316150841/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-date=2024-03-16}}</ref>

== Execution ==
Bukharin was executed in 1937 after the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]] revealed that he had joined an anti-Soviet bloc with Leon Trotsky and [[Grigory Zinoviev]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle to Complete the Building of the Socialist Society. Introduction of the New Constitution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch12.htm}}</ref> [[Grigori Tokaty|Grigory Tokaev]] (an "ultra-conspiratorial" liberal oppositionist)<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=61|quote=from this statement alone my other readers will grasp in what a turgid atmosphere, in what an ultra-conspiratorial manner-- not even knowing one another's characters-- we oppositionists of the U.S.S.R. have to work.|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref> writes in ''Betrayal of an Ideal'' that Bukharin had denounced public opposition to Stalin's government in 1935.<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1955|title=Betrayal of an Ideal|page=168, 284|quote=This was all typical Bukharin, this notion of working up a general spirit of resistance, without ever a trace of direct organised struggle against the policy of extreme measures. He was ready to talk about a new revolution, yet refused to admit that it was feasible until the masses had acquired a sense of what it all meant. As for us, the younger generation, he urged us to have confidence in ourselves, but he also urged us to have patience. Events were to prove him right in this and, in the long run, we realised that in the early thirties we approached our political problems in a very shallow way. Two years later, in 1934, we attacked Bukharin and his fellows savagely, accusing them of slithering back into the bogs of Stalinism, but eventually we were to understand that they knew far better than we did what was possible and what was not. The fact that at our first meeting he told us nothing could be done to stop forced collectivisation did not mean that he did not condemn it; it merely meant that he was less powerful than we had foolishly thought he was. (168)

[...]

After I came out of hospital I delivered to Bukharin a resolution prepared by my comrades, which described his action as "renegade, capitulatory and treacherous". His only answer was a morose silence.

He had urged us to think for ourselves and to try to bring our influence to bear on public matters; now he himself had turned against the views, the faith he had stirred up. He would like to have regained our confidence, but it was too late. He had allowed himself to be broken. As a political figure he was on the run. The inevitable ending was already in sight. Soon he was to be arrested, charged with a crime he had never committed, and shamefully put to death.

'Learn by my errors," Bukharin had said when I handed him our resolution, "and bear in mind that Stalin always has a dirty trick up his sleeve." Alas, there were too many errors for us to learn from, and we had to look for more reliable models on which to shape our lives than this intelligent but weak man who made so puny a statesman. (284)|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> Tokaev expresses frustration that [[Kamenev]] establishes links between himself, Zinoviev, and Bukharin during his 1935 trial, and "thus, in the course of the second Moscow trial, were sewn the seeds of the fourth trial."<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=59|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Despite turning to opportunism and social-democracy later in life, Bukharin is still a highly influential Marxist and is considered to be the forefather of [[Market socialism|Market Socialism]], with some comparing his ideas of building up socialism slowly through the [[NEP]] to [[Deng Xiaoping|Deng Xiaoping's]] period of [[Reform and Opening Up|"Reform and Opening Up"]]<ref>{{Citation|author=James White|year=2007|title=Soviet Studies|title-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ceas19|chapter=Chinese Studies of Bukharin|chapter-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09668139108411958}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Russian Marxists]]
<references />
[[Category:Russians by descent]]
[[Category:People in Russia]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukharin, Nikolai}}

Nikolai Bukharin

2026-04-13T17:46:07Z

Mitzo: added Mechanism and Market Socialism to the ideology section of his info box

{{Infobox politician|name=Nikolai Bukharin|native_name=Никола́й Буха́рин|birth_date=9 October 1888|death_date=15 March 1938|birth_place=[[Moscow]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_place=Moscow, [[RSFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]|death_cause=Execution|nationality=Russian|political_orientation=[[Opportunism]]
[[Mechanism]]
[[Market Socialism]]|image=Bukharin.png}}

'''Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin''' (9 October 1888 – 15 March 1938) was a [[Russian Federation|Russian]] [[Revolution|revolutionary]] and [[Communism|communist]] politician. After the [[October Revolution]], he initially became a member of a [[Left-communism|left-communist]] opposition group with [[Yevgeni Preobrazhensky|Preobrazhensky]] that supported [[Leon Trotsky|Trotsky]] over [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]. During the [[New Economic Policy]], he became a [[Opportunism#Right opportunism|right-opportunist]] and supported the [[bourgeoisie]]<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> and [[Kulak|kulaks]]. He formed an anti-party bloc with [[Alexei Rykov]] and [[Mikhail Tomsky]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> In early 1929, Bukharin confessed to [[Jules Humbert-Droz]], a [[Swiss Confederation|Swiss]] [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and a friend, that the bloc was forced to resort to [[terrorism]] in order to remove [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] for the lack of public or Party support.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Jules Humbert-Droz]]|year=1929|title=Nikolai Bukharin on the Use of Individual Terror Against Stalin|chapter=Courtesy: Jules Humbert-Droz, ‘De Lénin à Staline, Dix Ans Au Service de L’ Internationale Communiste 1921-31’, A la Baconniére, Neuchâtel, 1971, pp. 379-80. Translated from the French by Vijay Singh|chapter-url=https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv8n1/bukharin.htm}}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Revolution ===
In 1918, Bukharin planned to arrest Lenin, Stalin, and [[Yakov Sverdlov|Sverdlov]] and create a new government of [[Party of Socialist-Revolutionaries|SRs]] and left communists.<ref name=":0223" />

=== 1930s ===
Bukharin was the chief editor of the government newspaper ''[[Izvestiya]]'' during the early 1930s. He met with the [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] [[Nikolayevsky]] in [[Paris]] to buy some manuscripts of [[Karl Marx|Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]] and admitted that he saw Stalin as "not a man, a devil."<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another view of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|title-url=|chapter-url=|PW-work=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|quote=During his trial, Bukharin admitted in front of the tribunal that in 1918, after the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, that there was a plan to arrest Lenin, Stalin and Sverdlov, and to form a new government composed of `left-communists' and Social Revolutionaries. But he firmly denied that there was also a plan to execute them.

`Stalin aimed at one party dictatorship and complete centralisation. Bukharin envisaged several parties and even nationalist parties, and stood for the maximum of decentralisation. He was also in favour of vesting authority in the various constituent republics and thought that the more important of these should even control their own foreign relations. By 1936, Bukharin was approaching the social democratic standpoint of the left-wing socialists of the West.'}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
Bukharin believed the [[Peasantry|peasants]] were aligned with the bourgeoisie and supported the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[First World War|World War]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref><ref name=":0223" />

=== Collectivization ===
Bukharin believed that [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)#Collectivization|collectivization]] was not possible at the planned rate and that middle and poor peasants did not want to collectivize.<ref name=":052">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Collectivization|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=62}}</ref> After collectivization was completed, he wanted to reverse it.<ref name=":0223" />

=== Elections ===
Bukharin wanted to create another political party composed of [[Intellectual|intellectuals]] to run against the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] in elections. He also advocated for other opposition parties including [[Nationalism|nationalist]] parties.<ref name=":0223" />

== Philosophical views ==
Bukharin promoted the [[Metaphysics|anti-dialectical]] theory of [[mechanism]], which claimed that systems exist at equilibrium and cannot change or move without external influence. In 1921, Lenin criticized him for not understanding dialectics. The April 1929 meeting of the Second All-Union Conference of Marxist–Leninist Scientific Institutions rejected mechanism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE USSR: Mechanism VS Dialectics (1920s)|date=2022-10-09|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316150841/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-date=2024-03-16}}</ref>

== Execution ==
Bukharin was executed in 1937 after the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]] revealed that he had joined an anti-Soviet bloc with Leon Trotsky and [[Grigory Zinoviev]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle to Complete the Building of the Socialist Society. Introduction of the New Constitution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch12.htm}}</ref> [[Grigori Tokaty|Grigory Tokaev]] (an "ultra-conspiratorial" liberal oppositionist)<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=61|quote=from this statement alone my other readers will grasp in what a turgid atmosphere, in what an ultra-conspiratorial manner-- not even knowing one another's characters-- we oppositionists of the U.S.S.R. have to work.|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref> writes in ''Betrayal of an Ideal'' that Bukharin had denounced public opposition to Stalin's government in 1935.<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1955|title=Betrayal of an Ideal|page=168, 284|quote=This was all typical Bukharin, this notion of working up a general spirit of resistance, without ever a trace of direct organised struggle against the policy of extreme measures. He was ready to talk about a new revolution, yet refused to admit that it was feasible until the masses had acquired a sense of what it all meant. As for us, the younger generation, he urged us to have confidence in ourselves, but he also urged us to have patience. Events were to prove him right in this and, in the long run, we realised that in the early thirties we approached our political problems in a very shallow way. Two years later, in 1934, we attacked Bukharin and his fellows savagely, accusing them of slithering back into the bogs of Stalinism, but eventually we were to understand that they knew far better than we did what was possible and what was not. The fact that at our first meeting he told us nothing could be done to stop forced collectivisation did not mean that he did not condemn it; it merely meant that he was less powerful than we had foolishly thought he was. (168)

[...]

After I came out of hospital I delivered to Bukharin a resolution prepared by my comrades, which described his action as "renegade, capitulatory and treacherous". His only answer was a morose silence.

He had urged us to think for ourselves and to try to bring our influence to bear on public matters; now he himself had turned against the views, the faith he had stirred up. He would like to have regained our confidence, but it was too late. He had allowed himself to be broken. As a political figure he was on the run. The inevitable ending was already in sight. Soon he was to be arrested, charged with a crime he had never committed, and shamefully put to death.

'Learn by my errors," Bukharin had said when I handed him our resolution, "and bear in mind that Stalin always has a dirty trick up his sleeve." Alas, there were too many errors for us to learn from, and we had to look for more reliable models on which to shape our lives than this intelligent but weak man who made so puny a statesman. (284)|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> Tokaev expresses frustration that [[Kamenev]] establishes links between himself, Zinoviev, and Bukharin during his 1935 trial, and "thus, in the course of the second Moscow trial, were sewn the seeds of the fourth trial."<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=59|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Despite turning to opportunism and social-democracy later in life, Bukharin is still a highly influential Marxist and is considered to be the forefather of [[Market socialism|Market Socialism]], with some comparing his ideas of building up socialism slowly through the [[NEP]] to [[Deng Xiaoping|Deng Xiaoping's]] period of [[Reform and Opening Up|"Reform and Opening Up"]]<ref>{{Citation|author=James White|year=2007|title=Soviet Studies|title-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ceas19|chapter=Chinese Studies of Bukharin|chapter-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09668139108411958}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Russian Marxists]]
<references />
[[Category:Russians by descent]]
[[Category:People in Russia]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukharin, Nikolai}}

Being and Time

2026-03-05T20:04:04Z

Mitzo: added a "see also" section

[[File:Being and Time cover.png|alt=A black circle offset slightly to the left of the middle, the words "Being and Time" are written in red diagonally down and right in red from the middle of the circle near to the right edge of the cover. Written diagonally up and right is "Martin Heidegger" in black next to the red text|thumb|Front cover for the Harper Collins Publishers edition ]]
'''Being and Time''' (German: Sein und Zeit) is a book by the [[Fascism|fascist]] and [[Philosophy#Existentialism|existentialist]] philosopher [[Martin Heidegger]]. In it, Heidegger takes a [[reactionary]] viewpoint regarding philosophy, arguing that all post-socratic (classical bourgeois) philosophy has been a distraction from the most important question of philosophy, that being the reality of the act of existing, or "being." Heidegger puts forward that individuals should ultimately live by their own "Dasein", that being the inseparable relation between object and subject<ref>{{Web citation|author=Mark Wrathall|newspaper=Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy|title=Martin Heidegger|date=2025-01-31|url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/heidegger/}}</ref>

== Influences ==
Being and Time has had a major influence in bourgeois and reactionary philosophy, more specifically on [[National Bolshevism|social-fascist]] ideology as written by [[Aleksandr Dugin]] and put into practice by groups such as the [[National Bolshevik Party]] and the [[American Communist Party (current)|American Communist Party]]<ref>{{Citation|last=Sharpe|first=Matthew|year=2020|title=In the Crosshairs of the Fourfold: Critical Thoughts on Aleksandr Dugin’s Heidegger|title-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14409917.2020.1759284}}</ref>

== See also ==
[[Aleksandr Dugin]]

[[National socialism|National Socialism]]

[[Jean-Paul Sartre]]

Being and Time

2026-03-05T20:02:35Z

Mitzo: a page for heidegger's Being and Time. considering the influence he has on social fascism it's worth having a page

File:Being and Time cover.png

2026-03-05T19:58:46Z

Mitzo:

the front cover of fascist philosopher Martin Heidegger's book Being and Time

Max Stirner

2026-03-04T14:51:38Z

Mitzo: Added a see also with links to ayn rand and libertarianism

{{Infobox philosopher|name=Max Stirner|birth_name=Johann Kaspar Schmidt|birth_date=25 October 1806|birth_place=Bayreuth, [[Kingdom of Bavaria]]|death_date=26 June 1856 (aged 49)|death_place=[[Berlin]], [[Prussia]], [[German Confederation]]|known=[[Egoism]]|image=MaxStirner.svg.png|caption=A portrait of Stirner drawn by comrade [[Engels]]}}

'''Johann Kaspar Schmidt''', professionally known as '''Max Stirner''', was a German [[Idealism|idealist]] [[Philosophy|philosopher]] and [[Young Hegelians|Young Hegelian]] influential in the development of [[Nihilism]] and [[Anarchism]] through his theories on [[Egoism]].

== Philosophical beliefs ==
Stirner, in his 1845 book, ''The Ego and His Own'', proposed a viewpoint centered on the self, suggesting that self-awareness drives history. He argued that human ideals and social norms are universal illusions, not relevant to the individual. Stirner considered concepts like morality and law as false ideas imposed on individuals. He rejected societal norms, stating that individuals should rely on their own power and will to determine truth and morality. He advocated for personal freedom over societal structures, claiming that society serves the selfish interests of individuals.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|author=A. A. Mitiushin|year=1979|title=The Great Soviet Encyclopedia|title-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020154105/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Stirner%2c+Max|chapter=Stirner, Max}}</ref>

Stirner's anarchistic and nihilistic ideas had some success among the [[intelligentsia]] of the [[petty bourgeoisie]] in the 1840s and 50s, and he exerted some influence on [[Mikhail Bakunin]] and [[Friedrich Nietzsche]].<ref name=":0" /> However, [[Karl Marx|Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]], in their book ''[[The German ideology]]'' offered a brutal critique of Stirner’s subjective idealism and his petit bourgeois individualism, as well as demonstrating the baselessness of his criticism of [[communism]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels|year=1932|title=The German Ideology|mia=https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1845/german-ideology/}}</ref>

== See also ==
[[Ayn Rand]]

[[Libertarianism]]

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Philosophers]]
[[Category:German philosophers]]
[[Category:Young Hegelians]]
[[Category:People critiqued by Marx]]

Gilles Dauvé

2026-02-22T23:37:06Z

Mitzo: added some shortcuts and needed page shortcuts and fixed some capitalization

Gilles Dauvé is a French ultra-left political theorist, school teacher, and translator, associated with the development of [[Communization|Communization theory.]] He is also associated with the [[Left communism|left-communist]] and [[Ultra-leftism|ultra-left]] concept of [[Council communism.|Council Communism.]]

Settlers: The Mythology of the White Proletariat

2026-01-31T20:02:39Z

Mitzo: began a page on Settlers I plan on expanding later

[[File:Settlers Cover.png|thumb|The third edition cover of Settlers]]
'''Settlers: The Mythology of the White Proletariat''', sometimes subtitled as '''The True Story of the White Nation''', is a 1983 book released pseudonymously by J. Sakai. In it, Sakai argues that the [[proletariat]] of the United States consist of the oppressed national minorities within it, and that the white "proletarians" are, instead, a form of [[labor aristocracy]]. Settlers is considered a central text in [[Maoism|third worldist Maoism]], but its reach extends further to other tendencies such as [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxism-Leninism]].

File:Settlers Cover.png

2026-01-31T20:01:10Z

Mitzo:

The original cover for J. Sakai's "Settlers"

Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub

2026-01-27T14:37:26Z

Mitzo: elaborated on the collaboration with the LPRP

[[File:Mlreadinghub logo.png|alt=An open book. Above it is a red star with a yellow outline. A long grain of wheat arcs from one end of the book, above the star, to the other end of the book|thumb|Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub's logo]]
'''Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub''' (shortened to ML Reading Hub or MLRH) is an online, independent publisher of [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] and [[Juche]] texts and theory. They publish these texts through the online publisher Lulu under the name of RedPrints Publishing. Alongside publishing, they also host Mount Tai press, a collaborative journal written by other Marxist-Leninists.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Who Are We?|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/about}}</ref>

ML Reading Hub also give out free books through their Book Fund efforts.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Book Fund|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/book-fund}}</ref>

ML Reading hub have also collaborated with Marxist-Leninist parties and other affiliated groups such as the Lao Front for National Development, a branch of the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]],<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Uncle Soupha|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/uncle-soupha}}</ref> the [[Communist Party Marxist Kenya|Communist Party of Kenya]],<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Building of the Communist Party of Kenya|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/building-of-the-communist-party-of-kenya}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Young Communist League.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Paint the Town Red|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/paint-the-town-red}}</ref>

Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub

2026-01-27T02:14:07Z

Mitzo: added a page for ML reading hub.

[[File:Mlreadinghub logo.png|alt=An open book. Above it is a red star with a yellow outline. A long grain of wheat arcs from one end of the book, above the star, to the other end of the book|thumb|Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub's logo]]
'''Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub''' (shortened to ML Reading Hub or MLRH) is an online, independent publisher of [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] and [[Juche]] texts and theory. They publish these texts through the online publisher Lulu under the name of RedPrints Publishing. Alongside publishing, they also host Mount Tai press, a collaborative journal written by other Marxist-Leninists.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Who Are We?|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/about}}</ref>

ML Reading Hub also give out free books through their Book Fund efforts.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Book Fund|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/book-fund}}</ref>

ML Reading hub have also collaborated with Marxist-Leninist parties and other affiliated groups such as the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]],<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Uncle Soupha|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/uncle-soupha}}</ref> the [[Communist Party Marxist Kenya|Communist Party of Kenya]],<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Building of the Communist Party of Kenya|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/building-of-the-communist-party-of-kenya}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Young Communist League.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub|title=Paint the Town Red|url=https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/paint-the-town-red}}</ref>

American Party of Labor

2026-01-27T02:05:59Z

Mitzo: clarified that Victor Vaugn is an alias (a reference to MF DOOM)

{{Infobox political party|name=American Party of Labor|logo=APL flag.png|founded=December 6, 2008|caption=Flag|leader1_title=National Chair|leader1_name=Camilo Lazo|leader2_title=National Secretary|leader2_name=Victor Vaughn (alias)|foundation=December 6, 2008|newspaper=''[[The Red Phoenix]]''|youth_wing=[https://redyouthrising.org/ Red Youth Rising]|political_orientation=[[Marxism–Leninism]] [[Hoxhaism]] [[Anti-imperialism]] [[Anti-revisionism]] [[Anti-fascism]]|international=[[International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations (Unity & Struggle)|ICMLPO (US)]] {{small|(Full Member)}}|website=https://americanpartyoflabor.com/}}{{Communist parties}}
The '''American Party of Labor''' ('''APL''') is an [[Anti-revisionism|anti-revisionist]] [[communist party]] in the [[United States of America|United States]]. It opposes [[Titoism]], [[Trotskyism]], and [[Nikita Khrushchev|Khrushchev]]'s [[revisionism]].<ref name=":0">{{News citation|newspaper=American Party of Labor|title=Our History|url=https://www.americanpartyoflabor.com/our-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615044632/https://www.americanpartyoflabor.com/our-history|archive-date=2022-06-15|retrieved=2022-06-18}}</ref>

== Demands ==

=== Health care ===
The APL demands a national healthcare system and the nationalization of the pharmaceutical industry. It supports the legalization of [[marijuana]] but not hard drugs such as cocaine.<ref name=":1">{{News citation|newspaper=American Party of Labor|title=Our Platform|url=https://www.americanpartyoflabor.com/our-platform|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303134358/https://www.americanpartyoflabor.com/our-platform|archive-date=2022-03-03|retrieved=2022-06-18}}</ref>

=== Housing ===
The APL advocates for state-funded construction of apartments to provide housing as well as remodeling of old homes. It also demands an end to foreclosures.<ref name=":1" />

=== Military ===
The APL demands an end to [[Imperialism|imperialist]] wars and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] regime change operations and the withdrawal of U.S. military bases and personnel from all other countries. It also supports withdrawal of the United States from [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]].

=== Work ===
The APL supports a 30-hour work week and at least six weeks of paid vacation per year. It also supports a [[universal basic income]] for all adults, an end to the [[gender pay gap]], and at least a year of paid parental leave. The party advises limiting the income of the richest people in society to ten times that of the poorest people.<ref name=":1" />

== History ==
The American Party of Labor was founded in 2008 by associates of [[Jack Shulman]], who died in 1999. The party was reorganized at a party congress in 2016. In November 2018, the party was granted observer status at the [[International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations (Unity & Struggle)|ICMLPO]].<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
[[Category:Statesian communist parties]]
[[Category:Anti-revisionism]]

File:Mlreadinghub logo.png

2026-01-27T01:58:16Z

Mitzo:

the logo for Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub

Michael Parenti

2026-01-24T20:10:15Z

Mitzo: past tense :(

{{Infobox politician
|political_party=[[Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party|Liberty Union Party]] (1974)|website=https://www.michael-parenti.org|image=Michael Parenti.jpg
|name=Michael Parenti
|birth_date=30 September 1933
|birth_place=[[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], [[State of New York|New York]], [[United States of America|United States]]|death_date=24 January 2026 (aged 92)|nationality=[[Statesian]]
|political_orientation=[[Anti-imperialism]] [[Communism]] [[Statesian nationalism]]}}

'''Michael John Parenti''' (30 September, 1933 – 24 Janaury, 2026)<ref>''[https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/online-records/new-york-city-birth-index/617-19331/1 Births Reported in 1933—Borough of Manhattan. vol. 1.]'' New York City. [[New York City Department of Health]]. p. 241.</ref> was a Statesian political scientist, academic historian and cultural critic who wrote on scholarly and popular subjects. He taught at US and international universities and was a guest lecturer before campus and community audiences. Michael Parenti is the father of [[Christian Parenti]].

Parenti's writings covered a wide range of subjects: U.S. politics, culture, ideology, [[political economy]], [[imperialism]], [[fascism]], [[communism]], [[democratic socialism]], free-market orthodoxies, conservative judicial activism, religion, ancient history, modern history, historiography, repression in academia, news and entertainment media, technology, [[environmentalism]], [[sexism]], [[racism]], [[Venezuela]], the wars in [[Iraq War|Iraq]] and [[Yugoslav Wars|Yugoslavia]], ethnicity, and his own early life.<ref name="webarticles">{{Web citation|title=Articles and Other Published Selections|url=http://michaelparenti.org/articles.html|access-date=25 December 2007|publisher=Michael Parenti|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026092449/http://michaelparenti.org/articles.html |archive-date=26 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="contrary">{{Citation|title-url=https://archive.org/details/contrarynotionsm0000pare/page/403|author=Michael Parenti|title=Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader|year=2007|publisher=City Lights Books|isbn=978-0-87286-482-5|page=403}}</ref><ref name="webbooks">{{Web citation|title=Books by Michael Parenti|url=http://michaelparenti.org/books.html|access-date=25 December 2007|publisher=Michael Parenti}}</ref>

In 1974, Parenti ran in Vermont on the democratic socialist [[Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party|Liberty Union Party]] ticket for [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] and received 7.1% of the vote.<ref>{{Web citation|url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/search/date:1974-11-05/office_id:5|website=VT Elections Database|title=Elections Results Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|author=Bernie Sanders|url=https://archive.org/details/outsiderinhouse00bern|title=Outsider in the House|year=1997|chapter=You Have to Begin Somewhere}}</ref> This run was done with [[Bernie Sanders]] who at the time was friends with Parenti. This friendship ended when [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]] waged war on [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2006)|Yugoslavia]]. While Bernie stood with the [[Imperialism|imperialists]], Parenti stood with the anti-imperialists.<ref>{{Web citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLNQEHbusSA|website YouTube|title=Michael Parenti on Bernie Sanders}}</ref>

== Political views ==

=== Statesian nationalism ===
Parenti was a [[Statesian nationalism|Statesian patriot]].<ref>Parenti personally identifies as a patriot:<blockquote>Now, in contrast to the superpatriots—it begins to brighten here. I'm almost finished—[in] contrast to the superpatriots are the real patriots. '''We''' who, for instance, don't want to see the good name of our nation [the United States] sullied.</blockquote>[[AfroMarxist]] (2020-04-11).: [https://youtu.be/4vKfejeruhk "Michael Parenti: 'Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism' (1988)"]. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.</ref> While he is very critical of Statesian policy (both domestic and foreign) and he acknowledged that the United States has always been imperialist since its very inception,<ref><blockquote>'''The history of the United States has been one of territorial, commercial, and military expansion.''' [...] As our common reading of history would have it, [...] the United States apparently developed a mighty empire while never being sullied by imperialistic practices. If imperialism is admitted, it is most often described as a kind of momentary lapse occurring sometime between the Spanish-American War and Theodore Roosevelt's "big stick" policy. '''In reality, from the very beginning of its history, the nation suffered quite overtly from expansionist pangs.'''</blockquote>Michael Parenti (1969).: [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse|''The Anti-Communist Impulse'']]. [[Random House]]. [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse#CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World|CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World]]. p. 104.</ref> and while he criticised the patriotism of the ruling class, he nonetheless upheld the existence of the United States and advocates for Statesian patriotism.<ref name=":0">See [[Library:Superpatriotism#Real Patriotism|this chapter]] of his 2004 book ''[[Library:Superpatriotism|Superpatriotism]]'' in which he advocates for "real patriotism" in the United States, as opposed to the "Superpatriotism" of the ruling class.</ref>

Parenti condemned [[anti-Americanism]] and the desecration of Statesian [[National symbol|national symbols]], arguing that it alienates the Statesian people and allows US leaders to brand all opposition as "anti-American".<ref name=":1">Parenti, "Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism".</ref> He called it a "mistake" to blame the United States for what was being done in its name,<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism''. [[Library:Superpatriotism#America—Love It or Leave It|''America—Love It or Leave It'']]. p. 14.</ref> even when the country is intrinsically linked to those things. Furthermore, he attributed the hatred of the US by many people in the [[New Left]] to its supposed "[[Anarchism|anarchist]] tendencies", noting that anarchists likewise view the [[State apparatus|state]] as the problem rather than the class it serves.<ref name=":1" />

Parenti tried to distinguish between the [[Jingoism|jingoistic]], [[Chauvinism|chauvinistic]], [[Imperialism|imperialistic]] [[patriotism]] of the ruling class which he dubs "superpatriotism" and his brand of "real patriotism". According to him, the "superpatriots" don't actually love their country, [[History of the United States|its history]], [[Statesians|its people]], [[Statesian culture|its culture]], or any of its supposed virtues ([[freedom]], democracy, or economic opportunity). To them, "America is a simplified ideological abstraction, an emotive symbol represented by other abstract symbols like the flag."<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism.'' [[Library:Superpatriotism#What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?|What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?]] p. 9.</ref> "Real patriots" by contrast, he writes, "care enough about their country to want to improve it." "Real patriots" advocate for a different United States, a United States by and for the Statesian people.<ref name=":0" /> "Real patriots" find other things in their history to be proud of than the "superpatriots" and champion other figures.

This is why unlike many other Statesian patriots, Parenti does not glorify the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] or figures such as [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]. He argues that those rulers, who overwhelmingly came from wealthy, affluent, propertied backgrounds, actually opposed [[Democracy|popular rule]], and that many of their supposed "achievements" (such as the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]], the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]], the reduction of [[child labour]], and the [[New Deal]]) came in whole or in part as reluctant concessions from the [[ruling class]] in light of popular agitation.<ref>Michael Parenti (2011).: [[Library:Democracy for the Few|''Democracy for the Few'']]. 9th ed. [[Cengage Learning]]. pp. 5–16, 21, 25.</ref>

What Parenti failed to realise is that there is no other United States. [[Capitalism]], [[colonialism]], and imperialism are intrinsic to the United States, and trying to remedy these issues would mean the death of the state. Patriotism in the Statesian context is not a love of the people, the culture, or of democracy, but of the [[Settler colonialism|settler colonial]] project, i.e., the state.

== Library works by Michael Parenti ==
{{Message box/Incomplete}}

=== Articles ===

* ''[[Library:Kozy with the Klan|Kozy with the Klan]]'' (1992), an excerpt from his book [[Library:America Besieged|''America Besieged'']] (1998) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:Imperialism 101|Imperialism 101]]'', an excerpt from his book ''[[Library:Against Empire|Against Empire]]'' (1995) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:Free Speech—At a Price|Free Speech—At a Price]]'', an excerpt from his book ''[[Library:Dirty Truths|Dirty Truths]]'' (1996) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:Hidden Holocaust, USA|Hidden Holocaust, USA]]'', an excerpt from his book ''Dirty Truths'' (1996) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:The JFK Assassination: Defending the Gangster State|The JFK Assassination: Defending the Gangster State]]'' (1996, 2013), an excerpt from his book ''Dirty Truths'' (1996) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:Rational Fascism|Rational Fascism]]'', an excerpt from his book ''[[Library:Blackshirts and Reds|Blackshirts and Reds]]'' (1997) published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:The Rational Destruction of Yugoslavia|The Rational Destruction of Yugoslavia]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Library:Yugoslav Sojourn|Yugoslav Sojourn: Notes from the Other Side]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Library:The Super Rich Are Out Of Sight|The Super Rich Are Out Of Sight]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Library:The Media and their Atrocities|The Media and their Atrocities]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Library:Defying the Sanctions|Defying the Sanctions: A Flight to Iraq]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Library:Monopoly Media Manipulation|Monopoly Media Manipulation]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Library:Terrorism Meets Reactionism|Terrorism Meets Reactionism]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Library:Media Moments|Media Moments]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Library:To Kill Iraq|To Kill Iraq]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Library:The Demonization of Slobodan Milosevic|The Demonization of Slobodan Milosevic]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Library:Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth|Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth]]'' (2003, 2004, 2007)
* [[Library:Empires, Old and New|''Empires, Old and New'']] (2004)
* [[Library:Are Heterosexuals Worthy of Marriage?|''Are Heterosexuals Worthy of Marriage?'']] (2004)
* ''[[Library:Good Things Happening in Venezuela|Good Things Happening in Venezuela]]'' (2005)
* [[Library:In the Reactionary Era of “No Alternative”|''In the Reactionary Era of “No Alternative”'']] (2005)
* [[Library:How the Free Market Killed New Orleans|''How the Free Market Killed New Orleans'']] (2005)
* [[Library:Right-Wing Judicial Activism|''Right-Wing Judicial Activism'']] (2005)
* [[Library:Government by Giveaway|''Government by Giveaway'']] (2005)
* [[Library:Custom Against Women|''Custom Against Women'']], an excerpt from his book [[Library:The Culture Struggle|''The Culture Struggle'']] (2006) published on [[ZNetwork]] as a standalone article
* [[Library:The Hidden Politics of Deficit Spending|''The Hidden Politics of Deficit Spending'']] (2006)
* [[Library:Still Soft on (Corporate) Crime|''Still Soft on (Corporate) Crime'']] (2006)
* ''[[Library:The Stolen Presidential Elections|The Stolen Presidential Elections]]'' (2006, 2007)
* [[Library:Mystery: How Wealth Creates Poverty in the World|''Mystery: How Wealth Creates Poverty in the World'']] (2006)
* [[Library:The Cuban Five and US Terrorism|''The Cuban Five and US Terrorism'']] (2006)
* ''[[Library:Globalization and Democracy:Some Basics|Globalization and Democracy: Some Basics]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Library:Gender Savagery in Guatemala|Gender Savagery in Guatemala]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Library:Mother Teresa, John Paul II, and the Fast-Track Saints|Mother Teresa, John Paul II, and the Fast-Track Saints]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Library:Bad Boys, Nasty Boys: Out of the GOP's Closet|Bad Boys, Nasty Boys: Out of the GOP's Closet]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Library:Dubious Design|Dubious Design]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Library:Afghanistan, Another Untold Story|Afghanistan, Another Untold Story]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Library:Capitalism's Self-Inflicted Apocalypse|Capitalism's Self-Inflicted Apocalypse]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Library:North Korea: "Sanity" at the Brink|North Korea: "Sanity" at the Brink]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Library:The Honduras Coup: Is Obama Innocent?|The Honduras Coup: Is Obama Innocent?]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Library:Italian American Identity: To Be or Not To Be|Italian American Identity: To Be or Not To Be]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Library:What Do Empires Do?|What Do Empires Do?]]'' (2010)
* [[Library:Cuban Prisoners, Here and There|''Cuban Prisoners, Here and There'']] (2010)
* ''[[Library:Pedophiles and Popes: Doing the Vatican Shuffle|Pedophiles and Popes: Doing the Vatican Shuffle]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Library:Death and Profits: The Utility Protection Racket|Death and Profits: The Utility Protection Racket]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Library:Money Is Still the Name of the Game|Money Is Still the Name of the Game]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Library:The Mafia and Me|The Mafia and Me]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Library:Profit Pathology and Disposable Planet|Profit Pathology and Disposable Planet]]'' (2011)
* [[Library:Making the World Safe for Hypocrisy|''Making the World Safe for Hypocrisy'']] (2011)
* ''[[Library:Class Warfare Indeed|Class Warfare Indeed]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Library:Occupy America|Occupy America]]'' (2011)
* [[Library:Must We Adore Vaclav Havel?|''Must We Adore Vaclav Havel?'']] (2011), an excerpt from his book ''Blackshirts and Reds'' (1997) published on ZNetwork as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:Free Market Medicine: A Personal Account|Free Market Medicine: A Personal Account]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Library:Free Market Health Care: True Stories|Free Market Health Care: True Stories]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Library:Iran and Everything Else|Iran and Everything Else]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Library:The Nobel Peace Prize for War|The Nobel Peace Prize for War]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Library:A Terrible Normality|A Terrible Normality]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Library:Eating Horses In Paris|Eating Horses In Paris]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Library:Requiem for a Dominatrix|Requiem for a Dominatrix]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Library:I Have a Dream, a Blurred Vision|I Have a Dream, a Blurred Vision]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Library:Syria, Sarin, and Casus Belli|Syria, Sarin, and Casus Belli]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Library:85 Billionaires and the Better Half|85 Billionaires and the Better Half]] (2014)
* [[Library:What's a Slum?|''What's a Slum?'']] (2014), an excerpt from his book [[Library:Waiting for Yesterday|''Waiting for Yesterday'']] (2013) published on his website as a standalone article
* [[Library:Ukraine and Regime Change|''Ukraine and Regime Change'']], an excerpt from [[Library:Flashpoint in Ukraine|''Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III'']] (2014) by [[Stephen Lendman]], published on his website as a standalone article
* ''[[Library:1918: On When a War Ended (Though Others Would Follow)|1918: On When a War Ended (Though Others Would Follow)]]'' (2014)
* [[Library:A Long Time For Killing|''A Long Time For Killing'']] (2015)
* [[Library:The Lost Women|''The Lost Women'']] (2015)

=== Books ===

* [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse|''The Anti-Communist Impulse'']] (1969)
* [[Library:Trends and Tragedies in American Foreign Policy|''Trends and Tragedies in American Foreign Policy'']] (1971)
* [[Library:Democracy for the Few|''Democracy for the Few'']] (1974, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2011)
* ''[[Library:Ethnic and Political Attitudes: A Depth Study of Italian Americans|Ethnic and Political Attitudes: A Depth Study of Italian Americans]]'' (1975)
* [[Library:Power and the Powerless|''Power and the Powerless'']] (1978)
* [[Library:Inventing Reality|''Inventing Reality: The Politics of News Media'']] (1986, 1993)
* [[Library:The Sword and the Dollar|''The Sword and the Dollar: Imperialism, Revolution, and the Arms Race'']] (1989)
* [[Library:Make-Believe Media|''Make-Believe Media: The Politics of Entertainment'']] (1992)
* [[Library:Land of Idols|''Land of Idols: Political Mythology in America'']] (1994)
* [[Library:Against Empire|''Against Empire'']] (1995)
* [[Library:Dirty Truths|''Dirty Truths'']] (1996)
* [[Library:Blackshirts and Reds|''Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism'']] (1997)
* [[Library:America Besieged|''America Besieged'']] (1998)
* [[Library:History as Mystery|''History as Mystery'']] (1999)
* [[Library:To Kill a Nation|''To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia'']] (2001)
* [[Library:The Terrorism Trap|''The Terrorism Trap: September 11 and Beyond'']] (2002)
* [[Library:The Assassination of Julius Caesar|''The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome'']] (2003)
* [[Library:Superpatriotism|''Superpatriotism'']] (2004)
* [[Library:The Culture Struggle|''The Culture Struggle'']] (2006)
* [[Library:Contrary Notions|''Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader'']] (2007)
* [[Library:God and His Demons|''God and His Demons'']] (2010)
* [[Library:The Face of Imperialism|''The Face of Imperialism'']] (2011)
* [[Library:Waiting for Yesterday|''Waiting for Yesterday: Pages from a Street Kid's Life'']] (2013)
* [[Library:Profit Pathology and Other Indecencies|''Profit Pathology and Other Indecencies'']] (2015)

=== Interviews ===

* [[Library:Exposing the Terrorism Trap|''Exposing the Terrorism Trap'']] (2002)
* [[Library:Interviewing Michael Parenti about The Culture Struggle|''Interviewing Michael Parenti about The Culture Struggle'']] (2006)
* [[Library:The Shape of Things to Come in Libya|''The Shape of Things to Come in Libya: Interview with Michael Parenti'']] (2011)
* ''[[Library:Reflections on Politics and Academia|Reflections on Politics and Academia: An Interview with Michael Parenti]]'' (2012)
* [[Library:The Corporate University: An E-interview with Dave Hill, Alpesh Maisuria, Anthony Nocella, and Michael Parenti|''The Corporate University: An E-interview with Dave Hill, Alpesh Maisuria, Anthony Nocella, and Michael Parenti'']] (2015)

=== Journal articles ===

* [[Library:Review of A New Survey of the Social Sciences|''Review of A New Survey of the Social Sciences'']] (1964)
* ''[[Library:Political Values and Religious Cultures|Political Values and Religious Cultures: Jews, Catholics, and Protestants]]'' (1967)
* [[Library:Ethnic Politics and the Persistence of Ethnic Identification|''Ethnic Politics and the Persistence of Ethnic Identification'']] (1967)
* [[Library:Review of Maximum Feasible Misunderstanding|''Review of Maximum Feasible Misunderstanding'']] (1970)
* [[Library:The Possibilities for Political Change|''The Possibilities for Political Change'']] (1970)
* [[Library:Power and Pluralism|''Power and Pluralism'']] (1970)
* [[Library:Repression in Academia|''Repression in Academia: A Report from the Field'']] (1971)
* ''[[Library:Review of The New Socialist Revolution|Review of The New Socialist Revolution]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Library:Reviewing the Reviewers|Reviewing the Reviewers: Ideological Bias in the APSR Book Section]]'' (1974)
* [[Library:The Blessings of Private Enterprise|''The Blessings of Private Enterprise'']] (1974, 1996)
* ''[[Library:A Third Party Emerges in Vermont|A Third Party Emerges in Vermont]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Library:Rocco's Life|Rocco's Life: A Documentary, Circa 1940]]'' (1981)
* [[Library:The Untold Story of the Greensboro Massacre|''The Untold Story of the Greensboro Massacre'']] (1981)
* [[Library:The State of the Discipline|''The State of the Discipline: One Interpretation of Everyone's Favorite Controversy'']] (1983)
* ''[[Library:Socialism, Capitalism, and Militarism|Socialism, Capitalism, and Militarism: A Reply to Dye and Zeigler]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Library:Rejoinder to Dye and Zeigler|Rejoinder to Dye and Zeigler]]'' (1990)
* [[Library:Serving the Few|''Serving the Few'']] (1995)
* [[Library:The Increasing Relevance of Marxism|''The Increasing Relevance of Marxism'']] (1998)
* [[Library:Reflections on the Politics of Culture|''Reflections on the Politics of Culture'']] (1999)
* [[Library:Another View of Chomsky|''Another View of Chomsky'']] (1999)
* [[Library:Patricians, Professionals, and Political Science|''Patricians, Professionals, and Political Science'']] (2006)

=== Letters ===

* [[Library:Letter from Parenti and Meranto to the Editor of The Daily Illini|''Witnesses'']] (1970)
* ''[[Library:Newfound 'Brutality' in Iran|Newfound 'Brutality' in Iran]]'' (1979)
* [[Library:What If Communists Had Links to Dr. King?|''What If Communists Had Links to Dr. King?'']] (1983)
* [[Library:Presidential Slander Of a U.S. Multitude|''Presidential Slander Of a U.S. Multitude'']] (1984)
* [[Library:What Reagan Means by Judicial Responsibility|''What Reagan Means by Judicial Responsibility'']] (1985)
* ''[[Library:Politics of the Press|Politics of the Press]]'' (1986)
* [[Library:In Spirit of Glasnost, a Half-Toast to Perestroika|''In Spirit of Glasnost, a Half-Toast to Perestroika'']] (1989)
* ''[[Library:Limitation on Incumbency|Limitation on Incumbency]]'' (1991)
* [[Library:Morte d'Arthur (Parenti letter)|''Morte d'Arthur'']] (1992)

=== Magazine articles ===

* ''[[Library:The Bogey of Revolution|The Bogey of Revolution]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Library:The High Cost of Empire|The High Cost of Empire]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Library:Is Nicaragua More Democratic Than the United States?|Is Nicaragua More Democratic Than the United States?]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Library:Bush's Splendid Little War|Bush's Splendid Little War]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Library:Global Rollback After Communism|Global Rollback After Communism]]'' (2002)

=== Newspaper articles ===

* [[Library:Is It Really Freedom of Speech?|''Is It Really Freedom of Speech? Millions of Americans Cannot Be Heard'']] (1975)
* [[Library:A 'Double Standard' in Reporting News From Portugal|''A 'Double Standard' in Reporting News From Portugal'']] (1976)
* [[Library:The Lies of William Colby|''The Lies of William Colby'']] (1976)
* [[Library:Housing Disinterest Has Damaging Impact on Life|''Housing Disinterest Has Damaging Impact on Life'']] (1978)
* [[Library:Winging It In Politics|''Winging It In Politics'']] (1980)
* [[Library:Foreign-Policy Immorality Has No Excuse|''Foreign-Policy Immorality Has No Excuse'']] (1984)
* ''[[Library:In "Defence" of "Star Wars"|In "Defence" of "Star Wars"]]'' (1986)
* [[Library:Image is Everything|''Image is Everything'']] (1991)
* ''[[Library:Athletic jingoism|Athletic jingoism]]'' (1999)

=== Speeches ===

* [[Library:US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR|''US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR'']] (1986)

=== Misc ===

* [[Library:Propaganda, Inc.#Introduction|''Introduction'']] in [[Library:Propaganda, Inc.|''Propaganda, Inc.: Selling America's Culture to the World'']] (1998) by [[Nancy Snow]]
* ''[[Library:Class and Virtue|Class and Virtue]]'' in ''[[Library:Signs of Life in the USA|Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Culture for Writers]]'' (1999) by [[Sonia Maasik]] and [[James F. Solomon|Jack Solomon]]
* ''[[Library:The Logic of U.S. Intervention|The Logic of U.S. Interventionism]]'' in ''[[Library:Masters of War: Militarism and Blowback in the Era of American Empire|Masters of War: Militarism and Blowback in the Era of American Empire]]'' (2003) by [[Carl Boggs]]
* [[Library:American Foreign Policy: A Tragic "Success"|''American Foreign Policy: A Tragic "Success"'']] in [[Patriotism, Democracy and Common Sense|''Patriotism, Democracy and Common Sense: Restoring America's Promise At Home and Abroad'']] (2004) by [[Alan Curtis (author)|Alan Curtis]]
* ''[[Library:Reel Power#Foreword|Foreword]]'' in ''[[Library:Reel Power|Reel Power: Hollywood Cinema and American Supremacy]]'' (2010) by [[Matthew Alford]]

== Recordings ==

* 1986: [https://youtu.be/7mW4ic0Iu2M ''Monopoly Culture and Academic Freedom''] at the University of Vermont, 9 April 1986
* 1986: [https://youtu.be/xP8CzlFhc14 ''US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR''] at the University of Colorado Boulder, 15 April 1986
* 1986: [https://youtu.be/VKg1Jj3AjfM ''Michael Parenti at Loyola University''] at Loyola University New Orleans, 23 April 1986
* 1986: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUWrgLpazwE ''Anti-Sovietism in the Media''] at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, 20 November 1986
* 1987: [https://youtu.be/QIFMB2NW3WY ''The Political Uses of Religion''] in Denver, Colorado, 18 April 1987
* 1988: [https://youtu.be/4vKfejeruhk ''Superpatriotism and the Importance of Being Number One''] in Boulder, Colorado, 1 August 1988
* 1989: [https://youtu.be/4YZK7JCWtYI ''The Sword and the Dollar''] in Thunder Bay, Ontario, 27 October 1989
* 1990: [https://youtu.be/MfDnQPtijjc ''Human Nature and Politics''] in Los Angeles, California, May 1990
* 1991: [https://youtu.be/5Bz1s3CM9zs ''Corporatism and the U.S. Political Scene''], 1991
* 1993: [https://youtu.be/nKwypf9qPto ''Conspiracy and State Power''] at the University of Vermont, 21 April 1993
* 1993: [https://youtu.be/9g3kRHo_vpQ ''Inventing Reality''], 17 October 1993
* 1997: [https://youtu.be/d9Zkw2oUWlY ''The Hidden Ideology of the News Media''] at the University of Vermont, Burlington, 9 April 1997
* 1999: ''[https://vimeo.com/753160661 The U.S. Empire and the War against Yugoslavia]'' at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Berkeley, 1999
* 1999: [https://vimeo.com/758356846 ''Berkeley Mother's Day for Peace 1999''] at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park, Berkeley, 9 May 1999
* 1999: ''[https://youtu.be/GEzOgpMWnVs The U.S. War on Yugoslavia]'' in Seattle, Washington, 16 May 1999
* 2002: [https://youtu.be/V_PNyYPR46E ''The Corporate War Against Democracy''] at Portland State University, 14 September 2002
* 2002: [https://youtu.be/_aJArigViMU ''Terrorism, Globalism, and Conspiracy''] at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, Vancouver, 9 October 2002
* 2003: [https://youtu.be/ikZ4ChX1WAo ''The Assassination of Julius Caesar''] in Venice, Colorado, 29 June 2003
* 2004: ''[https://youtu.be/FZqwlNpXelg Creating a Sustainable Economy]'' at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach, California, 24 June 2004
* 2005: [https://youtu.be/wpAOZkH09C8 ''Michael Parenti on Penn & Teller: Bullshit! (2005)''], 23 May 2005
* 2005: [https://youtu.be/MufGs0MQrPg ''Iraq and the Future of US Foreign Policy''] at Wesleyan University, Connecticut, 18 April 2005
* 2005: ''[https://youtu.be/OOF56wYTl1w The Darker Myths of Empire: Heart of Darkness Series]'' at the College of DuPage, 16 November 2005
* 2007: [https://youtu.be/8a2lisF4XGg ''Lies, Wars, & Empire''] at Binghamton University, 9 October 2007
* 2010: [https://youtu.be/GEzOgpMWnVs ''Deep Ideology: How Reactionary Agendas Shape Political Awareness''] at the University Inn & Conference Center, Santa Cruz, 14–16 May 2010
* 2011: [https://youtu.be/QTWbnHsE2ow ''The Face of Imperialism and The 99% Solution''] at the University of Guelph, 2 November 2011
* 2012: [https://youtu.be/wheMfMqu-H4 ''Democracy and the Pathology of Wealth''] at the La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, 6 January 2012
* 2013: [https://youtu.be/bHUDfF2ztEg ''Michael Parenti on the Threat of US Imperialism''] in Vancouver, British Columbia, November 2013
* 2015: [https://youtu.be/fcImfx8tunI ''Capitalism vs. Reality''] in Springfield, Illinois, 6 October 2015

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Statesian communists]]
[[Category:Statesian Marxists]]
[[Category:Statesians of Italian descent]]
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:2026 deaths]]

Leon Sedov Bridgade

2026-01-24T02:49:33Z

Mitzo: fixed formatting

{{Infobox political party|name=Leon Sedov Brigade|native_name=Brigada León Sedov لواء ليون سيدوف|logo=Leon Sedov Brigade logo.png|founded=2012|membership=~200|political_orientation=[[Trotskyism]]}}

The '''Leon Sedov Brigade''' is an active armed Trotskyist group involved in the Syrian civil war. It was founded in Libya in 2012 by a group of ten to twelve Argentines fighting against the government of Muammar Ghaddafi. After the fall of the Libyan government and beginning of the Syrian Civil War, the group's members entered Syria via Turkey and began fighting the Syrian government alongside armed Syrian opposition groups. The group's members worked in factories and on construction sites in Aleppo to build local ties and raise funds, as well as recruit local fighters to build a worker's army.

== History ==
In 2013, the group came into conflict with the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement after the group's leader claimed the Zenki movement was sheltering a Shabiha commander in rebel-held areas and that he was stealing property from the locals. The group proceeded to arrest the commander when he was unprotected. The arrest caused brigades linked to the Zenki movement to arrive and demand he be released. The Sedov brigade refused to release him resulting in a minor clash. The Zenki movement later requested support from Jabhat al-Nusra to mediate between the Sedov Brigade and Zenki Movement. Al-Nusra reportedly asked the brigade to release him. The brigade again refused, causing al-Nusra to respond by sending a group of Central Asian fighters to attack the group, soon after the Sedov Brigade released him.

The group's leader Abu Muad was captured by ISIL in 2013 and was held for several days in a school. He claims ISIL attempted to blackmail him and took his possessions. Protestors later demanded that ISIL release him and a local helped him escape. He says after escaping from ISIL's custody they apologized for holding him, returned his possessions and offered him food for Ramadan.

The group fought alongside an assortment of other rebel groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Sham Legion and attempted to form a unified force against the Syrian government. It joined the Levant Front in the summer of 2015, but left after a month. In spite of political differences between larger opposition groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, the brigade continued to work with them on the ground in Aleppo and surrounding areas against the Syrian Government and YPG.

In an interview the group's leader and founder Abu Muad when asked about his stance on the newly formed coalition of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, he claimed he supports it as long as they continue to fight the Syrian government.
[[Category:Trotskyist organisations]]

Cosmopolitanism

2026-01-23T23:46:37Z

Mitzo: created a page on cosmopolitanism, also mentioned the soviet campaign and the truth behind the charges of anti-semitism (thanks bill bland)

'''Cosmopolitanism''' is an [[Idealism|idealist]] distortion of [[proletarian internationalism]] that ignores the dialectical relationship between nationalism and internationalism and advocates for a worldwide national culture.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Merriam-Webster Dictionary|title=Cosmopolitanism|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmopolitanism}}</ref> Cosmopolitanism, while not inherently counter-revolutionary, can be used for counter-revolutionary purposes and therefore is a danger to proletarian organization.

== Soviet "Anti-Cosmopolitan Campaign" ==
From 1947 to 1952 the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] led a campaign against cosmopolitanism, and promoted proletarian internationalism instead. Anti-communist historians have distorted this into a campaign of anti-semitism to serve as [[United States imperialism|Statesian]] or [[Zionism|Zionist]] imperial propaganda, although historical records prove that those most criticized by the campaign were not jewish, and plenty of jewish people took an active part in the campaign.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Bill Bland|newspaper=COMpass|title=The Soviet Campaign Against Cosmopolitanism: 1947-1952|date=1998-11|url=https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/periodicals/britain/compass/11-1998.pdf}}</ref>

Michel Foucault

2026-01-07T03:57:54Z

Mitzo: added how Foucault had a soft spot for mao zedong thought which I found interesting

{{Infobox philosopher|name=Michel Foucault|image_size=200|birth_date=15 October 1926|birth_place=Poitiers, [[French Republic (1870–1940)|France]]|death_date=25 June 1984|death_place=Paris, [[France]]|nationality=French|image=Michel Foucault.png|school_tradition=[[Postmodernism]] [[Post-structuralism]]}}

'''Paul-Michel Foucault''' (15 October 1926 – 25 June 1984) was an [[Idealism|idealist]] French philosopher who took inspiration from [[Friedrich Nietzsche|Nietzsche]]. The [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] said that he caused the "critical demolition of [[Marxism|Marxist]] influence in the social sciences." He believed history happened randomly, rejecting Marxism and [[historical materialism]].

Foucault criticized all forms of power, regardless of who wielded it, and equated knowledge with power. According to Foucault, power observes, judges, and disciplines. He believed that truth is socially constructed and not objective and opposed [[Rationalism|rationality]].<ref name=":2">{{Web citation|author=J. Sykes|newspaper=[[Fight Back! News]]|title=On the origins and development of postmodernism|date=2023-09-15|url=https://www.fightbacknews.org/2023/9/15/origins-and-development-postmodernism|retrieved=2023-09-16}}</ref>

Despite not being a Marxist, Foucault had a fondness for [[Mao Zedong Thought]] and, in fact, sat down and had a debate with a group of Maoist militants in 1972.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Geoff Shullenberger|newspaper=The Point|title=Popular Justice|date=2025-08-11|url=https://thepointmag.com/politics/popular-justice/}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Philosophers]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foucault, Michel}}
[[Category:Postmodernists]]

Nicolás Maduro

2026-01-06T00:10:27Z

Mitzo: fixed grammar

{{Infobox politician|image_size=200|birth_date={{birth date and age|1962|11|23|df=y}}|birth_place=Caracas, [[Republic of Venezuela (1953–1999)|Venezuela]]|nationality=Venezuelan|political_orientation=[[Marxism–Leninism]] (claimed) <ref name=":lenin">https://x.com/molotovnewss/status/1774958700307918931?s=46</ref> [[Chavismo]] [[Anti-imperialism]] [[Democratic socialism]] [[Bolivarianism]]|political_party=[[United Socialist Party of Venezuela|PSUV]]|image=Nicolas Maduro.png}}

'''Nicolás Maduro Moros''' is a [[Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|Venezuelan]] politician who has served as [[president of Venezuela]] since 2013. He has also served as president of the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV) since 2013, taking up both presidencies upon the death of President [[Hugo Chávez]]. Previously, he served as vice president under Chávez from 2012 to 2013 and was also the minister of foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012.

Because of [[United States imperialism|U.S. imperialism]] against Venezuela,<ref>[[John Bolton]] (2020). [https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=QjTMDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&hl=ko&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir'': 'Chapter 9: Venezuela Libre'.] Simon and Schuster.</ref><ref>[[Benjamin Norton|Norton, Ben]]. [https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ “Trump Advisor John Bolton Admits Planning US Coups in Venezuela and beyond.”] [[Multipolarista]]. July 13, 2022. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220731205139/https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ Archived] 2022-07-31.</ref> Maduro's presidency has faced various forms of aggression and interference, such as assassination attempts,<ref>Joe Parkin Daniels (2018-08-05). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro survives apparent assassination attempt"] ''[[The Guardian]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220715064109/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter Archived] from the original on 2022-07-15.</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> and destabilization efforts organized by US-backed coup leader [[Juan Guaidó]], who, after a phone call with U.S. Vice President [[Mike Pence]], proclaimed himself president of Venezuela.<ref>Dan Cohen, [[Max Blumenthal]] (2019-01-29). [https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true "The Making of Juan Guaidó: How the US regime change laboratory created Venezuela’s coup leader"] ''[[The Grayzone]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220322210646/https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true Archived] from the original on 2022-03-22.</ref>

On August 7, 2025, the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] announced a reward offer increase of up to $50 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest and stated the US does not recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Marco Rubio|newspaper=United States Department of State|title=Reward Offer Increase of Up to $50 Million for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of Nicolás Maduro|date=2025-08-07|url=https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901033015/https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> Previously, the State Department had announced a reward of up to $15 million in 2020.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ “Nicolás Maduro Moros - New Target.”] United States Department of State. March 26, 2020. [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103061620/https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ Archived] 2022-11-03.</ref> Later, on January 3rd, 2026, Maduro was illegally kidnapped by Statesian forces on false charges and forced to stand trial.<ref name=":5" />

== Early life ==
Nicolás Maduro Moros was born in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, on November 23, 1962.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Ministerio del Poder Popular del Depacho De La Precidencia|title=Président de la République bolivarienne du Venezuela|url=https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906072729/https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-date=2025-09-06}}</ref> Opposition figures have repeatedly tried to claim that Maduro was actually born in [[Republic of Colombia|Colombia]] or had Colombian dual citizenship due to his Colombian mother, in an attempt to invalidate him from the Presidency. These claims have been rejected by the governments of both Venezeula and Colombia as false.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Lucas Koerner|newspaper=[[Venezuelaanalysis]]|title=Venezuelan Supreme Court: Maduro is not Colombian|date=2016-11-01|url=https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916173341/https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-date=2025-09-16}}</ref>

He was born into a left-wing family who influenced him towards [[Progressivism|progressive]] politics from a young age, taking him to political rallies as early as 1967. His father, Nicolás Maduro García, was a prominent trade union leader and member of [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]] (AD). Maduro soon moved beyond his parents and from a young age was defending the [[Cuban Revolution]] and joining radical left organizations such as the [[Socialist League (Venezuela)|Socialist League]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Luis Hernández Navarro|newspaper=La Jornada|title=Nicolás Maduro, le chauffeur|date=2013-03-19|url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250715022521/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

== Presidency (2013-present) ==

=== Elections ===
Maduro was initially elected on April 14, 2013. This occurred following Chávez's death in March of that year.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=Mario Hubert Garrido|newspaper=Granma|title=The Maduro government’s first two years|date=2015-04-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2015-04-22/the-maduro-governments-first-two-years|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro won with 50.66% of the votes cast. His main opposition was Henrique Capriles. Capriles was part of the Primero Justicia party. After losing, he attempted to encourage riots in 2013, which caused the fatalities of 11 people.<ref name=":0" />

The following year, Leopoldo López and his party of Voluntad Popular held 'La Salida' which were attacks which killed 43 people. These attacks also injured over 800 people.<ref name=":0" />

In early 2015, the Venezuelan government uncovered plans for a [[coup d'état]]. These plans had included attacking civilian regions in Caracas, as well as governmental institutions. These plans had been backed by the [[United States of America]] via its embassy in Venezuela. A number of politicians within the country had also loaned it their support.<ref name=":0" /> This coup plan came to be known as the Blue Coup. Antonio Ledezma and Julio Borges were also found to be key operatives in this plan.<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Misión Verdad|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro shows his strength, looks death in the face|date=2018-08-10|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-10/maduro-shows-his-strength-looks-death-in-the-face|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Leading to the second election, some of the conservative parties threatened to not participate in the election. Maduro made it clear that the election would still be held regardless of this threat.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro: There will be elections come rain or shine|date=2018-02-16|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-02-16/maduro-there-will-be-elections-come-rain-or-shine|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In the following election, Maduro won a second time. 45.99% of the population voted, with 67.78%, or 6,157,185 votes, in favor of reelection. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcon, received 21.01% of the vote.<ref name=":2">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=World leaders congratulate Nicolás Maduro for his reelection|date=2018-05-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-22/world-leaders-congratulate-nicolas-maduro-for-his-reelection|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref> Falcon had gone against the election boycott of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) and had run in the election regardless of it.<ref name=":4">{{Web citation|author=Dayron Rodríguez Rosales|newspaper=Granma|title=How can the resistance of the Venezuelan people and Nicolás Maduro’s government be explained?|date=2018-10-28|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-28/how-can-the-resistance-of-the-venezuelan-people-and-nicolas-maduros-government-be-explained|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After the victory over Falcon, Maduro was accused of 'violating democracy' by the Venezuelan National Assembly on October 23, 2016. This was led by opposition leader Julio Borges. They also stated that Maduro was ineligible to hold the position due to having Colombian ancestors. The National Assembly was considered to hold no authority due to a ruling by the Supreme Court. Maduro accused the opposition of fraud and of having submitted falsified signatures during the signature drive. The opposition to Maduro in the National Assembly arranged protests called 'The takeover of Venezuela'.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Venezuela's right wing wants to impeach President Maduro|date=2016-10-24|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-10-24/venezuelas-right-wing-wants-to-impeach-president-maduro|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

Regardless of the actions of these opposition parties, Maduro has repeatedly encouraged dialogue and communication with the opposition groups.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro invites opposition to meet with government|date=2017-12-04|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2017-12-04/maduro-invites-opposition-to-meet-with-government|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

According to an Insight poll of 2600 Venezuelans, Maduro is the preferred candidate of 52.4% of those polled in the July 28, 2024 elections. This is followed by 37% for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia. 16.08% of respondents are undecided or do not know who they will vote for yet. The remainder of respondents were split among other candidates.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Nicolas Maduro Is the Favorite Candidate According to Insight Magazine|date=2024-04-29|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Nicolas-Maduro-Is-Favorite-Candidate-According-Insight-Magazine--20240429-0021.html|retrieved=2024-04-30}}</ref>

=== Assassination attempts ===
During an event in Caracas on Bolivar Avenue on August 4, 2018, two drones attempted to assassinate Maduro. This attack occurred while he was finishing giving a speech.<ref name=":1" />

This attack was carried out by Soldados de Franelas. Soldados de Franelas had links to Óscar Pérez and CICPC, who had killed civilians in attacks in 2017. Governmental investigations also found connections to the attack with outgoing Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos and agents within [[Florida]].<ref name=":1" />

Following the attack, a suspect named Juan Carlos Monasterios was arrested and revealed details of the plot. It was learned from Monasterios that Juan Requesens was involved. Requesens was arrested afterward. He also revealed that Rayder Alexander Russo Márquez and Osmán Alexis Delgado Tabosky were both involved in the attack. Neither were immediately caught. Everyone arrested has explained the involvement of Julio Borges.<ref name=":3">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Nicolás Maduro: Here is the evidence on the failed assassination attempt|date=2018-08-09|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-09/nicolas-maduro-here-is-the-evidence-on-the-failed-assassination-attempt|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

It was learned that a group calling itself, Bravo, had planned attacks on other events which were called off due to a lack of preparation.<ref name=":3" />

=== Achievements ===
Social programs created by Chávez have been supported and continued by Maduro.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=President Maduro praises social programs in Venezuela|date=2016-09-08|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-09-08/president-maduro-praises-social-programs-in-venezuela|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

In order to help promote what is beneficial to the people, Presidential Councils of People's Government have been created. These councils deal with a specific issue in the country and may aid in setting policy related to said issue.<ref name=":0" />

The Maduro government had taken significant steps to combat [[poverty]] in the country. As of 2015, 64% of the national budget is dedicated to this. This opposition to poverty have led to the creation of new governmental missions, such as, Jóvenes de la Patria and Hogares de la Patria.<ref name=":0" />

==== Food ====
The country also has excellent policies in relation to nutrition, according to Marcelo Resende, who is a representative at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.<ref name=":0" />

The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) have provided 60,000 tons of food and necessities to the poor in Venezuela.<ref name=":4" />

In the past, Venezuelan's required food was satisfied by importing 85%. It now produces 94% of all required food goods in the country.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title='We Consolidated Peace in Venezuela in 2022', President Maduro|date=2023-01-02|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/We-Consolidated-Peace-in-Venezuela-in-2022-President-Maduro-20230102-0001.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Housing ====
Maduro has continued the legacy of Chávez's Great Venezuela Housing Mission (GMVV). By 2017, 1.6 million houses had been built.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Celebrates 1.6 Millionth Home Built for the Poor|date=2017-04-30|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Celebrates-1.6-Millionth-Home-Built-for-the-Poor---20170430-0018.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref> This number had swelled to 4.6 million built by 2023.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Venezuela: President Maduro Delivers House Number 4.6 Million|date=2023-07-21|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-President-Maduro-Delivers-House-Number-4.6-Million-20230721-0011.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Medicine ====
During the Maduro administration, many steps have been taken to further the medical quality of the population. 71,900,000 free medical examinations have been provided. Venezuela has also worked with [[Cuba]] on [[Operation Miracle]] and has allowed sight back to 70,000 people.<ref name=":4" />

== Kidnapping ==
On the 3rd of January 2026, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were kidnapped by [[United States of America|Statesian]] imperialists on false charges of "narco-terrorism" and other drug charges as a front for the true intentions of imperialist plunder of Venezuelan oil.<ref name=":5">{{Web citation|newspaper=Al Jazeera|title=Video shows Venezuela’s President Maduro in US custody|date=2026-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgaYe4ZYYyY}}</ref> Two days later on January 5th both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and other weapons.<ref>This is despite the fact that Maduro is the leader of the country and therefore it is legal for him to own such weapons.</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Jan Wolfe|newspaper=Reuters|title=What are the charges against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro?|date=2026-01-05|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/what-are-charges-against-venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-2026-01-05/}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

=== International relations ===
The United States of America has attempted to meddle in Venezuelan affairs with other countries, including relations with European nations.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Urges Lifting Sanctions Against Venezuela|date=2023-07-19|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Urges-Lifting-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-20230719-0009.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After Maduro's reelection in 2018, he received wide congratulation from many different nations, including [[Plurinational State of Bolivia|Bolivia]], Cuba, [[El Salvador]], Iran, [[Republic of Mozambique|Mozambique]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Russia]]<ref name=":2" />, and the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=WPK Central Committee's Congratulatory Message to Venezuelan Party Leader|date=2022-4-30|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wNC0zMC1OMDA1QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBANA==|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In 2022, Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Benjamin Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Venezuela and Iran sign 20-year cooperation plan, Maduro pledges joint ‘anti-imperialist struggle’|date=2022-06-11|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718213509/https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-date=2022-07-18|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref> Later that year, he signed a declaration with [[Republic of Colombia|Colombian]] president [[Gustavo Petro]] striving for Latin American reintegration.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Ben Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Colombia’s new president reverses US coup, visits Venezuela, pledges unity in ‘spirit of Bolívar’|date=2022-11-02|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125060316/https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-date=2022-11-25|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref>

Nicolás Maduro has affirmed Venezuelan support for the DPRK against imperialism multiple times.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Venezuelan President|date=2022-9-11|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wOS0xMS1OMDEzQDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMw====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Message from Venezuelan President|date=2022-12-27|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0xMi0yNy1IMDA2QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMg====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro has claimed to be a Marxist-Leninist.<ref name=":lenin"></ref>

=== LGBT+ rights ===
In 2017 and 2020, Maduro stated his support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and made a request for Venezuela's National Assembly to discuss the topic.<ref>http://shangay.com/maduro-creo-que-todo-el-mundo-se-puede-casar-aunque-sea-homosexual</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-lgbt/venezuelas-maduro-citing-pope-asks-congress-to-consider-same-sex-marriage-idUSKBN27737E/</ref>

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Current heads of state]]
[[Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Politicians in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Presidents of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Targets of imperialism]]
[[Category:United Socialist Party of Venezuela politicians]]
[[Category:Venezuelans of Colombian descent]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of Venezuela]]

Nicolás Maduro

2026-01-06T00:05:58Z

Mitzo:

{{Infobox politician|image_size=200|birth_date={{birth date and age|1962|11|23|df=y}}|birth_place=Caracas, [[Republic of Venezuela (1953–1999)|Venezuela]]|nationality=Venezuelan|political_orientation=[[Marxism–Leninism]] (claimed) <ref name=":lenin">https://x.com/molotovnewss/status/1774958700307918931?s=46</ref> [[Chavismo]] [[Anti-imperialism]] [[Democratic socialism]] [[Bolivarianism]]|political_party=[[United Socialist Party of Venezuela|PSUV]]|image=Nicolas Maduro.png}}

'''Nicolás Maduro Moros''' is a [[Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|Venezuelan]] politician who has served as [[president of Venezuela]] since 2013. He has also served as president of the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV) since 2013, taking up both presidencies upon the death of President [[Hugo Chávez]]. Previously, he served as vice president under Chávez from 2012 to 2013 and was also the minister of foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012.

Because of [[United States imperialism|U.S. imperialism]] against Venezuela,<ref>[[John Bolton]] (2020). [https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=QjTMDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&hl=ko&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir'': 'Chapter 9: Venezuela Libre'.] Simon and Schuster.</ref><ref>[[Benjamin Norton|Norton, Ben]]. [https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ “Trump Advisor John Bolton Admits Planning US Coups in Venezuela and beyond.”] [[Multipolarista]]. July 13, 2022. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220731205139/https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ Archived] 2022-07-31.</ref> Maduro's presidency has faced various forms of aggression and interference, such as assassination attempts,<ref>Joe Parkin Daniels (2018-08-05). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro survives apparent assassination attempt"] ''[[The Guardian]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220715064109/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter Archived] from the original on 2022-07-15.</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> and destabilization efforts organized by US-backed coup leader [[Juan Guaidó]], who, after a phone call with U.S. Vice President [[Mike Pence]], proclaimed himself president of Venezuela.<ref>Dan Cohen, [[Max Blumenthal]] (2019-01-29). [https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true "The Making of Juan Guaidó: How the US regime change laboratory created Venezuela’s coup leader"] ''[[The Grayzone]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220322210646/https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true Archived] from the original on 2022-03-22.</ref>

On August 7, 2025, the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] announced a reward offer increase of up to $50 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest and stated the US does not recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Marco Rubio|newspaper=United States Department of State|title=Reward Offer Increase of Up to $50 Million for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of Nicolás Maduro|date=2025-08-07|url=https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901033015/https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> Previously, the State Department had announced a reward of up to $15 million in 2020.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ “Nicolás Maduro Moros - New Target.”] United States Department of State. March 26, 2020. [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103061620/https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ Archived] 2022-11-03.</ref> Later, on January 3rd, 2026, Maduro was illegally kidnapped by Statesian forces on false charges and forced to stand trial.<ref name=":5" />

== Early life ==
Nicolás Maduro Moros was born in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, on November 23, 1962.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Ministerio del Poder Popular del Depacho De La Precidencia|title=Président de la République bolivarienne du Venezuela|url=https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906072729/https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-date=2025-09-06}}</ref> Opposition figures have repeatedly tried to claim that Maduro was actually born in [[Republic of Colombia|Colombia]] or had Colombian dual citizenship due to his Colombian mother, in an attempt to invalidate him from the Presidency. These claims have been rejected by the governments of both Venezeula and Colombia as false.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Lucas Koerner|newspaper=[[Venezuelaanalysis]]|title=Venezuelan Supreme Court: Maduro is not Colombian|date=2016-11-01|url=https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916173341/https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-date=2025-09-16}}</ref>

He was born into a left-wing family who influenced him towards [[Progressivism|progressive]] politics from a young age, taking him to political rallies as early as 1967. His father, Nicolás Maduro García, was a prominent trade union leader and member of [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]] (AD). Maduro soon moved beyond his parents and from a young age was defending the [[Cuban Revolution]] and joining radical left organizations such as the [[Socialist League (Venezuela)|Socialist League]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Luis Hernández Navarro|newspaper=La Jornada|title=Nicolás Maduro, le chauffeur|date=2013-03-19|url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250715022521/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

== Presidency (2013-present) ==

=== Elections ===
Maduro was initially elected on April 14, 2013. This occurred following Chávez's death in March of that year.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=Mario Hubert Garrido|newspaper=Granma|title=The Maduro government’s first two years|date=2015-04-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2015-04-22/the-maduro-governments-first-two-years|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro won with 50.66% of the votes cast. His main opposition was Henrique Capriles. Capriles was part of the Primero Justicia party. After losing, he attempted to encourage riots in 2013, which caused the fatalities of 11 people.<ref name=":0" />

The following year, Leopoldo López and his party of Voluntad Popular held 'La Salida' which were attacks which killed 43 people. These attacks also injured over 800 people.<ref name=":0" />

In early 2015, the Venezuelan government uncovered plans for a [[coup d'état]]. These plans had included attacking civilian regions in Caracas, as well as governmental institutions. These plans had been backed by the [[United States of America]] via its embassy in Venezuela. A number of politicians within the country had also loaned it their support.<ref name=":0" /> This coup plan came to be known as the Blue Coup. Antonio Ledezma and Julio Borges were also found to be key operatives in this plan.<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Misión Verdad|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro shows his strength, looks death in the face|date=2018-08-10|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-10/maduro-shows-his-strength-looks-death-in-the-face|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Leading to the second election, some of the conservative parties threatened to not participate in the election. Maduro made it clear that the election would still be held regardless of this threat.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro: There will be elections come rain or shine|date=2018-02-16|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-02-16/maduro-there-will-be-elections-come-rain-or-shine|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In the following election, Maduro won a second time. 45.99% of the population voted, with 67.78%, or 6,157,185 votes, in favor of reelection. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcon, received 21.01% of the vote.<ref name=":2">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=World leaders congratulate Nicolás Maduro for his reelection|date=2018-05-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-22/world-leaders-congratulate-nicolas-maduro-for-his-reelection|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref> Falcon had gone against the election boycott of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) and had run in the election regardless of it.<ref name=":4">{{Web citation|author=Dayron Rodríguez Rosales|newspaper=Granma|title=How can the resistance of the Venezuelan people and Nicolás Maduro’s government be explained?|date=2018-10-28|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-28/how-can-the-resistance-of-the-venezuelan-people-and-nicolas-maduros-government-be-explained|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After the victory over Falcon, Maduro was accused of 'violating democracy' by the Venezuelan National Assembly on October 23, 2016. This was led by opposition leader Julio Borges. They also stated that Maduro was ineligible to hold the position due to having Colombian ancestors. The National Assembly was considered to hold no authority due to a ruling by the Supreme Court. Maduro accused the opposition of fraud and of having submitted falsified signatures during the signature drive. The opposition to Maduro in the National Assembly arranged protests called 'The takeover of Venezuela'.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Venezuela's right wing wants to impeach President Maduro|date=2016-10-24|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-10-24/venezuelas-right-wing-wants-to-impeach-president-maduro|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

Regardless of the actions of these opposition parties, Maduro has repeatedly encouraged dialogue and communication with the opposition groups.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro invites opposition to meet with government|date=2017-12-04|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2017-12-04/maduro-invites-opposition-to-meet-with-government|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

According to an Insight poll of 2600 Venezuelans, Maduro is the preferred candidate of 52.4% of those polled in the July 28, 2024 elections. This is followed by 37% for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia. 16.08% of respondents are undecided or do not know who they will vote for yet. The remainder of respondents were split among other candidates.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Nicolas Maduro Is the Favorite Candidate According to Insight Magazine|date=2024-04-29|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Nicolas-Maduro-Is-Favorite-Candidate-According-Insight-Magazine--20240429-0021.html|retrieved=2024-04-30}}</ref>

=== Assassination attempts ===
During an event in Caracas on Bolivar Avenue on August 4, 2018, two drones attempted to assassinate Maduro. This attack occurred while he was finishing giving a speech.<ref name=":1" />

This attack was carried out by Soldados de Franelas. Soldados de Franelas had links to Óscar Pérez and CICPC, who had killed civilians in attacks in 2017. Governmental investigations also found connections to the attack with outgoing Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos and agents within [[Florida]].<ref name=":1" />

Following the attack, a suspect named Juan Carlos Monasterios was arrested and revealed details of the plot. It was learned from Monasterios that Juan Requesens was involved. Requesens was arrested afterward. He also revealed that Rayder Alexander Russo Márquez and Osmán Alexis Delgado Tabosky were both involved in the attack. Neither were immediately caught. Everyone arrested has explained the involvement of Julio Borges.<ref name=":3">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Nicolás Maduro: Here is the evidence on the failed assassination attempt|date=2018-08-09|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-09/nicolas-maduro-here-is-the-evidence-on-the-failed-assassination-attempt|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

It was learned that a group calling itself, Bravo, had planned attacks on other events which were called off due to a lack of preparation.<ref name=":3" />

=== Achievements ===
Social programs created by Chávez have been supported and continued by Maduro.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=President Maduro praises social programs in Venezuela|date=2016-09-08|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-09-08/president-maduro-praises-social-programs-in-venezuela|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

In order to help promote what is beneficial to the people, Presidential Councils of People's Government have been created. These councils deal with a specific issue in the country and may aid in setting policy related to said issue.<ref name=":0" />

The Maduro government had taken significant steps to combat [[poverty]] in the country. As of 2015, 64% of the national budget is dedicated to this. This opposition to poverty have led to the creation of new governmental missions, such as, Jóvenes de la Patria and Hogares de la Patria.<ref name=":0" />

==== Food ====
The country also has excellent policies in relation to nutrition, according to Marcelo Resende, who is a representative at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.<ref name=":0" />

The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) have provided 60,000 tons of food and necessities to the poor in Venezuela.<ref name=":4" />

In the past, Venezuelan's required food was satisfied by importing 85%. It now produces 94% of all required food goods in the country.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title='We Consolidated Peace in Venezuela in 2022', President Maduro|date=2023-01-02|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/We-Consolidated-Peace-in-Venezuela-in-2022-President-Maduro-20230102-0001.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Housing ====
Maduro has continued the legacy of Chávez's Great Venezuela Housing Mission (GMVV). By 2017, 1.6 million houses had been built.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Celebrates 1.6 Millionth Home Built for the Poor|date=2017-04-30|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Celebrates-1.6-Millionth-Home-Built-for-the-Poor---20170430-0018.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref> This number had swelled to 4.6 million built by 2023.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Venezuela: President Maduro Delivers House Number 4.6 Million|date=2023-07-21|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-President-Maduro-Delivers-House-Number-4.6-Million-20230721-0011.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Medicine ====
During the Maduro administration, many steps have been taken to further the medical quality of the population. 71,900,000 free medical examinations have been provided. Venezuela has also worked with [[Cuba]] on [[Operation Miracle]] and has allowed sight back to 70,000 people.<ref name=":4" />

== Kidnapping ==
On the 3rd of January 2026, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was kidnapped by [[United States of America|Statesian]] imperialists on false charges of "narco-terrorism" and other drug charges as a front for the true intentions of imperialist plunder of Venezuelan oil.<ref name=":5">{{Web citation|newspaper=Al Jazeera|title=Video shows Venezuela’s President Maduro in US custody|date=2026-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgaYe4ZYYyY}}</ref> Two days later on January 5th both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and other weapons.<ref>This is despite the fact that Maduro is the leader of the country and therefore it is legal for him to own such weapons.</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Jan Wolfe|newspaper=Reuters|title=What are the charges against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro?|date=2026-01-05|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/what-are-charges-against-venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-2026-01-05/}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

=== International relations ===
The United States of America has attempted to meddle in Venezuelan affairs with other countries, including relations with European nations.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Urges Lifting Sanctions Against Venezuela|date=2023-07-19|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Urges-Lifting-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-20230719-0009.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After Maduro's reelection in 2018, he received wide congratulation from many different nations, including [[Plurinational State of Bolivia|Bolivia]], Cuba, [[El Salvador]], Iran, [[Republic of Mozambique|Mozambique]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Russia]]<ref name=":2" />, and the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=WPK Central Committee's Congratulatory Message to Venezuelan Party Leader|date=2022-4-30|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wNC0zMC1OMDA1QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBANA==|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In 2022, Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Benjamin Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Venezuela and Iran sign 20-year cooperation plan, Maduro pledges joint ‘anti-imperialist struggle’|date=2022-06-11|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718213509/https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-date=2022-07-18|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref> Later that year, he signed a declaration with [[Republic of Colombia|Colombian]] president [[Gustavo Petro]] striving for Latin American reintegration.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Ben Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Colombia’s new president reverses US coup, visits Venezuela, pledges unity in ‘spirit of Bolívar’|date=2022-11-02|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125060316/https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-date=2022-11-25|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref>

Nicolás Maduro has affirmed Venezuelan support for the DPRK against imperialism multiple times.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Venezuelan President|date=2022-9-11|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wOS0xMS1OMDEzQDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMw====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Message from Venezuelan President|date=2022-12-27|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0xMi0yNy1IMDA2QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMg====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro has claimed to be a Marxist-Leninist.<ref name=":lenin"></ref>

=== LGBT+ rights ===
In 2017 and 2020, Maduro stated his support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and made a request for Venezuela's National Assembly to discuss the topic.<ref>http://shangay.com/maduro-creo-que-todo-el-mundo-se-puede-casar-aunque-sea-homosexual</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-lgbt/venezuelas-maduro-citing-pope-asks-congress-to-consider-same-sex-marriage-idUSKBN27737E/</ref>

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Current heads of state]]
[[Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Politicians in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Presidents of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Targets of imperialism]]
[[Category:United Socialist Party of Venezuela politicians]]
[[Category:Venezuelans of Colombian descent]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of Venezuela]]

Nicolás Maduro

2026-01-06T00:01:57Z

Mitzo: Added a section on his kidnapping and trial

{{Infobox politician|image_size=200|birth_date={{birth date and age|1962|11|23|df=y}}|birth_place=Caracas, [[Republic of Venezuela (1953–1999)|Venezuela]]|nationality=Venezuelan|political_orientation=[[Marxism–Leninism]] (claimed) <ref name=":lenin">https://x.com/molotovnewss/status/1774958700307918931?s=46</ref> [[Chavismo]] [[Anti-imperialism]] [[Democratic socialism]] [[Bolivarianism]]|political_party=[[United Socialist Party of Venezuela|PSUV]]|image=Nicolas Maduro.png}}

'''Nicolás Maduro Moros''' is a [[Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|Venezuelan]] politician who has served as [[president of Venezuela]] since 2013. He has also served as president of the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV) since 2013, taking up both presidencies upon the death of President [[Hugo Chávez]]. Previously, he served as vice president under Chávez from 2012 to 2013 and was also the minister of foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012.

Because of [[United States imperialism|U.S. imperialism]] against Venezuela,<ref>[[John Bolton]] (2020). [https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=QjTMDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&hl=ko&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir'': 'Chapter 9: Venezuela Libre'.] Simon and Schuster.</ref><ref>[[Benjamin Norton|Norton, Ben]]. [https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ “Trump Advisor John Bolton Admits Planning US Coups in Venezuela and beyond.”] [[Multipolarista]]. July 13, 2022. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220731205139/https://multipolarista.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela/ Archived] 2022-07-31.</ref> Maduro's presidency has faced various forms of aggression and interference, such as assassination attempts,<ref>Joe Parkin Daniels (2018-08-05). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro survives apparent assassination attempt"] ''[[The Guardian]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220715064109/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter Archived] from the original on 2022-07-15.</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> and destabilization efforts organized by US-backed coup leader [[Juan Guaidó]], who, after a phone call with U.S. Vice President [[Mike Pence]], proclaimed himself president of Venezuela.<ref>Dan Cohen, [[Max Blumenthal]] (2019-01-29). [https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true "The Making of Juan Guaidó: How the US regime change laboratory created Venezuela’s coup leader"] ''[[The Grayzone]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220322210646/https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-regime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/amp/?__twitter_impression=true Archived] from the original on 2022-03-22.</ref>

On August 7, 2025, the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] announced a reward offer increase of up to $50 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest and stated the US does not recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Marco Rubio|newspaper=United States Department of State|title=Reward Offer Increase of Up to $50 Million for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of Nicolás Maduro|date=2025-08-07|url=https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901033015/https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/|archive-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> Previously, the State Department had announced a reward of up to $15 million in 2020.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ “Nicolás Maduro Moros - New Target.”] United States Department of State. March 26, 2020. [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103061620/https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros-new-target/ Archived] 2022-11-03.</ref>

== Early life ==
Nicolás Maduro Moros was born in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, on November 23, 1962.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Ministerio del Poder Popular del Depacho De La Precidencia|title=Président de la République bolivarienne du Venezuela|url=https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906072729/https://presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classPresidente.php|archive-date=2025-09-06}}</ref> Opposition figures have repeatedly tried to claim that Maduro was actually born in [[Republic of Colombia|Colombia]] or had Colombian dual citizenship due to his Colombian mother, in an attempt to invalidate him from the Presidency. These claims have been rejected by the governments of both Venezeula and Colombia as false.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Lucas Koerner|newspaper=[[Venezuelaanalysis]]|title=Venezuelan Supreme Court: Maduro is not Colombian|date=2016-11-01|url=https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916173341/https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12762/|archive-date=2025-09-16}}</ref>

He was born into a left-wing family who influenced him towards [[Progressivism|progressive]] politics from a young age, taking him to political rallies as early as 1967. His father, Nicolás Maduro García, was a prominent trade union leader and member of [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]] (AD). Maduro soon moved beyond his parents and from a young age was defending the [[Cuban Revolution]] and joining radical left organizations such as the [[Socialist League (Venezuela)|Socialist League]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Luis Hernández Navarro|newspaper=La Jornada|title=Nicolás Maduro, le chauffeur|date=2013-03-19|url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250715022521/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2013/03/19/opinion/023a2pol|archive-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

== Presidency (2013-present) ==

=== Elections ===
Maduro was initially elected on April 14, 2013. This occurred following Chávez's death in March of that year.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=Mario Hubert Garrido|newspaper=Granma|title=The Maduro government’s first two years|date=2015-04-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2015-04-22/the-maduro-governments-first-two-years|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro won with 50.66% of the votes cast. His main opposition was Henrique Capriles. Capriles was part of the Primero Justicia party. After losing, he attempted to encourage riots in 2013, which caused the fatalities of 11 people.<ref name=":0" />

The following year, Leopoldo López and his party of Voluntad Popular held 'La Salida' which were attacks which killed 43 people. These attacks also injured over 800 people.<ref name=":0" />

In early 2015, the Venezuelan government uncovered plans for a [[coup d'état]]. These plans had included attacking civilian regions in Caracas, as well as governmental institutions. These plans had been backed by the [[United States of America]] via its embassy in Venezuela. A number of politicians within the country had also loaned it their support.<ref name=":0" /> This coup plan came to be known as the Blue Coup. Antonio Ledezma and Julio Borges were also found to be key operatives in this plan.<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Misión Verdad|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro shows his strength, looks death in the face|date=2018-08-10|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-10/maduro-shows-his-strength-looks-death-in-the-face|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Leading to the second election, some of the conservative parties threatened to not participate in the election. Maduro made it clear that the election would still be held regardless of this threat.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro: There will be elections come rain or shine|date=2018-02-16|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-02-16/maduro-there-will-be-elections-come-rain-or-shine|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In the following election, Maduro won a second time. 45.99% of the population voted, with 67.78%, or 6,157,185 votes, in favor of reelection. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcon, received 21.01% of the vote.<ref name=":2">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=World leaders congratulate Nicolás Maduro for his reelection|date=2018-05-22|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-22/world-leaders-congratulate-nicolas-maduro-for-his-reelection|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref> Falcon had gone against the election boycott of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) and had run in the election regardless of it.<ref name=":4">{{Web citation|author=Dayron Rodríguez Rosales|newspaper=Granma|title=How can the resistance of the Venezuelan people and Nicolás Maduro’s government be explained?|date=2018-10-28|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-05-28/how-can-the-resistance-of-the-venezuelan-people-and-nicolas-maduros-government-be-explained|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After the victory over Falcon, Maduro was accused of 'violating democracy' by the Venezuelan National Assembly on October 23, 2016. This was led by opposition leader Julio Borges. They also stated that Maduro was ineligible to hold the position due to having Colombian ancestors. The National Assembly was considered to hold no authority due to a ruling by the Supreme Court. Maduro accused the opposition of fraud and of having submitted falsified signatures during the signature drive. The opposition to Maduro in the National Assembly arranged protests called 'The takeover of Venezuela'.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Venezuela's right wing wants to impeach President Maduro|date=2016-10-24|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-10-24/venezuelas-right-wing-wants-to-impeach-president-maduro|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

Regardless of the actions of these opposition parties, Maduro has repeatedly encouraged dialogue and communication with the opposition groups.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Maduro invites opposition to meet with government|date=2017-12-04|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2017-12-04/maduro-invites-opposition-to-meet-with-government|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

According to an Insight poll of 2600 Venezuelans, Maduro is the preferred candidate of 52.4% of those polled in the July 28, 2024 elections. This is followed by 37% for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia. 16.08% of respondents are undecided or do not know who they will vote for yet. The remainder of respondents were split among other candidates.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Nicolas Maduro Is the Favorite Candidate According to Insight Magazine|date=2024-04-29|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Nicolas-Maduro-Is-Favorite-Candidate-According-Insight-Magazine--20240429-0021.html|retrieved=2024-04-30}}</ref>

=== Assassination attempts ===
During an event in Caracas on Bolivar Avenue on August 4, 2018, two drones attempted to assassinate Maduro. This attack occurred while he was finishing giving a speech.<ref name=":1" />

This attack was carried out by Soldados de Franelas. Soldados de Franelas had links to Óscar Pérez and CICPC, who had killed civilians in attacks in 2017. Governmental investigations also found connections to the attack with outgoing Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos and agents within [[Florida]].<ref name=":1" />

Following the attack, a suspect named Juan Carlos Monasterios was arrested and revealed details of the plot. It was learned from Monasterios that Juan Requesens was involved. Requesens was arrested afterward. He also revealed that Rayder Alexander Russo Márquez and Osmán Alexis Delgado Tabosky were both involved in the attack. Neither were immediately caught. Everyone arrested has explained the involvement of Julio Borges.<ref name=":3">{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=Nicolás Maduro: Here is the evidence on the failed assassination attempt|date=2018-08-09|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2018-08-09/nicolas-maduro-here-is-the-evidence-on-the-failed-assassination-attempt|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

It was learned that a group calling itself, Bravo, had planned attacks on other events which were called off due to a lack of preparation.<ref name=":3" />

=== Achievements ===
Social programs created by Chávez have been supported and continued by Maduro.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Granma|title=President Maduro praises social programs in Venezuela|date=2016-09-08|url=https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2016-09-08/president-maduro-praises-social-programs-in-venezuela|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

In order to help promote what is beneficial to the people, Presidential Councils of People's Government have been created. These councils deal with a specific issue in the country and may aid in setting policy related to said issue.<ref name=":0" />

The Maduro government had taken significant steps to combat [[poverty]] in the country. As of 2015, 64% of the national budget is dedicated to this. This opposition to poverty have led to the creation of new governmental missions, such as, Jóvenes de la Patria and Hogares de la Patria.<ref name=":0" />

==== Food ====
The country also has excellent policies in relation to nutrition, according to Marcelo Resende, who is a representative at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.<ref name=":0" />

The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) have provided 60,000 tons of food and necessities to the poor in Venezuela.<ref name=":4" />

In the past, Venezuelan's required food was satisfied by importing 85%. It now produces 94% of all required food goods in the country.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title='We Consolidated Peace in Venezuela in 2022', President Maduro|date=2023-01-02|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/We-Consolidated-Peace-in-Venezuela-in-2022-President-Maduro-20230102-0001.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Housing ====
Maduro has continued the legacy of Chávez's Great Venezuela Housing Mission (GMVV). By 2017, 1.6 million houses had been built.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Celebrates 1.6 Millionth Home Built for the Poor|date=2017-04-30|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Celebrates-1.6-Millionth-Home-Built-for-the-Poor---20170430-0018.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref> This number had swelled to 4.6 million built by 2023.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=Venezuela: President Maduro Delivers House Number 4.6 Million|date=2023-07-21|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-President-Maduro-Delivers-House-Number-4.6-Million-20230721-0011.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==== Medicine ====
During the Maduro administration, many steps have been taken to further the medical quality of the population. 71,900,000 free medical examinations have been provided. Venezuela has also worked with [[Cuba]] on [[Operation Miracle]] and has allowed sight back to 70,000 people.<ref name=":4" />

== Kidnapping ==
On the 3rd of January 2026, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was kidnapped by [[United States of America|USAmerican]] imperialists on false charges of "narco-terrorism" and other drug charges as a front for the true intentions of imperialist plunder of Venezuelan oil.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Al Jazeera|title=Video shows Venezuela’s President Maduro in US custody|date=2026-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgaYe4ZYYyY}}</ref> Two days later on January 5th both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and other weapons.<ref>This is despite the fact that Maduro is the leader of the country and therefore it is legal for him to own such weapons.</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Jan Wolfe|newspaper=Reuters|title=What are the charges against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro?|date=2026-01-05|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/what-are-charges-against-venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-2026-01-05/}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

=== International relations ===
The United States of America has attempted to meddle in Venezuelan affairs with other countries, including relations with European nations.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=teleSUR|title=President Maduro Urges Lifting Sanctions Against Venezuela|date=2023-07-19|url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-Urges-Lifting-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-20230719-0009.html|retrieved=2023-08-01}}</ref>

After Maduro's reelection in 2018, he received wide congratulation from many different nations, including [[Plurinational State of Bolivia|Bolivia]], Cuba, [[El Salvador]], Iran, [[Republic of Mozambique|Mozambique]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Russia]]<ref name=":2" />, and the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=WPK Central Committee's Congratulatory Message to Venezuelan Party Leader|date=2022-4-30|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wNC0zMC1OMDA1QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBANA==|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

In 2022, Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Benjamin Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Venezuela and Iran sign 20-year cooperation plan, Maduro pledges joint ‘anti-imperialist struggle’|date=2022-06-11|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718213509/https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/|archive-date=2022-07-18|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref> Later that year, he signed a declaration with [[Republic of Colombia|Colombian]] president [[Gustavo Petro]] striving for Latin American reintegration.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[Ben Norton]]|newspaper=[[Multipolarista]]|title=Colombia’s new president reverses US coup, visits Venezuela, pledges unity in ‘spirit of Bolívar’|date=2022-11-02|url=https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125060316/https://multipolarista.com/2022/11/02/colombia-petro-visits-venezuela-unity-bolivar/|archive-date=2022-11-25|retrieved=2022-12-04}}</ref>

Nicolás Maduro has affirmed Venezuelan support for the DPRK against imperialism multiple times.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Venezuelan President|date=2022-9-11|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0wOS0xMS1OMDEzQDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMw====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Rodong Sinmun|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Message from Venezuelan President|date=2022-12-27|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMi0xMi0yNy1IMDA2QDExQDBATWFkdXJvQDBAMg====|retrieved=2023-07-22}}</ref>

Maduro has claimed to be a Marxist-Leninist.<ref name=":lenin"></ref>

=== LGBT+ rights ===
In 2017 and 2020, Maduro stated his support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and made a request for Venezuela's National Assembly to discuss the topic.<ref>http://shangay.com/maduro-creo-que-todo-el-mundo-se-puede-casar-aunque-sea-homosexual</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-lgbt/venezuelas-maduro-citing-pope-asks-congress-to-consider-same-sex-marriage-idUSKBN27737E/</ref>

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Current heads of state]]
[[Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Politicians in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Presidents of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Targets of imperialism]]
[[Category:United Socialist Party of Venezuela politicians]]
[[Category:Venezuelans of Colombian descent]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of Venezuela]]

Topic:Z5wzvgq57irjnysc

2026-01-05T03:47:57Z

Mitzo (talk | contribs) commented on "DeLeon as a reformist" (while DeLeon was not opposed to political reforms, it seems incorrect to say he preferred reform to revolution. he was still a revolution...)

Commodity

2025-12-18T17:49:31Z

Mitzo: Added Economic Problems to further reading

A '''commodity''' is a [[Social relations|social relation]] for any good or service or resource produced for the purpose of exchange.<ref>{{Citation|author=Karl Marx|year=1867|title=[[Capital, vol. I]]|chapter=Commodities and money|section=[https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/ch01.htm Commodities]|page=|quote=Whoever directly satisfies his wants with the produce of his own labour, creates, indeed, use values, but not commodities. In order to produce the latter, he must not only produce use values, but use values for others, social use values. (And not only for others, without more. The mediaeval peasant produced quit-rent-corn for his feudal lord and tithe-corn for his parson. But neither the quit-rent-corn nor the tithe-corn became commodities by reason of the fact that they had been produced for others. To become a commodity a product must be transferred to another, whom it will serve as a use value, by means of an exchange.)|pdf=|city=|publisher=|isbn=|doi=|lg=|mia=|title-url=|chapter-url=|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref> The commodity has two aspects, its [[use value]], its qualitative physical and useful properties, and its [[Value|exchange value]], which is its quantitative properties, the proportion in relation to the exchange of other commodities.<ref>{{Citation|author=Vladimir Lenin|year=1915|title=Karl Marx: a brief biographical sketch with an exposition of Marxism|chapter=Marx’s economic doctrine|section=|page=|quote=A commodity is, in the first place, a thing that satisfies a human want; in the second place, it is a thing that can be exchanged for another thing. The utility of a thing makes is use-value. Exchange-value (or, simply, value), is first of all the ratio, the proportion, in which a certain number of use-values of one kind can be exchanged for a certain number of use-values of another kind.|pdf=|city=|publisher=|isbn=|doi=|lg=|mia=|title-url=|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1914/granat/ch03.htm|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref>

==Difference in Marxist and non-Marxist usage==
The term ''commodity'' is used differently in [[Marxism|Marxist]] and non-Marxist economics. In Marxist economics it means a ''marketed'' good or service – one that is bought or sold. Goods or services that are not produced for sale, although they may be physically the same, are not termed `commodities'. Commodities are characteristic of [[capitalism]], whereas goods and services in non-capitalist economic systems such as socialism or feudalism are generally not commodities.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the ''Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29'' (International Publishers: New York, 1987) p. 269. 
Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) p. 80.
</ref>

In non-Marxist economics, eg. the language of capitalist businesspeople, `commodity' means a good or service that is not differentiated in the market from other goods or services of the same general type. One unit of the commodity is regarded as being as good as any other, regardless of the details of its origin. The term mainly applies to bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, and wheat.

==Marxist theory==
In classical [[political economy]] and especially [[Karl Marx]]'s critique of political economy, a commodity (in German: ''Kaufware'', merchandise, ware for sale) is any good or service ("products" of "activities")<ref> Karl Marx,
"Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) p. 80.)
</ref> produced by human labour<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p. 38 and also "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 48.
</ref>
and offered for sale in a market.<ref>Karl Marx, Capital: Volume I, p. 36 and also in "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 46.
</ref>
Some other priced goods are also treated as commodities, e.g. human labor-power, works of art, and natural resources, even though they may not be produced specifically for the market, or be non-reproducible goods.

Things which are not commodities include those produced for one's own use, for one's family, as gifts, or for distribution according to rules of tradition. The important point is that in none of those cases is the thing bought and sold in a market.

Example: If I knit a sweater to keep myself warm this winter, it is not a commodity, but if I knit it to take downtown and barter for potatoes (or money) it is a commodity.

Marx was particularly concerned with commodities because they are characteristic of the [[capitalist mode of production]]. Under capitalism, most items produced are commodities. That was not the case in pre-capitalist societies where, for instance, people grew their own food, or grew it under slavery or feudal conditions where it was taken from them and distributed in traditional [[Alotment|alotments]] or by [[fiat]] – the majority of the product was never bought or sold.

Marx used the commodity as an entry point to tackle the problem of what establishes the economic value of goods; and from there the problem of exploitation of labour under capitalism – that is, that the labourer does not receive the full value of the goods she produces.<ref>This is the order of presentation in the first three Parts of Capital, Volume 1.
</ref>

The problem of what establishes the economic value of goods had earlier been investigated by [[Adam Smith]], [[David Ricardo]] and [[Karl Rodbertus-Jagetzow]] among others.

===Characteristics of commodity===
*It has a ''[[value]]'', which according to the [[labour theory of value]] is proportional to the quantity of human labor needed to produce it.<ref>Karl Marx, Capital: Volume I, (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p. 38 and "Capital" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35 (International Publishers: New York, 1996) p. 48.</ref>
*It has a ''[[use value]]'' which is its capacity to satisfy some human need or want, physical or ideal.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Enconomy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29 (International Publishers: New York, 1987) p. 269.</ref> By nature this is a social use value, i.e. the object is useful not just to the producer but has a use for others generally.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29, p. 270.</ref>
*It has an ''[[exchange value]]'', meaning that a commodity can be traded for other commodities, and thus give its owner the benefit of others' labor (the labor done to produce the purchased commodity).<ref>Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) pp. 167-168.</ref> ''[[Price]]'' is the monetary expression of exchange-value.<ref>Price is the expression of exchange value in a purely capitalist, fully commodified economy, but in other contexts exchange value could also be expressed as a direct trading ratio between two commodities without using money, and goods could be priced using different valuations or criteria. 
For more on exchange value, see Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28, p. 148.</ref>

===Goods versus services===
<blockquote>
"Up until now, one might have had the impression that when the term "commodity" is used, it refers solely to physical objects. But what is relevant here is the act of exchange, not the fact that physical objects are being exchanged. Services can also be exchanged and therefore become commodities. The difference between a material product and an "immaterial" service consists solely of a different temporal relationship between production and consumption: the material product is first produced and subsequently consumed (a bread roll should be consumed on the same day, but an automobile can remain by its manufacturer for a few weeks or even months before I have a chance to use it). In the case of a service (whether we are talking about a taxi ride, a massage, or a theater performance), the act of production is concurrent with the act of consumption (as the taxi driver produces a change of place, I consume it). The difference between services and physical objects consists of a distinction between the material content; the question as to whether they are commodities pertains to their social form, and that depends upon whether the objects and services are exchanged. And with that, we have sorted out the matter of the frequently stated argument that with the "transition from an industrial to a service economy" or in the left-wing variant of Hardt and Negri-- the transition from "material" to immaterial" production--Marx's value theory has become outmoded--"
<ref>Michael Heinric (2004) "An Introduction to Karl Marx's Capital"</ref>
</blockquote>

Consider the humble barber. They sell haircuts whose use-value is the shortening of a person's hair and exchange this haircut for money, or if they are a grandpa, perhaps for candy. The same holds for baristas, live performers (singers, dancers, poets and so on), teachers and many other professions.
===Historical origins of commodity trade===
Commodity-trade, Karl Marx argues, historically begins at the boundaries of separate economic communities based otherwise on a non-commercial form of production.<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, p. 87 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 98.
</ref>
Thus, producers trade in those goods of which those producers, have episodic or permanent [[surplus]]es to their own requirements, and they aim to obtain different goods with an equal value in return.

Karl refers to this as "simple exchange" which implies what Frederick Engels calls "[[simple commodity production]]". At first, goods may not even be intentionally produced for the explicit purpose of exchanging them, but as a regular market for goods develops and a cash economy grows, this becomes more and more the case, and production increasingly becomes integrated in commodity trade. The division of labour becomes more complex, a class of merchants emerges which specializes in trading commodities, buying here and selling there, without producing goods themselves, and parallel to this, property owners emerge who extend credit and charge rents. This process goes together with the increased use of [[money]], and the aim of merchants, bankers and renters becomes to gain ''income'' from the trade, by acting as intermediaries between producers and consumers. "The product becomes a commodity" and "exchange value of the commodity acquires a separate existence alongside the commodity".<ref>Karl Marx,
"Outlines of the Critique of Political Capital" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28, p. 102.
</ref>

Modern capitalism according to Karl Marx involves a mode of production based on generalized commodity production (Marx's German term is ''veralgemeinte Warenproduktion''), a universal market. (See also [[capitalist mode of production]].) This means that both the inputs and the outputs of most production in society have become priced, tradable goods (including the [[means of production]] and human [[labour power]]), and that what and how much is produced is largely determined by the response of producers to the "state of the market". Production is now explicitly engaged in for the purpose of market sales only, which implies both that its whole organization is reshaped for this aim, and that people can meet their own needs by purchases in the market (rather than producing goods directly for their own consumption).

===Commodification===
{{Main article|Commodification}}
The transformation of a labor-product into a commodity (its "marketing") is in reality not a simple process, but has many technical and social preconditions. For example, it often involves a considerable ''practical'' accomplishment in trade, and the commodification process may be influenced not just by economic or technical factors, but also political and cultural factors, insofar as it involves property rights, claims to access to resources, and guarantees about quality or safety of use. Some of the preconditions to commodification include:

*the existence of a reliable supply of a product, or at least a surplus or [[surplus product]].
*the existence of a social need for it (a market demand) that must be met through trade, or at any event cannot be met otherwise.
*the legally sanctioned assertion of private ownership rights to the commodity.
*the enforcement of these rights, so that ownership is secure.
*the transferability of these private rights from one owner to another.
*the right to buy and sell the commodity, and/or obtain (privately) and keep income from such trade
*the (physical) transferability of the commodity itself, i.e. the ability to store, package, preserve and transport it from one owner to another.
*the imposition of exclusivity of access to the commodity.
*the possibility of the owner to use or consume the commodity privately.
*guarantees about the quality and safety of the commodity, and possibly a guarantee of replacement or service, should it fail to function as intended.

The [[Reification |reifying]] effects of universalised trade in commodities, involving a process Karl Marx calls "[[commodity fetishism]],"<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, pp. 71-83 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 81-94.</ref>
mean that social relations become expressed as relations between things;<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital, pp. 71-72 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 81-82.</ref>
for example, price relations. Markets mediate a complex network of interdependencies and [[supply chains]] emerging among people who may not even know who produced the goods they buy, or where they were produced.

Since no one agency can control or regulate the myriad of transactions that occur (apart from blocking some trade here, and permitting it there), the whole of production falls under the sway of the [[law of value]], and economics becomes a science aiming to understand market behavior, i.e. the aggregate effects of a multitude of people interacting in markets. How quantities of use-values are allocated in a market economy depends mainly on their exchange value, and this allocation is mediated by the "cash nexus".

<blockquote>
"Man really attains the state of complete humanity when he produces, without being forced by physical need to sell himself as a commodity." 
— [[Ernesto Guevara|Che Guevara]] <ref>A letter from Che Guevara to Carlos Quijano, published as [http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1965/03/man-socialism.htm "From Algiers, for Marcha : The Cuban Revolution Today"]] (12 March 1965) "Socialism and Man in Cuba"</ref>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"How can it be 'mutually beneficial' to sell at world market prices the raw materials that cost the underdeveloped countries immeasurable sweat and suffering, and to buy at world market prices the machinery produced in today's big automated factories?" 
— Che Guevara <ref>[http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1965/02/24.htm "At the Afro-Asian Conference in Algeria"] speech by Che Guevara to the Second Economic Seminar of Afro-Asian Solidarity in Algiers, Algeria on February 24, 1965.</ref>
</blockquote>

"To trade or not to trade", that may be the question. The modern debate in this regard focuses often on intellectual property rights because ideas are increasingly becoming objects of trade, and the technology now exists to transform ideas into commodities much more easily.

===Pseudo-commodities===
Marx acknowledged explicitly that not all commodities are products of human labour; all kinds of things can be traded "as if" they are commodities, so long as property rights can be attached to them. These are "fictitious commodities" or "pseudo-commodities" or "fiduciary commodities", i.e. their existence as commodities is only nominal or conventional. They may not even be tangible objects, but exist only ideally. A property right or financial claim, for instance, may be traded as a commodity. [[Cryptocurrency|Bitcoins and NFTs]] as well as many financial products, like mortgages and shares act this way.

===Forms of commodity trade===
The 7 basic forms of commodity trade are summarized below. The letter M stands for money and C for commodity.

*M-C (an act of purchase: a sum of money purchases a commodity,or "money is changed into a commodity")
*C-M (an act of sale: a commodity is sold for money)
*M-M' (a sum of money is lent out at interest to obtain more money, or, one currency or financial claim is traded for another. "Money begets money.")
*C-C' (counter-trade, in which a commodity trades directly for a different commodity, with money possibly being used as an accounting referent, for example, food for oil, or weapons for diamonds)
*C-M-C' (a commodity is sold for money, which buys another, different commodity with an equal or higher value)
*M-C-M' (money is used to buy a commodity which is resold to obtain a larger sum of money)
*M-C...P...-C'-M' (money buys means of production and labour power used in production to create a new commodity, which is sold for more money than the original outlay. "The circular course of [[capital]]")<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, pp. 147-155 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 155-61. 
On M-C-P-C-M see Karl Marx, Capital: Volume II (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p 56.</ref>

The dots in the last-mentioned circuit ("...") indicate that a value-forming process (production, "P") occurs in between purchase of commodities and the sales of different commodities. C-M-C' and M-C-M' are the circuits in [[merchant capitalism]]. The final circuit (M-C...P...-C'-M'), which involves capitalist production, is characteristic of fully developed capitalism.

===Cost structure of commodities===
Karl Marx claims that the value of a commodity is reducible to four components:

*[[variable capital]] (labour costs)
*[[constant capital]] (costs of materials and equipment)
*[[faux frais of production]] (incidental expenses which cost labour-time)
*[[surplus value]] (revenue going to the capitalists – profit, interest, rent).

In capitalism, Marx argues, commodity values are commercially expressed as the [[prices of production]] of commodities (cost-price + average profit). Prices of production are established jointly by average input costs ''and'' by the ruling profit margins applying to outputs sold. They reflect the fact that production has become totally integrated into the circuits of commodity trade, in which [[capital accumulation]] becomes the dominant motive. But what prices of production simultaneously hide is the social nature of the [[valorisation]] process, i.e. how an increase in capital-value occurs through production.

Likewise, in considering the gross output of capitalist production in an economy as a whole, Marx divides its value into these four components. He argues that the total new value added in production, which he calls the [[value product]], consists of the equivalent of variable capital, plus surplus value. Thus, the workers produce by their labor both a new value equal to their own wages, plus an additional new value which is claimed by capitalists by virtue of their ownership and supply of productive capital.

By producing new capital in the form of new commodities, Marx argues the working class continuously [[Reproduction |reproduces]] the capitalist relations of production; by their work, workers create a new value distributed as both labour-income and property-income. If, as free workers, they choose to stop working, the system begins to break down; hence, capitalist civilisation strongly emphasizes the [[work ethic]], regardless of religious belief. People must work, because work is the source of new value, profits and capital.

=== Commodity production under socialism ===
Commodity production continues under [[socialism]] as collective farms sell their produce to cities. However, exchange values are not the focus of production as it is under capitalism, but exists in industry to help build the [[productive forces]] needed to progress to a higher stage. It does not exist in the final stage of [[communism]] as the means of production and products of industry are fully collectively owned.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1952|title=Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR|chapter=Commodity Production Under Socialism|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1951/economic-problems/ch03.htm|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1951/economic-problems/index.htm}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*Most of Marx's works can be viewed for free at [http://marxists.org/archive/marx/works/subject/economy/index.htm Marxists.org] . Of particular relevance are:
** ''Contribution to a Critique of Political Economy''
** Commodities - from the first chapter of ''Das Kapital''
* A useful commentary on the Marxian concept is provided in: Costas Lapavitsas, "Commodities and Gifts: Why Commodities Represent More than Market Relations". ''Science & Society'', Vol 68, # 1, Spring 2004
* See also Jack P. Manno, ''Privileged Goods: Commoditization and Its Impact on Environment and Society''. CRC Press, 1999.
* Marxists.org, ''Encyclopedia of Marxism'', [http://marxists.org/glossary/terms/c/o.htm#commodity "Commodity"]
* Joseph Stalin's ''[[Library:Economic problems of socialism in the USSR|Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR]]'' section 2: ''Commodity Production Under Socialism''.

==Notes==
<references/>
== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Marxist terminology]] [[Category:Political economy]] [[Category:Marxian economics]] [[Category:Capitalism]]
[[Category:Articles containing information from Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Marxist terminology]] [[Category:Political economy]] [[Category:Marxian economics]] [[Category:Capitalism]]
[[Category:Articles containing information from Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Capital volume I concepts]]

Commodity

2025-12-18T17:47:25Z

Mitzo: elaborated more on commodity production under socialism regarding its role as a productive force builder

A '''commodity''' is a [[Social relations|social relation]] for any good or service or resource produced for the purpose of exchange.<ref>{{Citation|author=Karl Marx|year=1867|title=[[Capital, vol. I]]|chapter=Commodities and money|section=[https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/ch01.htm Commodities]|page=|quote=Whoever directly satisfies his wants with the produce of his own labour, creates, indeed, use values, but not commodities. In order to produce the latter, he must not only produce use values, but use values for others, social use values. (And not only for others, without more. The mediaeval peasant produced quit-rent-corn for his feudal lord and tithe-corn for his parson. But neither the quit-rent-corn nor the tithe-corn became commodities by reason of the fact that they had been produced for others. To become a commodity a product must be transferred to another, whom it will serve as a use value, by means of an exchange.)|pdf=|city=|publisher=|isbn=|doi=|lg=|mia=|title-url=|chapter-url=|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref> The commodity has two aspects, its [[use value]], its qualitative physical and useful properties, and its [[Value|exchange value]], which is its quantitative properties, the proportion in relation to the exchange of other commodities.<ref>{{Citation|author=Vladimir Lenin|year=1915|title=Karl Marx: a brief biographical sketch with an exposition of Marxism|chapter=Marx’s economic doctrine|section=|page=|quote=A commodity is, in the first place, a thing that satisfies a human want; in the second place, it is a thing that can be exchanged for another thing. The utility of a thing makes is use-value. Exchange-value (or, simply, value), is first of all the ratio, the proportion, in which a certain number of use-values of one kind can be exchanged for a certain number of use-values of another kind.|pdf=|city=|publisher=|isbn=|doi=|lg=|mia=|title-url=|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1914/granat/ch03.htm|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref>

==Difference in Marxist and non-Marxist usage==
The term ''commodity'' is used differently in [[Marxism|Marxist]] and non-Marxist economics. In Marxist economics it means a ''marketed'' good or service – one that is bought or sold. Goods or services that are not produced for sale, although they may be physically the same, are not termed `commodities'. Commodities are characteristic of [[capitalism]], whereas goods and services in non-capitalist economic systems such as socialism or feudalism are generally not commodities.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the ''Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29'' (International Publishers: New York, 1987) p. 269. 
Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) p. 80.
</ref>

In non-Marxist economics, eg. the language of capitalist businesspeople, `commodity' means a good or service that is not differentiated in the market from other goods or services of the same general type. One unit of the commodity is regarded as being as good as any other, regardless of the details of its origin. The term mainly applies to bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, and wheat.

==Marxist theory==
In classical [[political economy]] and especially [[Karl Marx]]'s critique of political economy, a commodity (in German: ''Kaufware'', merchandise, ware for sale) is any good or service ("products" of "activities")<ref> Karl Marx,
"Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) p. 80.)
</ref> produced by human labour<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p. 38 and also "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 48.
</ref>
and offered for sale in a market.<ref>Karl Marx, Capital: Volume I, p. 36 and also in "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 46.
</ref>
Some other priced goods are also treated as commodities, e.g. human labor-power, works of art, and natural resources, even though they may not be produced specifically for the market, or be non-reproducible goods.

Things which are not commodities include those produced for one's own use, for one's family, as gifts, or for distribution according to rules of tradition. The important point is that in none of those cases is the thing bought and sold in a market.

Example: If I knit a sweater to keep myself warm this winter, it is not a commodity, but if I knit it to take downtown and barter for potatoes (or money) it is a commodity.

Marx was particularly concerned with commodities because they are characteristic of the [[capitalist mode of production]]. Under capitalism, most items produced are commodities. That was not the case in pre-capitalist societies where, for instance, people grew their own food, or grew it under slavery or feudal conditions where it was taken from them and distributed in traditional [[Alotment|alotments]] or by [[fiat]] – the majority of the product was never bought or sold.

Marx used the commodity as an entry point to tackle the problem of what establishes the economic value of goods; and from there the problem of exploitation of labour under capitalism – that is, that the labourer does not receive the full value of the goods she produces.<ref>This is the order of presentation in the first three Parts of Capital, Volume 1.
</ref>

The problem of what establishes the economic value of goods had earlier been investigated by [[Adam Smith]], [[David Ricardo]] and [[Karl Rodbertus-Jagetzow]] among others.

===Characteristics of commodity===
*It has a ''[[value]]'', which according to the [[labour theory of value]] is proportional to the quantity of human labor needed to produce it.<ref>Karl Marx, Capital: Volume I, (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p. 38 and "Capital" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35 (International Publishers: New York, 1996) p. 48.</ref>
*It has a ''[[use value]]'' which is its capacity to satisfy some human need or want, physical or ideal.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Enconomy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29 (International Publishers: New York, 1987) p. 269.</ref> By nature this is a social use value, i.e. the object is useful not just to the producer but has a use for others generally.<ref>Karl Marx, "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 29, p. 270.</ref>
*It has an ''[[exchange value]]'', meaning that a commodity can be traded for other commodities, and thus give its owner the benefit of others' labor (the labor done to produce the purchased commodity).<ref>Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28 (International Publishers: New York, 1986) pp. 167-168.</ref> ''[[Price]]'' is the monetary expression of exchange-value.<ref>Price is the expression of exchange value in a purely capitalist, fully commodified economy, but in other contexts exchange value could also be expressed as a direct trading ratio between two commodities without using money, and goods could be priced using different valuations or criteria. 
For more on exchange value, see Karl Marx, "Outlines of the Critique of Political Economy" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28, p. 148.</ref>

===Goods versus services===
<blockquote>
"Up until now, one might have had the impression that when the term "commodity" is used, it refers solely to physical objects. But what is relevant here is the act of exchange, not the fact that physical objects are being exchanged. Services can also be exchanged and therefore become commodities. The difference between a material product and an "immaterial" service consists solely of a different temporal relationship between production and consumption: the material product is first produced and subsequently consumed (a bread roll should be consumed on the same day, but an automobile can remain by its manufacturer for a few weeks or even months before I have a chance to use it). In the case of a service (whether we are talking about a taxi ride, a massage, or a theater performance), the act of production is concurrent with the act of consumption (as the taxi driver produces a change of place, I consume it). The difference between services and physical objects consists of a distinction between the material content; the question as to whether they are commodities pertains to their social form, and that depends upon whether the objects and services are exchanged. And with that, we have sorted out the matter of the frequently stated argument that with the "transition from an industrial to a service economy" or in the left-wing variant of Hardt and Negri-- the transition from "material" to immaterial" production--Marx's value theory has become outmoded--"
<ref>Michael Heinric (2004) "An Introduction to Karl Marx's Capital"</ref>
</blockquote>

Consider the humble barber. They sell haircuts whose use-value is the shortening of a person's hair and exchange this haircut for money, or if they are a grandpa, perhaps for candy. The same holds for baristas, live performers (singers, dancers, poets and so on), teachers and many other professions.
===Historical origins of commodity trade===
Commodity-trade, Karl Marx argues, historically begins at the boundaries of separate economic communities based otherwise on a non-commercial form of production.<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, p. 87 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, p. 98.
</ref>
Thus, producers trade in those goods of which those producers, have episodic or permanent [[surplus]]es to their own requirements, and they aim to obtain different goods with an equal value in return.

Karl refers to this as "simple exchange" which implies what Frederick Engels calls "[[simple commodity production]]". At first, goods may not even be intentionally produced for the explicit purpose of exchanging them, but as a regular market for goods develops and a cash economy grows, this becomes more and more the case, and production increasingly becomes integrated in commodity trade. The division of labour becomes more complex, a class of merchants emerges which specializes in trading commodities, buying here and selling there, without producing goods themselves, and parallel to this, property owners emerge who extend credit and charge rents. This process goes together with the increased use of [[money]], and the aim of merchants, bankers and renters becomes to gain ''income'' from the trade, by acting as intermediaries between producers and consumers. "The product becomes a commodity" and "exchange value of the commodity acquires a separate existence alongside the commodity".<ref>Karl Marx,
"Outlines of the Critique of Political Capital" contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 28, p. 102.
</ref>

Modern capitalism according to Karl Marx involves a mode of production based on generalized commodity production (Marx's German term is ''veralgemeinte Warenproduktion''), a universal market. (See also [[capitalist mode of production]].) This means that both the inputs and the outputs of most production in society have become priced, tradable goods (including the [[means of production]] and human [[labour power]]), and that what and how much is produced is largely determined by the response of producers to the "state of the market". Production is now explicitly engaged in for the purpose of market sales only, which implies both that its whole organization is reshaped for this aim, and that people can meet their own needs by purchases in the market (rather than producing goods directly for their own consumption).

===Commodification===
{{Main article|Commodification}}
The transformation of a labor-product into a commodity (its "marketing") is in reality not a simple process, but has many technical and social preconditions. For example, it often involves a considerable ''practical'' accomplishment in trade, and the commodification process may be influenced not just by economic or technical factors, but also political and cultural factors, insofar as it involves property rights, claims to access to resources, and guarantees about quality or safety of use. Some of the preconditions to commodification include:

*the existence of a reliable supply of a product, or at least a surplus or [[surplus product]].
*the existence of a social need for it (a market demand) that must be met through trade, or at any event cannot be met otherwise.
*the legally sanctioned assertion of private ownership rights to the commodity.
*the enforcement of these rights, so that ownership is secure.
*the transferability of these private rights from one owner to another.
*the right to buy and sell the commodity, and/or obtain (privately) and keep income from such trade
*the (physical) transferability of the commodity itself, i.e. the ability to store, package, preserve and transport it from one owner to another.
*the imposition of exclusivity of access to the commodity.
*the possibility of the owner to use or consume the commodity privately.
*guarantees about the quality and safety of the commodity, and possibly a guarantee of replacement or service, should it fail to function as intended.

The [[Reification |reifying]] effects of universalised trade in commodities, involving a process Karl Marx calls "[[commodity fetishism]],"<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, pp. 71-83 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 81-94.</ref>
mean that social relations become expressed as relations between things;<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital, pp. 71-72 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 81-82.</ref>
for example, price relations. Markets mediate a complex network of interdependencies and [[supply chains]] emerging among people who may not even know who produced the goods they buy, or where they were produced.

Since no one agency can control or regulate the myriad of transactions that occur (apart from blocking some trade here, and permitting it there), the whole of production falls under the sway of the [[law of value]], and economics becomes a science aiming to understand market behavior, i.e. the aggregate effects of a multitude of people interacting in markets. How quantities of use-values are allocated in a market economy depends mainly on their exchange value, and this allocation is mediated by the "cash nexus".

<blockquote>
"Man really attains the state of complete humanity when he produces, without being forced by physical need to sell himself as a commodity." 
— [[Ernesto Guevara|Che Guevara]] <ref>A letter from Che Guevara to Carlos Quijano, published as [http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1965/03/man-socialism.htm "From Algiers, for Marcha : The Cuban Revolution Today"]] (12 March 1965) "Socialism and Man in Cuba"</ref>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"How can it be 'mutually beneficial' to sell at world market prices the raw materials that cost the underdeveloped countries immeasurable sweat and suffering, and to buy at world market prices the machinery produced in today's big automated factories?" 
— Che Guevara <ref>[http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1965/02/24.htm "At the Afro-Asian Conference in Algeria"] speech by Che Guevara to the Second Economic Seminar of Afro-Asian Solidarity in Algiers, Algeria on February 24, 1965.</ref>
</blockquote>

"To trade or not to trade", that may be the question. The modern debate in this regard focuses often on intellectual property rights because ideas are increasingly becoming objects of trade, and the technology now exists to transform ideas into commodities much more easily.

===Pseudo-commodities===
Marx acknowledged explicitly that not all commodities are products of human labour; all kinds of things can be traded "as if" they are commodities, so long as property rights can be attached to them. These are "fictitious commodities" or "pseudo-commodities" or "fiduciary commodities", i.e. their existence as commodities is only nominal or conventional. They may not even be tangible objects, but exist only ideally. A property right or financial claim, for instance, may be traded as a commodity. [[Cryptocurrency|Bitcoins and NFTs]] as well as many financial products, like mortgages and shares act this way.

===Forms of commodity trade===
The 7 basic forms of commodity trade are summarized below. The letter M stands for money and C for commodity.

*M-C (an act of purchase: a sum of money purchases a commodity,or "money is changed into a commodity")
*C-M (an act of sale: a commodity is sold for money)
*M-M' (a sum of money is lent out at interest to obtain more money, or, one currency or financial claim is traded for another. "Money begets money.")
*C-C' (counter-trade, in which a commodity trades directly for a different commodity, with money possibly being used as an accounting referent, for example, food for oil, or weapons for diamonds)
*C-M-C' (a commodity is sold for money, which buys another, different commodity with an equal or higher value)
*M-C-M' (money is used to buy a commodity which is resold to obtain a larger sum of money)
*M-C...P...-C'-M' (money buys means of production and labour power used in production to create a new commodity, which is sold for more money than the original outlay. "The circular course of [[capital]]")<ref>Karl Marx,
Capital: Volume I, pp. 147-155 and "Capital" as contained in the Collected Works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels: Volume 35, pp. 155-61. 
On M-C-P-C-M see Karl Marx, Capital: Volume II (International Publishers: New York, 1967) p 56.</ref>

The dots in the last-mentioned circuit ("...") indicate that a value-forming process (production, "P") occurs in between purchase of commodities and the sales of different commodities. C-M-C' and M-C-M' are the circuits in [[merchant capitalism]]. The final circuit (M-C...P...-C'-M'), which involves capitalist production, is characteristic of fully developed capitalism.

===Cost structure of commodities===
Karl Marx claims that the value of a commodity is reducible to four components:

*[[variable capital]] (labour costs)
*[[constant capital]] (costs of materials and equipment)
*[[faux frais of production]] (incidental expenses which cost labour-time)
*[[surplus value]] (revenue going to the capitalists – profit, interest, rent).

In capitalism, Marx argues, commodity values are commercially expressed as the [[prices of production]] of commodities (cost-price + average profit). Prices of production are established jointly by average input costs ''and'' by the ruling profit margins applying to outputs sold. They reflect the fact that production has become totally integrated into the circuits of commodity trade, in which [[capital accumulation]] becomes the dominant motive. But what prices of production simultaneously hide is the social nature of the [[valorisation]] process, i.e. how an increase in capital-value occurs through production.

Likewise, in considering the gross output of capitalist production in an economy as a whole, Marx divides its value into these four components. He argues that the total new value added in production, which he calls the [[value product]], consists of the equivalent of variable capital, plus surplus value. Thus, the workers produce by their labor both a new value equal to their own wages, plus an additional new value which is claimed by capitalists by virtue of their ownership and supply of productive capital.

By producing new capital in the form of new commodities, Marx argues the working class continuously [[Reproduction |reproduces]] the capitalist relations of production; by their work, workers create a new value distributed as both labour-income and property-income. If, as free workers, they choose to stop working, the system begins to break down; hence, capitalist civilisation strongly emphasizes the [[work ethic]], regardless of religious belief. People must work, because work is the source of new value, profits and capital.

=== Commodity production under socialism ===
Commodity production continues under [[socialism]] as collective farms sell their produce to cities. However, exchange values are not the focus of production as it is under capitalism, but exists in industry to help build the [[productive forces]] needed to progress to a higher stage. It does not exist in the final stage of [[communism]] as the means of production and products of industry are fully collectively owned.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1952|title=Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR|chapter=Commodity Production Under Socialism|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1951/economic-problems/ch03.htm|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1951/economic-problems/index.htm}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*Most of Marx's works can be viewed for free at [http://marxists.org/archive/marx/works/subject/economy/index.htm Marxists.org] . Of particular relevance are:
** ''Contribution to a Critique of Political Economy''
** Commodities - from the first chapter of ''Das Kapital''
* A useful commentary on the Marxian concept is provided in: Costas Lapavitsas, "Commodities and Gifts: Why Commodities Represent More than Market Relations". ''Science & Society'', Vol 68, # 1, Spring 2004
* See also Jack P. Manno, ''Privileged Goods: Commoditization and Its Impact on Environment and Society''. CRC Press, 1999.
* Marxists.org, ''Encyclopedia of Marxism'', [http://marxists.org/glossary/terms/c/o.htm#commodity "Commodity"]

==Notes==
<references/>
== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Marxist terminology]] [[Category:Political economy]] [[Category:Marxian economics]] [[Category:Capitalism]]
[[Category:Articles containing information from Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Marxist terminology]] [[Category:Political economy]] [[Category:Marxian economics]] [[Category:Capitalism]]
[[Category:Articles containing information from Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Capital volume I concepts]]

Joseph Stalin

2025-12-18T17:41:21Z

Mitzo: Changed birthday to December 18th. His birthday was reported as the 21st but the actual records show it as the 18th

{{Message box/Missing Sources}}{{Infobox revolutionary
| name = Josef Stalin
| native_name = Иосиф Сталин იოსებ სტალინი
| image = File:Iosif_Stalin.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| caption = Portrait of comrade Stalin
| nationality = Georgian
|political_party=[[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]]| birth_name = Ioseb Besarionis dze Jugashvili
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1878|12|18}}
| birth_place = Gori, Tiflis Governorate, Russian Empire (present-day [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]])
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1953|3|5|1878|12|18}}
| death_place = Moscow, [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| death_cause = Cerebral hemorrhage
| political_line = [[Marxism–Leninism]]
}}
'''Iósif Vissariónovich Dzhugashvili''' (18 December 1878 – 5 March 1953), better known as '''Joseph Stalin''', was a Georgian [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] revolutionary, political theorist, and the elected<ref name=":1">{{Citation|author=Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute|year=1949|title=Joseph Stalin: a political biography|page=34, 48|quote=After the conference, in May 1917, a Political Bureau of the Central Committee was instituted, to which Stalin was elected and to which he has been successively re-elected ever since.
[...]
On Lenin's motion, the Plenum of the Central Committee, on April 3, 1922, elected Stalin, Lenin's faithful disciple and associate, General Secretary of the Central Committee, a post at which he has remained ever since.|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=26C959185500A43A5CFF3947ECEF2FCB}}</ref> leader of the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)|Soviet Union]] from 3 April 1922 to 16 October 1952, serving several terms as the [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] during that time.

Stalin oversaw the great period of [[collectivization|collectivisation]] and industrialisation which transformed the USSR from an illiterate rural backwater to a [[Socialism|socialist]] superpower by the late-1930s and early-1940s. Under Stalin's leadership, the USSR played a principal role in the defeat of [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Nazi Germany]] and [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Imperial Japan]] during [[Second World War|World War II]].

== Life and work ==

=== Early life (1878–1899) ===
[[File:StalinAtTiflisSeminary.jpg|thumb|Stalin in 1896 as a student at the Tiflis Seminary]]
Iósif Vissariónovich Dzhugashvili was born on 21 December, 1878<ref group="lower-alpha">Although some historians claim he was born in 18th December, his birthday was officially celebrated on 21st December.</ref> in Gori,<ref group="lower-alpha">The city of Gori was part of the Tiflis Governorate, which was one of the administrative divisions of the [[Russian Empire]].</ref> a city of the [[Russian Empire (1721–1917)|Russian Empire]], in the family of a craftsman, later a worker of a shoe factory. Like his parents, Stalin was an ethnic [[Georgia|Georgian]], and he grew up speaking the Georgian language. Both his father and his mother came from a family of serfs.<ref>{{Citation|author=Ian Grey|year=1979|title=Stalin, man of history|chapter=|section=|page=9|quote=Vissarion, his father, came from the village of Didi-Lilo, near Tiflis, where his parents, like their forebears, had been peasant serfs. For Vissarion emancipation meant that he was free to follow his trade as a cobbler. Around 1870 he moved to Gori, where in 1874 he married Ekaterina Georgievna Geladze, daughter of a serf family from a nearby village. She was about eighteen years of age, some five years younger than her husband. They were humble working people, poor and illiterate.|pdf=|city=|publisher=|isbn=|doi=|lg=http://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=A341F7377CB157DD7730A9A416CDC302|mia=|title-url=|chapter-url=|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref>

Stalin's revolutionary activities can be traced to his time as a student after 1894, when he joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Tiflis.<ref>{{Citation|author=Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute|year=1949|title=Joseph Stalin: a political biography|page=5|quote=In the autumn of 1888 Stalin entered the church school in Gori, from which, in 1894, he passed to the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Tiflis.

This was a period when, with the development of industrial capitalism and the attendant growth of the working-class movement, Marxism had begun to spread widely throughout Russia. The St. Petersburg League of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Working Class, founded and led by Lenin, had given a powerful stimulus to the Social-Democratic movement all over the country.|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=26C959185500A43A5CFF3947ECEF2FCB}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|year=1931|title=[[Library:Stalin interview with Emil Ludwig|Stalin interview with Emil Ludwig]]|quote=I joined the revolutionary movement at the age of fifteen, when I became connected with certain illegal groups of Russian Marxists in Transcaucasia. These groups exerted a great influence on me and instilled in me a taste for illegal Marxian literature.}}</ref> In 1896 and 1897, Stalin was a part of Marxist study groups in the seminary, and in August 1898, he formally joined the Tiflis branch of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) and began to conduct [[propaganda]] work among the workers in the Tiflis railway workshops. An avid reader, he read ''[[Capital, vol. I|Capital]]'' and the ''[[Manifesto of the communist party]]'', written by [[Marx|Karl Marx]], subsequently taking a profound interest in [[Marxism]]. At that time, he became acquainted with some of Lenin's articles criticizing the [[Narodniks]] and the "Legal Marxists".<ref>{{Citation|author=Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute|year=1945|title=Joseph Stalin: a short biography|page=5|quote=Jn 1896 and 1897, Stalin conducted Marxist study circles in the seminary, and in August 1898 he formally enrolled as a member of the Tiflis Branch of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. [...]

Stalin worked hard to broaden his knowledge. He studied Capital, the Communist Manifesto and other works of Marx and Engels. He acquainted himself with Lenin's polemical writings against Narodism, "Legal Marxism" and "Economism." His theoretical interests were extremely broad. He studied philosophy, political economy, history and natural science. He read widely in the classics. He thus trained himself to he an educated Marxist. Even at this early date Lenin's writings made a deep impression on him. "I must meet him at all costs," one of Stalin's friends. reports him to have said. after reading an article by Tulin (Lenin).|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=034C4C1A4DBC437BC939DCF13A1D9EBD}}</ref> In 1899, Stalin was expelled from the seminary for the propaganda of Marxism, and he went to an illegal position and became a professional revolutionary.

=== Beginning of revolutionary activities (1900–1917) ===
Stalin played a central role in the revolutionary activities of the [[Bolsheviks]], a faction of the [[Russian Social Democratic Labor Party|Russian Social Democratic Labour Party]] (RSDLP) led by [[Vladimir Lenin]], before and during the [[Russian revolution of 1917|October Revolution]].[[File:Stalin1902Mugshot.jpg|thumb|Stalin's mugshot after being arrested in 1902]]
[[File:Stalin exile painting.png|thumb|Stalin in exile in Siberia]]
While organizing in the [[Caucasus]], Stalin exposed the [[Mensheviks]] as [[Liberalism|liberal]] [[Reformism|reformists]]. He met Lenin in person for the first time at a [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Bolshevik]] conference in Tampere, [[Grand Duchy of Finland (1809–1917)|Finland]] in 1905.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Russo-Japanese War and the First Russian Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm}}</ref> In 1912, the party elected Stalin to the Central Committee even though he was in exile at the time.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Stolypin Reaction. The Bolsheviks Constitute Themselves an Independent Marxist Party|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch04.htm}}</ref> In 1912, Stalin helped found the newspaper ''Pravda''.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party during the New Rise of the Working Class Movement before the First Imperialist War|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch05.htm}}</ref>

After the [[February Revolution]], Stalin returned from exile in [[Siberia]]. He called for an overthrow of the [[Russian Republic (1917–1918)|provisional government]] and opposed the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[First World War]]. At a party conference in April 1917, he argued with [[Nikolai Bukharin|Bukharin]] and [[Georgy Pyatakov|Pyatakov]], who did not support the right of [[Nation|nations]] to [[self-determination]]. In September, Stalin opposed participating in the [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]] [[Provisional Council of the Russian Republic|Provisional Council]] and called for a revolution instead.

On 29 October 1917, the Central Committee elected Stalin as head of the Party Center to direct the [[Russian revolution of 1917|October Revolution]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref>

=== Civil War (1918–1920) ===
In summer 1919, the Central Committee sent Stalin, [[Kliment Voroshilov|Voroshilov]], [[Sergo Orjonikidze|Orjonikidze]], and [[Semyon Budyonny|Budyonny]] to the southern front, where he organized an attack against [[Anton Denikin]] from the [[Donbass]]. The [[Workers' and Peasants' Red Army|Red Army]] defeated Denikin in October 1919 and liberated all of [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1919–1991)|Ukraine]] by early 1920.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=[[Library:History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union#The Bolshevik party in the period of foreign military intervention and civil war (1918—1920)|The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Foreign Military Intervention and Civil War]]|chapter-url=|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch08.htm}}</ref>

=== Establishment of the USSR (1921–1924) ===
[[File:Stalin painting 1920s.png|thumb|270x270px|Painting of Stalin from the 1920s]]
After the defeat of the interventionists and the [[Russian Civil War|Civil War]], in transition to a peaceful economic construction, the anti-party groups led by [[Leon Trotsky|Trotsky]] launched a struggle against the party line developed by [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=[[Library:History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union#The Bolshevik party in the period of transition to the peaceful work of economic restoration (1921—1925)|The Bolshevik party in the period of transition to the peaceful work of economic restoration]]|chapter-url=|quote=The small opposition groups—the Trotskyites, "Workers' Opposition," "Left Communists," "Democratic-Centralists," etc.—wavered and vacillated in face of the difficulties attending the transition to peaceful economic construction. There were in the Party quite a number of ex-members of the Menshevik, Socialist-Revolutionary, Bund and Borotbist parties, and all kinds of semi-nationalists from the border regions of Russia. Most of them allied themselves with one opposition group or another.
[...]
It was Trotsky who started the discussion and the fight against Lenin, against the Leninist majority of the Central Committee. With the intention of aggravating the situation, he came out at a meeting of Communist delegates to the Fifth All-Russian Trade Union Conference, held at the beginning of November 1920, with the dubious slogans of "tightening the screws" and "shaking up the trade unions." Trotsky demanded that the trade unions be immediately "governmentalized." He was against the use of persuasion in relations with the working class, and was in favour of introducing military methods in the trade unions. Trotsky was against any extension of democracy in the trade unions, against the principle of electing trade union bodies.|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> Stalin defended the [[Leninist]] line and fought against anti-party groups and factions ([[Trotskyism|Trotskyists]], "workers' opposition"). At the 10th Congress of the Party (1921) Stalin presented "The Report on the next tasks of the Party in the [[national question]]". After the 11th Party Congress (1922) the Plenum of the Party Central Committee elected Joseph Stalin as the Secretary General of the Central Committee.

Under the leadership of V. I. Lenin, the Party during this period carried out extensive work on the creation of the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]]. Lenin believed that the USSR should be a voluntary union of equal and sovereign [[Soviet republic|union republics]]. On this question, Stalin at first took the wrong stand, putting forward the project of so-called "autonomization", i.e., the entry into the RSFSR of other Soviet republics on the rights of autonomous units. V. I. Lenin strongly opposed this proposal, criticized Stalin's mistakes in conducting the national policy, his partiality to the manifestations of great-power [[chauvinism]]. The Leninist principles were accepted by the Central Committee and formed the basis of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The report on the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922) was made at the 1st Congress of Soviets of the USSR by the order of the Central Committee of the RCP(b) by I.V. Stalin in view of Lenin's illness.

After Lenin's death, the Communist Party, under the leadership of the Central Committee, firmly and confidently led the Soviet people along the path of implementation of Lenin's precepts, on the path of building socialism. At this time, Stalin made a number of works that were of great importance in the protection and propaganda of Leninism and in the ideological defeat of the currents hostile to Leninism. In this respect, a great role was played by Stalin's work [[Foundations of Leninism|''On the Foundations of Leninism'']] (1924), which set forth the basic issues of Leninism and disclosed the new things that Lenin contributed to Marxism. The defense by I. V. Stalin, together with other leaders of the Party, of the Leninist theory of the possibility of the victory of socialism initially [[Socialism in one country|in one country]], and of the possibility of the victory of socialism in the USSR in the capitalist encirclement, was of particular importance in the struggle against the Trotskyists.{{Citation needed}}

=== 14th Party Congress (1925–1926) ===
Based on the instructions of V. Lenin, who developed a scientifically sound program for building socialism in the USSR, the party set a course for the [[socialist industrialization]] of the country. This line was set out in the political report of the Central Committee at the XIV Party Congress (1925), made by Stalin. The report emphasized that the essence of [[industrialization]] was the priority development of [[heavy industry]], and first of all the [[mechanical engineering]], the fundamental difference of socialist industrialization, which was inextricably linked with the improvement of the working people's material condition, from the capitalist one, which was held by means of colonial seizure, robbery and ruthless exploitation of the working people.

In early 1926 he published a book of Stalin "Toward Leninism", which was criticized opportunistic views of [[Grigory Zinoviev|Zinovievites]], who were descending to the ideological positions of Trotskyism and wanted the Soviet Union to stay mostly [[Agriculture|agricultural]] and import its industry from [[Capitalism|capitalist]] countries.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> At the 15th Party Conference (November 1926) Stalin made a report "On the Social Democratic bias in our party" and at the VII Extended Plenum of the Executive Committee of the Communist International (December 1926) with the report "About the Social Democratic bias in our party again". Both these reports played an important role in rallying the party ranks under the banner of Leninist ideas and in exposing the Trotskyites, their capitulation to capitalism and their disorganizing activities.

=== Collectivization campaign (1927–1934) ===
Based on the successes of socialist industrialization and guided by Lenin's [[cooperative plan]], the 15th Congress of the CPSU (b) (1927) put forward [[collectivization]] of the [[agriculture]] as the most important task of the Party and Soviet people. These questions were covered in the political report of the Central Committee of the Party, made at the Congress by I. V. Stalin. During this period, an anti-party group of [[Opportunism|right-wing opportunists]]—[[Bukharin]], [[Alexei Rykov|Rykov]], [[Mikhail Tomsky|Tomsky]] and others—openly opposed the general line of the Party. In the reports of Stalin "On the industrialization of the country and the right deviation in the CPSU (b)" (1928), "On the right - the deviation in the CPSU (b)" (1929), etc. exposed the line of the right opportunists, which expressed the ideology of the [[kulak]], rich peasant class.

In 1930, Stalin released the ''Pravda'' article "Dizzy with Success," criticizing people who were overenthusiastic about [[collectivization]] and forced [[Peasantry|peasants]] onto collective farms. This issue was most severe in [[Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Transcaucasia]] and Central Asia, where collectivization was not scheduled to finish until 1933.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Collectivization of Agriculture|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch11.htm}}</ref>

At the XVI Congress of the CPSU(b) (1930) and XVII Congress of the CPSU(b) (1934) Stalin made reports on the work of the Central Committee of the Party. During this period, the Communist Party and the Soviet state carried out an all-out offensive of socialism against the [[Capitalism|capitalist]] elements. Under the conditions of a tense international situation, the country overcame enormous difficulties in order to put an end to the technical and economic backwardness within the shortest historical period. In pursuing a course of priority and predominant development of heavy industry, the Party made decisive progress in the socialist industrialization of the country and the collectivization of agriculture.

=== 1936 Constitution and later (1936–1939) ===
[[File:Stalin 1936.jpg|thumb|Stalin in 1936]]
Stalin helped draft the [[Library:Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1936)|1936 Constitution of the Soviet Union]], which the Eighth Congress of Soviets approved in November 1936.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle to Complete the Building of the Socialist Society. Introduction of the New Constitution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch12.htm}}</ref> This constitution remained in effect until 1977.

In 1938 Stalin wrote his work ''[[Dialectical and historical materialism]]'', which provides a brief coverage of the foundations of Marxist-Leninist philosophy and shows its importance for the practical work of the Party.

In March 1939 the 18th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks was held. In the report of the Central Committee at the Congress Stalin outlined the program developed by the Central Committee of the struggle of the party and the Soviet people for the completion of building a socialist society in the gradual transition from socialism to communism.{{Citation needed}}

=== Second World War (1939–1945) ===
From December 1940 to January 1941, Stalin attended a military conference with all top military officers. The 18th Congress of the CPSU in February 1941 focused on preparing industry and transportation for the war. In early March, [[Semen Tymoshenko|Tymoshenko]] and [[Georgy Zhukov|Zhukov]] asked him to call up 800,000 reservists, which he initially refused but approved at the end of the month.<ref name=":022332">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Stalin and the anti-fascist war|page=192–8|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|publisher=Editions EPO|isbn=9782872620814}}</ref> The size of the Red Army grew from two million in 1938 to over six million in 1941.<ref name=":05">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Socialist industrialization|page=35–42|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|publisher=Editions EPO|isbn=9782872620814}}</ref>

On 21 June 1941, a German defector said that Germany would attack the Soviet Union the next night. Stalin alerted all units and told troops to camouflage themselves and their aircraft. He ordered them to secretly occupy firing posts on the border. Germany began bombing border cities at 3:40 a.m. on 22 June, and Stalin met with the Politburo at 4:30. He approved Zhukov's request to immediately attack the enemy, which was sent at 7:15 a.m. On 26 June, Stalin began creating a reserve front 300 kilometers behind the main front.<ref name=":022332" />

Joseph Stalin became [[Premier of the Soviet Union|Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars]] in 1941, a position he would hold until his death.<ref>{{Citation|author=Samuel Totten, Paul Bartrop|year=2008|title=Dictionary of Genocide: A–L|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313346422}}</ref> He worked fourteen or fifteen hours daily during the war, taking his first vacation since 1937 in 1946.<ref name=":2">{{Citation|author=Domenico Losurdo, David Ferreira|year=2020|title=Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend|chapter=The Complex and Contradictory Course of the Stalin Era|section=Bureaucracy or “Zealous Faith”?|page=121|quote=[At least during the years of the war] Stalin worked fourteen or fifteen hours a day in the Kremlin or at the dacha [...]. In autumn of 1946, Stalin went to the south to enjoy a vacation for the first time since 1937 [...]. A few months before his death, and ignoring urgent recommendations from doctors, Stalin rejected the possibility of taking a break in the autumn or winter of 1952, despite the enormous amount of time and effort dedicated to organizing the XIX party congress in October.|lg=http://library.lol/main/fab891d8f6bbf7bb49e78240483751e4|trans-lang=Italian}}</ref> At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin was appointed Chairman of the State Defense Committee, People's Commissar of Defense, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and remained in these positions until the victorious end of the war.

Stalin had extensive knowledge of the war situation and demanded exact accuracy from his staff. He required front commanders to send reports every day and criticized [[Rokossovsky]] when he did not do so on 16 August 1943. Stalin also had an excellent memory and remembered all the names of over 100 front commanders in addition to many other commanders, members of the [[People's Commissariat of Defense]], and party officials. He personally knew and often convened builders of planes, artillery, and tanks.<ref name=":0223323">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|title-url=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin|chapter=Stalin and the anti-fascist war|page=229–236|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|publisher=Editions EPO|isbn=9782872620814}}</ref>

During the war, Joseph Stalin, as a head of the Soviet government, took part in the conferences of the leaders of the three powers—the USSR, the USA and Great Britain—in Tehran (1943), in Yalta and Berlin (1945). During these years, Stalin maintained everyday correspondence with the presidents of the USA and the prime-ministers of Great Britain, in which he insistently fought for strengthening of anti-Hitler coalition, consistently defended the national interests of the peoples of the countries which were subject to Hitlerite aggression.

=== Postwar period and death (1946–1953) ===
[[File:StalinFinalSpeech1952.jpg|thumb|Stalin giving his final speech to the CPSU congress on October 14, 1952]]
In the postwar period, I. V. Stalin published his works "Marxism and questions of linguistics" (1950) and "Economic problems of socialism in the USSR" (1952), which considers important questions of Marxist-Leninist theory. "The Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR" had a great influence on the development of some positions in the political economy of socialism. I.V. Stalin stressed the objective character of economic laws in socialism; based on the classical Marxism-Leninism statements, he formulated the main economic law of socialism, the law of systematic and proportional development of national economy; noted the importance of priority growth of means of production for the expanded socialist reproduction. At the same time, the work contains a number of erroneous and controversial positions (e.g.: assertion that commodity circulation begins to hinder the development of productive forces of the country and the gradual transition to product exchange is necessary; underestimation of the law of value in production, especially with regard to means of production; the statement about inevitability of reduction of the volume of capitalist production after World War II and about inevitability of wars between capitalist countries in the current conditions).{{Citation needed}}

In October 1952 the 19th Congress of the CPSU was held. At the closing session of the Congress Stalin made a speech. The Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee, which took place after the Congress, elected Joseph Stalin a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Stalin continued to fight against [[revisionism]] and [[opportunism]] but underestimated the strength it would have without a capitalist [[Base and superstructure|base]].<ref name=":02233232">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=From Stalin to Khrushchev|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=253–262}}</ref>

Outstanding work of Stalin was highly appreciated by the Soviet Union. Stalin's outstanding activities were highly appreciated by the Soviet government. He was awarded the ranks of a Hero of Socialist Labor (1939), a Hero of the Soviet Union (1945) and Generalissimo of the Soviet Union (1945). He was awarded with three Orders of Lenin, the Order of Victory, the Order of the Red Banner, Suvorov of the 1st degree and medals.

==== Death ====
Stalin's health declined during the early 1950s due to overwork during the war. He rejected to take a break in the autumn or winter of 1952, despite recommendations from doctors.<ref name=":2" /> In the last few months before his death, his security was dismantled. [[Alexander Proskryobychev|Proskryobychev]], Stalin's personal secretary since 1928, was put under house arrest, and [[Nikolai Vlasik]], Stalin's bodyguard, was arrested in December 1952 and died in prison. [[Pyotr Kosynkin]], Vice-Commander of the Kremlin Guard, died of a supposed heart attack on 17 February 1953. [[Lavrentiy Beria|Beria]] was the only one capable of such a plot, and [[Vyacheslav Molotov|Molotov]] suspected that [[MVD]] chief [[Lavrentiy Beria|Beria]] poisoned Stalin, while [[Enver Hoxha|Hoxha]] believed [[Nikita Khrushchev|Khrushchev]] and [[Anastas Mikoyan|Mikoyan]] had planned to assassinate him.<ref name=":02233232" />

On 1 March 1953, at 23:00 Stalin's guards found him unconscious in his room but did not call a doctor. He did not receive first aid until twelve hours after his collapse and died on 5 March.<ref name=":02233232" />

== Common myths ==

===Antisemitism===

While anti-semitism has been a historical tool of the [[Far-right politics|far-right]] and [[Fascism|fascists]] in particular, "[[Cultural Marxism|Judeo-Bolshevism]]" and "cultural bolshevism" being classic fascist [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] linking the communist movement with fictional [[Judaism|Jewish]] cabals plotting world domination or ethnic domination, some historians still claim that Stalin too was an [[Anti-Semitism|anti-Semite]]. While [[Russian Empire (1721–1917)|Russia]] had a long and troubled history with [[Mikhail Bakunin|anti-Semitism]] before revolution, there is no evidence that Stalin held these views. The below letter from Stalin opposes this notion.

{{Quote|In answer to your inquiry:

National and racial chauvinism is a vestige of the misanthropic customs characteristic of the period of cannibalism. Anti-semitism, as an extreme form of racial chauvinism, is the most dangerous vestige of cannibalism.

Anti-semitism is of advantage to the exploiters as a lightning conductor that deflects the blows aimed by the working people at [[capitalism]]. Anti-semitism is dangerous for the working people as being a false path that leads them off the right road and lands them in the jungle. Hence Communists, as consistent internationalists, cannot but be irreconcilable, sworn enemies of anti-semitism.

In the U.S.S.R. anti-semitism is punishable with the utmost severity of the law as a phenomenon deeply hostile to the Soviet system. Under U.S.S.R. law active anti-semites are liable to the death penalty.|J. Stalin|Reply to an inquiry of the Jewish News Agency in the United States {{Refn|Stalin: ''Reply to an inquiry of the Jewish News Agency in the United States'' [https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1931/01/12.htm MIA link]}}}}During Stalin's time in office, Jews made up 4.3% of party membership, which was much higher than their share of the total population. [[Lazar Kaganovich|Kaganovich]] and [[Maxim Litvinov|Litvinov]], two members of Stalin's leadership, were both Jewish. During the late 1930s, 10% of Central Committee members were Jewish even though only about 1% of the total population was Jewish.'''<ref name=":02">{{Citation|author=Albert Szymanski|year=1984|title=Human Rights in the Soviet Union|chapter=The European Nationalities in the USSR|page=88–94|pdf=https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzaceazdmtb2y3qq27fve5ib3gk7uv2unt6ae2xss74xmfpur7k5uhl5m?filename=Albert%20Szymanski%20-%20Human%20Rights%20in%20the%20Soviet%20Union_%20Including%20Comparisons%20with%20the%20U.S.A.-Zed%20Books%20Ltd.%20%281984%29.pdf|city=London|publisher=Zed Books Ltd|isbn=0862320186|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=C597B1232D9EA6B0F3DCB438D7E15A81}}</ref>'''

=== Autocratic rule ===
It is accepted in bourgeois circles that Stalin was a dictator who imposed his personal will on the entire country. However, during the Great Patriotic War, the Politburo and military leadership made collective decisions. If they could not agree, they would create a commission of opposing sides to create a proposal. Stalin, as Commander in Chief of the Red Army, took his generals' opinions into account and listened to their advice.<ref name=":0223323" />

Stalin was elected Chairman of the CPSU several times by the Plenum of the Central Committee.<ref name=":1" /> He also tried to resign four times, but each time was turned down by the Central Committee.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Socialist Musings|title=Stalin’s Four Attempts at Resignation|date=2017-02-23|url=https://socialistmlmusings.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/stalins-four-attempts-at-resignation/}}</ref>

=== Personality cult ===
While there is no doubt that Stalin was a revered figure in the USSR, there is no evidence to suggest he made any active efforts to build up a [[cult of personality]] around himself. In fact, in 1938 he requested the destruction of a book that portrayed him too positively and stated that the theory of "heroes" was an [[Party of Socialist-Revolutionaries|SR]] and not a [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Bolshevik]] theory.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1938|title=Letter on Publications for Children Directed to the Central Committee of the All Union Communist Youth|title-url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/stalin-on-the-cult-of-personality/|city=London|publisher=Red Star Press|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1938/02/16.htm}}</ref> Stalin also condemned the "Great man" in a speech to collective farmers in 1933:

{{Quote|The times have passed when leaders were regarded as the only makers of history, while the workers and peasants were not taken into account. The destinies of nations and of states are now determined, not only by leaders, but primarily and mainly by the vast masses of the working people. The workers and the peasants, who without fuss and noise are building factories and mills, constructing mines and railways, building collective farms and state farms, creating all the values of life, feeding and clothing the whole world—they are the real heroes and the creators of the new life.|Joseph Stalin|[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1933/02/19.htm Speech Delivered at the 1st All-Union Congress of Collective Farm Shock Brigadiers]|1933}}Kaganovich proposed the replacement of Marxism-Leninism with Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism, to which Stalin rejected saying: "you want to compare a dick to a guard tower."<ref>{{Citation|author=Domenico Losurdo, David Ferreira|year=2020|title=Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend|chapter=How to Cast a God into Hell: The Khrushchev Report|section=The Cult of Personality in Russia, from Kerensky to Stalin|page=33|quote=In fact, when Kaganovich suggests substituting the term Marxism-Leninism for Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism, the leader to whom that tribute is directed responds: “you want to compare a dick to a guard tower."|lg=http://library.lol/main/fab891d8f6bbf7bb49e78240483751e4|trans-lang=Italian}}</ref> After winning the Great Patriotic War, Stalin declined the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union".<ref>{{Citation|author=Domenico Losurdo, David Ferreira|year=2020|title=Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend|chapter=How to Cast a God into Hell: The Khrushchev Report|section=The Cult of Personality in Russia, from Kerensky to Stalin|page=33|quote=Immediately after the victory parade, a group of marshals reach out to Molotov and Malenkov: they propose to them the commemoration of the victory achieved in the Great Patriotic War by offering the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union” to Stalin, who nonetheless rejects the offer.|lg=http://libgen.li/ads.php?md5=fab891d8f6bbf7bb49e78240483751e4|trans-lang=Italian}}</ref> Not only that, but he refused to tour Berlin.<ref>{{Citation|author=Domenico Losurdo, David Ferreira|year=2020|title=Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend|chapter=How to Cast a God into Hell: The Khrushchev Report|section=The Cult of Personality in Russia, from Kerensky to Stalin|page=33|quote=The Soviet leader also sought to escape rhetorical excesses on the occasion of the Potsdam Conference: “Both Churchill and Truman took their time walking among Berlin’s ruins; Stalin showed no such interest. Without drawing attention, he arrived by train, and even ordered Zhukov to cancel any welcoming ceremony with a military band and an honor guard.|lg=http://library.lol/main/fab891d8f6bbf7bb49e78240483751e4|trans-lang=Italian}}</ref>

On his 70th birthday, he categorically refused a state award.<ref>{{Citation|author=Domenico Losurdo, David Ferreira|year=2020|title=Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend|chapter=How to Cast a God into Hell: The Khrushchev Report|section=The Cult of Personality in Russia, from Kerensky to Stalin|page=33|quote=He [Stalin] called in Malenkov and warned him: “Don’t even think about honoring me again with a ‘star’." “But comrade Stalin, on an anniversary like this? The people would not understand.” “It’s not up to the people. I don’t want to argue. No personal initiative! Understand me?” “Of course, comrade Stalin, but the politburo members think…” Stalin interrupted Malenkov and declared the discussion closed.|lg=http://libgen.li/ads.php?md5=fab891d8f6bbf7bb49e78240483751e4|trans-lang=Italian}}</ref>

== Popular support ==
In a poll made in 2019, 70% of [[Russian Federation|Russians]] said they had a positive view of Stalin's role in history. This was a 12% increase from 58% in 2015.<ref>{{News citation|newspaper=[[In Defense of Communism]]|title=Anticommunism Fails: 70% of Russians have a positive opinion on Joseph Stalin|date=2019-04-17|url=http://www.idcommunism.com/2019/04/anticommunism-fails-70-of-russians-have-positive-view-on-joseph-stalin.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629093512/https://www.idcommunism.com/2019/04/anticommunism-fails-70-of-russians-have-positive-view-on-joseph-stalin.html|archive-date=2021-06-29}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Quotes:Joseph Stalin]]
* [[:Category:Library works by Joseph Stalin|Stalin's works in ProleWiki's Library]]

== Further reading ==

* ''[[Library:Another view of Stalin|Another View of Stalin]]''
* ''[[Library:Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend|Stalin: The History and Critique of a Black Legend]]''

==References==
<references />

=== Notes ===
<references group="lower-alpha" />
[[Category:1878 births]]
[[Category:1953 deaths]]
[[Category:Communist leaders]]
[[Category:Debunking myths]]
[[Category:Featured page]]
[[Category:Former heads of state]]
[[Category:Georgian anti-imperialists]]
[[Category:Georgian communists]]
[[Category:Georgian homophobes]]
[[Category:Georgian Marxist-Leninists]]
[[Category:Georgian Marxists]]
[[Category:Georgian politicians]]
[[Category:Heroes of Socialist Labour]]
[[Category:Heroes of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Joseph Stalin]]
[[Category:Marshals of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Marxism–Leninism]]
[[Category:Marxist theorists]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Jubilee Medal "XX Years of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal "For the Defence of Moscow"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal "For the Victory over Japan"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal "In Commemoration of the 800th Anniversary of Moscow"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Lenin]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Suvorov]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Star of the
Bukharan PSR]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Victory]]
[[Category:Russian Marxists]]
[[Category:Targets of bourgeois media]]

Totalitarianism

2025-11-25T04:14:41Z

Mitzo: linked to the new "vibes based politics" page I created

{{Quote|The [[United States of America|foreign]] [[reactionary|reactionaries]] who accuse us of practicing "[[dictatorship]]" or "totalitarianism" are the very persons who practice it. They practice the [[dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|dictatorship or totalitarianism of one class]], the [[bourgeoisie]], over the [[proletariat]] and the rest of the people.|[[Mao Zedong]]|[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-4/mswv4_65.htm On the People's Democratic Dictatorship]|1949 June 30}}[[File:Polish totalitarian protest.png|thumb|A march in [[Republic of Poland|Poland]] labelling [[Marxism–Leninism]], [[National Socialism|Nazism]], and the [[LGBT+|LGBT+ movement]] all as examples of "totalitarianism."]]
In [[political science]], '''totalitarianism''' is a discredited and archaic concept as well as a meaningless buzzword which is widely used by [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]] propagandists to falsely equate distinct political [[Ideology|ideologies]] and actors (such as [[Marxism–Leninism]] and [[fascism]]) with one-another, thereby smearing them both. This confusion or, in some cases, deliberate obfuscation, emerges because [[Liberalism|liberals]] lack an actual [[Materialism|materialist]] analysis of how the world works and rely solely on [[Vibes based politics|vibes]], emphasising superficial similarities between the [[Far-left politics|far-left]] and the [[Far-right politics|far-right]] whilst failing to perceive their meaningful differences.

The term ''totalitarismo'' was coined by the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Italian]] politician ([[Italian Democratic Liberal Party|PLDI]]) [[Giovanni Amendola]] in May 1923 to describe [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)#Fascism|the Fascist regime]]. It was soon adopted by fascist ideologues like [[Benito Mussolini]], [[Giovanni Gentile]], and [[Carl Schmitt]] to describe their ideal [[state]]. Since then, this [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] belief has been built upon by bourgeois [[Imperial core|Western]] scholars such as [[Hannah Arendt]] and [[Zbigniew Brzeziński]], who opposed both fascism and [[communism]] (at least, in principle) and who upheld [[liberal democracy]] as the highest form of human [[society]]. Proponents of the "totalitarianism" myth, who often call themselves "moderates" and "democrats", conveniently ignore the inherent "[[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]]" excesses of their own systems, such as [[mass surveillance]], the [[prison–industrial complex]], and the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[War of aggression|wars of aggression]] that [[Capitalism|capitalist]] countries wage on a regular basis.

== History ==
In ''The Origins of Totalitarianism'', Hannah Arendt argued that [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Nazi]] and Communist governments were new forms of government and not merely updated versions of the old tyrannies. According to Arendt, the source of the mass appeal of totalitarian regimes is their [[ideology]] which provides a comforting and single answer to the mysteries of the past, present and future. For Nazism, all history is the history of race struggle and for Marxism–Leninism all history is the history of [[class struggle]]. Once that premise is accepted, all actions of the state can be justified by appeal to nature or the law of history, justifying their establishment of authoritarian state apparatus.<ref>{{citation|author=Villa, Dana Richard|year=2000|title=The Cambridge Companion to Hannah Arendt|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=2–3|isbn=9781139000314|doi=10.1017/CCOL0521641985}}</ref>

National Security Advisor for [[Jimmy Carter]] and Rockefeller-connected [[Zbigniew Brzezinski]] helped to introduce the concept of totalitarianism to university social science and professional research as a way to characterize and criticize the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] during the [[Cold War]].<ref name="Brzezinski & Friedrich 1956">{{Citation|isbn=9780674332607|author=Brzezinski, Zbigniew; Friedrich, Carl|year=1956|title=Totalitarian Dictatorship and Autocracy|publisher=Harvard University Press}}</ref>

[[Michael Parenti]] and James Petras have suggested that the totalitarianism concept has been politically employed and used for [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]] purposes. Parenti has also analysed how "[[Left-wing anticommunism|left anti-communism]]" attacked the Soviet Union during the Cold War.<ref>{{Citation|isbn=978-0872863293|author=Parenti, Michael|year=1997|title=Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism|city=San Francisco|publisher=City Lights Books|page=41–58}}</ref> For Petras, the [[CIA]] funded the [[Congress for Cultural Freedom]] in order to attack "Stalinist totalitarianism".<ref>{{Citation|author=James Petras|title=The CIA and the Cultural Cold War Revisited|publisher=Monthly Review|volume=51|issue=Issue 06|year=1999}}</ref> More recently, Enzo Traverso has attacked the creators of the concept of totalitarianism as having invented it to designate the enemies of the West.<ref>{{Citation|isbn=978-2020378574|author=Traverso, Enzo|year=2001|title=Totalitarianism: the twentieth century in debate|trans-lang=French|trans-title=Le Totalitarisme: Le XXe siècle en débat|publisher=Poche}}</ref> Historian [[Domenico Losurdo]] outlines that the horrors which supposedly equate Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are not without historical parallel. He further outlines that they had significantly differing policies on the treatment of Eastern European nations and that Nazi rhetoric struck a chord with Western [[Colonialism|colonial]] ideas. In fact, [[Republic of India|Indian]] leader [[Mohandas Gandhi|Gandhi]] remarked that [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] was a "great man" and that "in India we have Hitlerian rule, however disguised it may be in softer terms." The fact that the Soviet Union was the last to compromise and the political-historical conditions behind the [[Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Molotov-Ribbentrop pact]] must be remembered rather than using the historical event to invent such a false dichotomy.<ref>{{Citation|author=Losurdo, Domenico|year=2016|title='''Stalin and Hitler: Twin Brothers or Mortal Enemies''<nowiki/>'}}</ref>

== Definition ==
According to Arendt, features of totalitarianism include [[Autocracy|one-man rule]], a communications monopoly, and terroristic [[police]]. The United States fits all three of these characteristics: unilateral action by the [[President of the United States|President]] such as starting wars without approval from [[United States Congress|Congress]], state-controlled media (the [[Committee on Public Information]] during the [[First World War]]), and the [[Espionage Act]], which bans all criticism of the state.<ref>{{Web citation|date=2023-06-23|title=Towards a Critique of the Category of Totalitarianism|url=https://redsails.org/losurdo-on-totalitarianism/|newspaper=[[Red Sails]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623121339/https://redsails.org/losurdo-on-totalitarianism/|archive-date=2023-06-23|author=[[Domenico Losurdo]]}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Left-wing anticommunism]]

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Capitalist progaganda]]
[[Category:Reactionary slogans]]

Vibes based politics

2025-11-25T04:14:09Z

Mitzo: typo fixed

'''Vibes based politics''' is a common term used by [[Marxism|Marxists]] used to criticize [[Liberalism|liberals]], [[Anarchism|anarchists]], and other [[Idealism|idealist]] tendencies, pointing out their ideological roots or opinions being planted in feelings, ideas, and similarities between two concepts or actions rather than concrete material conditions.

=== Meaning of "Vibe" ===
The word "vibe" is a slang term for an atmosphere that can be sensed by someone, either good or bad<ref>{{Citation|author=Merriam-Webster|title=Webster's Dictionary|title-url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibe}}</ref>. It is similar to the term ''je ne sais quoi'' albeit referring to the atmosphere around something rather than an inherent characteristic.

=== Examples ===
Examples of vibes based politics include the concept of "[[totalitarianism]]," criticism of [[New Democracy (Mao's theory)|New Democracy]] for being "[[Class collaboration|class collaborationist]]," and dismissal of [[Actually Existing Socialism|AES]] states for [[LGBT rights and issues in AES countries|their stance on LGBT issues]].

Vibes based politics

2025-11-25T04:13:41Z

Mitzo: Created a page for this concept seeing as it's referenced in the article for totalitarianism

'''Vibes based politics''' is a common term used by [[Marxism|Marxists]] used to criticize [[Liberalism|liberals]], [[Anarchism|anarchists]], and other [[Idealism|idealist]] tendencies, pointing out their ideological roots or opinions being planted in feelings, ideas, and similarities between two concepts or actions rather than concrete material conditions.

=== Meaning of "Vibe" ===
The word "vibe" is a slang term for an atmosphere that can be sensed by someone, either good or bad<ref>{{Citation|author=Merriam-Webster|title=Webster's Dictionary|title-url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibe}}</ref>. It is similar to the term ''je ne sais quoi'' albeit referring to the atmosphere around something rather than an inherent characteristics.

=== Examples ===
Examples of vibes based politics include the concept of "[[totalitarianism]]," criticism of [[New Democracy (Mao's theory)|New Democracy]] for being "[[Class collaboration|class collaborationist]]," and dismissal of [[Actually Existing Socialism|AES]] states for [[LGBT rights and issues in AES countries|their stance on LGBT issues]].

LGBT+

2025-11-21T22:55:42Z

Mitzo: Added a clarification regarding the ongoing controversy over the idea of sex characteristics in modern biology

{{Message box/Incomplete}}[[File:Communist LGBTQ+ symbol.png|thumb|Proposed communist LGBT+ symbol representing cisgender and transgender in the classical hammer and sickle.]]
[[File:Proposed alternative to the communist LGBTQ+ symbol.png|thumb|Proposed alternative, in red background, to the communist LGBT+ symbol.]]
[[File:Soviet pride flag.png|thumb|A combination of the [[Flag of the Soviet Union|Soviet flag]] and the rainbow pride flag]]
[[File:Communist pride flag.png|thumb|Another communist pride flag]]
'''LGBT+''', also known by a varying number of letters (see below), is an acronym used to denote the various different types of people that belong to the queer community; that is, people who either do not identify as heterosexual, cisgender, or neither. This community encompasses a wide range of different sexualities, genders and identities, and many people in the community either take on multiple identities or have their identities change over time. The "LGBT" term originally only referred to those who were either gay, bisexual or transgender, but today the term is much broader, hence the "+" added to it. LGBT+ people tend to be stigmatized, discriminated, and [[Materialism|materially]] oppressed due to their sexual and gender identity and expressions, as a result of centuries-old—usually Western—conceptions of such people being predatory, deviant, unnatural, parasitic, mentally ill, "sinful," etc., despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that none of these things are inherent to them, and that LGBT+ behaviour is perfectly normal and does not otherwise alter anyone's normal personality. As such, LGBT+ people are often [[Revolution|revolutionary]] and stand in opposition to the status quo. The main symbol that identifies this community is the rainbow flag,<ref name=":0">https://www.ecured.cu/LGBTI</ref> although there are many different flags used to represent the different types of people within it. Inside some [[Communism|communist]] circles some other symbols can be used to represent the community, like the proposed symbol representing cisgender and transgender in the classical [[hammer and sickle]].

However, even though LGBT+ people suffer bigoted oppression by the [[bourgeoisie]] just as any minority group does, there is still a tendency to discriminate against/exclude them even amongst some communists. Some [[Communism|communists]]—particularly those in more socially conservative countries—may view LGBT+ identities in the traditionally bigoted ways, as well as the idea that LGBT+ behaviour is "bourgeois degeneracy" imposed on the [[proletariat]]. This idea comes from the misguided belief that LGBT+ people are somehow put at an advantage above cisgender-heterosexual people, and that therefore they are part of the privileged class. In reality, most bourgeoisie attempts to "normalise" the LGBT+ community boil down to pinkwashing, and are not genuine efforts to make society at large more accepting of these people.

== Acronym ==
Each term in the acronym refers to a specific group and the surrounding community. The acronym was originally created in the mid-1980s as simply "LGB", though by 1988 the term had evolved to "LGBT". Nowadays, the acronym is technically much longer, so much so that "alphabet soup" has become a tongue-in-cheek nickname for it. However, most people simply say it as "LGBT", "LGBTQ", or "LGBTQ+", for the sake of brevity.

The unofficial full acronym is '''2S/LGBTQQIAAP+'''

* '''Two-spirit:''' refers to LGBT+ indigenous people; usually those who are transgender.
* '''Lesbian:''' refers to women with a homosexual sexual orientation, i.e., exclusive to other women.
*'''Gay:''' generally refers to homosexual men, although "gay" is also often used to denote both homosexual men and women.
*'''Bisexual:''' refers to people who are attracted to both men and women.
*'''Transgender:''' refers to those who their ideas, feelings and desires do not correspond to their assigned gender at birth.
* '''Queer:''' catch-all term for anyone does not identify as heterosexual and/or cisgender.
* '''Questioning:''' someone currently in the process of questioning their sexuality or gender identity.
* '''Intersex:''' umbrella term for people with differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy, accounting for approximately 1.7% of births, with some estimates running higher or lower depending on a variety of factors.<ref>[https://ihra.org.au/16601/intersex-numbers/ “Intersex Population Figures – Intersex Human Rights Australia.”] 2013. Ihra.org.au. September 28, 2013. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230721110927/https://ihra.org.au/16601/intersex-numbers/ Archived] 2023-07-21.</ref> Some intersex traits are identified at birth, while others may not be discovered until puberty or later in life. There are many possible differences in genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy, or chromosomes. Intersex traits are natural human variations and are not inherently unhealthy or life-threatening, although they are sometimes associated with other medical symptoms. Intersex people are often subjected to non-consensual, medically unnecessary "normalizing" surgeries and treatments, especially as infants and children. Advocates of intersex rights recommend allowing intersex people to make their own medical choices at a later age, with many organizations considering such non-consensual treatments as violations of fundamental human rights, calling for the prohibition of medically unnecessary procedures on intersex children.<ref>[https://interactadvocates.org/faq/ “What Is Intersex? Frequently Asked Questions.”] 2023. InterACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth. June 29, 2023. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230701101406/https://interactadvocates.org/faq/ Archived] 2023-07-11.</ref><ref>[https://www.ohchr.org/en/2016/10/intersex-awareness-day-wednesday-26-october?LangID=E&NewsID=20739 “Intersex Awareness Day – Wednesday 26 October.”] OHCHR. 2016. [https://web.archive.org/web/20221005192448/https://www.ohchr.org/en/2016/10/intersex-awareness-day-wednesday-26-october?LangID=E&NewsID=20739 Archived] 2022-10-05.</ref><ref>[https://www.oiieurope.org/standing-up-for-the-human-rights-of-intersex-people-how-can-you-help/ “Standing up for the Human Rights of Intersex People – How Can You Help?”] OII Europe. February 16, 2016. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230708034826/https://www.oiieurope.org/standing-up-for-the-human-rights-of-intersex-people-how-can-you-help/ Archived] 2023-07-08.</ref> Some intersex people identify as LGBT+ while others do not. The intersex community often faces overlapping issues with the LGBT+ community, while also facing unique issues of their own. Advocates encourage the use of specific terms appropriate to each situation.<ref>[https://ihra.org.au/allies/ “Intersex for Allies – Intersex Human Rights Australia.”] 2012. Ihra.org.au. November 21, 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230601161721/https://ihra.org.au/allies/ Archived] 2023-06-01.</ref>
* '''Allies:''' heterosexual-cisgender people who support the community.
* '''Asexual:''' someone who does not experience sexual attraction to anyone. They may however still experience romantic attraction; if they don't, they are referred to as '''aromantic.'''
* '''Pansexual:''' someone who is attracted to anyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. Different from bisexuality, because while bisexual people tend to have certain genders they prefer over others, pansexuals do not have such preferences.
*'''et al. (+):''' encompasses all other identities in the LGBT+ community, mostly alternative gender identities such as '''non-binary, agender, genderqueer,''' etc.

How one identifies themselves in the LGBT+ community can change drastically over time, and many identifies often intersect with each other. For example, non-gender-conforming people usually also identify as transgender, or even gay/bi depending on their identity. Simply put, gender and sexuality are incredibly fluid, and hardly the rigid concepts that society generally makes them out to be.

== Common myths about homosexuality ==
=== Unnatural or perversion ===
This objection relies on an appeal to nature—a logical fallacy that assumes what is "natural" is inherently good or acceptable, while what is "unnatural" is not. The argument fails to provide a clear definition of what constitutes "natural," leading to inconsistencies and contradictions. If taken to its logical extreme, this reasoning would imply that behaviors such as adultery, infanticide, cannibalism, and public nudity are acceptable because they occur in nature, while activities like playing checkers, sleeping on beds, wearing clothes, or cooking meat are unacceptable because they are not "natural." However, those who advance such arguments typically do not advocate for laws against sleeping on beds or wearing clothing, nor do they reject the use of computers, despite these being equally "unnatural" by the same logic.

Furthermore, even if one were to accept the premise that what is natural is inherently good, scientific evidence demonstrates that homosexual behavior is indeed natural. Biologists have documented same-sex behavior in over 500 species, with observations extending to approximately 1,500 species in total. For example, bonobos, a species closely related to humans, are known for engaging in a wide range of sexual behaviors, including same-sex interactions. Such behaviors are not limited to mammals; they have been observed across a diverse array of animal species, challenging the notion that homosexuality is "unnatural."

The term "perversion" is often used as a variation of the "it's not natural" argument, frequently accompanied by bigotry. This characterization implies that homosexuality is a mental disorder or disability, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such a claim. Defining homosexuality as a disability constitutes an argument from definition fallacy, as the standard definition of disability does not encompass sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, being LGBTQ+ does not inherently impair an individual’s ability to function in society. Drawing a parallel between sexuality and disability is also a false equivalence, as it inaccurately associates two unrelated concepts and may reinforce harmful stereotypes about disabled individuals.

=== Religious arguments ===
Religious arguments against homosexuality often rely on the assumption that divine authority condemns same-sex relationships. This raises the question of why individuals who do not adhere to a particular religious belief should be subject to its moral prescriptions. Some arguments presuppose that all morality and existence are contingent upon the deity of a specific religion, while others assert that religious freedom does not extend to certain groups or that the separation of church and state is not absolute.

In [[Christianity|Christian]] discourse, it is commonly claimed that God condemns homosexuality. However, there is no record of [[Jesus]] addressing the subject directly. Instead, the teachings attributed to Jesus emphasize criticisms of hypocrisy and the misuse of religious or political power for personal gain. While scriptural interpretations vary among religious practitioners, arguments based on religious doctrine hold little relevance for those who read scripture in a more inclusive manner, adhere to different religious traditions, or do not subscribe to religious belief. Additionally, legal frameworks that uphold the separation of church and state do not enforce religious doctrines as law.

Biblical condemnations of homosexuality originate primarily from the Old Testament, particularly the book of Leviticus, which also contains various other prohibitions, such as dietary restrictions<ref>{{Citation|title=The Bible|title-url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2011%3A10&version=NIV|chapter=Leviticus|section=11:10|quote=But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to regard as unclean.}}</ref> and prohibitions against wearing garments made from mixed fabrics.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Bible|title-url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2019%3A19&version=NIV|chapter=Leviticus|section=19:19|quote=“‘Keep my decrees.

“‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.

“‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.

“‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.}}</ref> Further references to homosexuality appear in the writings of later Christian figures such as the Apostle Paul. In [[Roman Empire (27 BCE–395 CE)|ancient Rome]], opposition to same-sex relationships and marriages existed before the spread of Christianity. Some historians suggest that early Christians may have adopted or reinforced these attitudes to align with prevailing Roman social norms.

The Old Testament attributes the downfall of certain ancient civilizations to homosexuality. However, historical evidence supporting this claim remains unverified.

=== Definition of marriage ===
Opponents of same-sex marriage often argue that marriage is an ancient institution traditionally defined as a union between a man and a woman. Historically, marriage has taken various forms, including polygamy, forced marriage, child marriage, and restrictions against interracial and interfaith unions. Furthermore, the Old Testament, which many religious conservatives cite in opposition to same-sex marriage, presents polygamy as a common model of marriage rather than exclusively endorsing monogamous heterosexual unions.

Some critics argue that extramarital sexual relationships are considered sinful within many religious traditions. As a result, if same-sex marriage is not legally or religiously recognized, all same-sex sexual activity would, by definition, be classified as sinful under these frameworks.

Another argument against same-sex marriage is that it undermines the sanctity of heterosexual marriage. However, the concept of marital sanctity is generally compromised by infidelity, rather than by the existence of legally recognized same-sex unions. Some opponents employ false analogies, such as comparing same-sex marriage recognition to the circulation of counterfeit currency, to argue that it devalues traditional marriage.

Nevertheless, various cultural and legal developments have altered marriage without involvement from same-sex couples. These include the legalization of divorce, cohabitation without marriage, the decriminalization of adultery, and the commercialization of marriage through quick ceremonies, themed weddings, and reality television shows centered on marriage. Despite these changes, criticism of marriage's perceived decline is often directed at same-sex couples seeking the right to marry rather than at these longstanding societal shifts.

=== Not reproductive ===
The majority of sexual encounters, including those within heterosexual marriages, are non-reproductive. Various factors contribute to this, including the use of barrier methods and hormonal contraception, fertility awareness practices, non-penetrative sexual activity, and instances where one or both partners are infertile due to age, medical conditions, or sterilization. Despite this, arguments against same-sex marriage based on the premise that marriage is intended for procreation are inconsistently applied, as infertile heterosexual couples are not subject to the same restrictions.

Same-sex couples also contribute to society by adopting children, which can be considered a humanitarian act, as it provides homes for children in need. There is no legal or ethical requirement that marriage must result in biological reproduction, and societal attitudes toward procreation continue to evolve, with growing movements advocating for childfree lifestyles and questioning the traditional emphasis on reproduction. Furthermore, global population growth remains a relevant concern, raising the question of whether increased reproductive activity is necessary.

Additionally, same-sex couples can have biological children through assisted reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and surrogacy. Some individuals who later identify as homosexual may also have biological children from prior heterosexual relationships before coming out. These realities challenge the notion that marriage must be exclusively tied to natural procreation.

=== Homosexuality and choice ===
Opponents of LGBTQ+ rights often argue that homosexuality is a choice, commonly referring to the concept of a "gay lifestyle." However, scientific research and psychological studies indicate that sexual orientation is not a matter of conscious choice for most individuals. While bisexual individuals may have the capacity to form relationships with either men or women, choosing to engage in a heterosexual relationship does not alter their underlying bisexual orientation.

The relevance of whether homosexuality is a choice is also debated. Societies do not typically prohibit behaviors solely on the basis that they are choices rather than innate traits. Furthermore, the argument that homosexuality is wrong because it is a choice implies that it would be acceptable if it were not, contradicting substantial evidence suggesting that sexual orientation is not voluntarily determined. Critics also point out the inconsistency in this argument, as those who claim that homosexuality is a choice often advocate for religious beliefs that require conscious adherence and lifestyle changes, yet do not subject these choices to similar scrutiny.

Additionally, the assertion that people choose to be gay overlooks the social and legal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including discrimination and harassment. Given the increased risk of social stigma and mistreatment, it is unlikely that individuals would choose a sexual orientation that exposes them to such adversities.

=== Sexually transmitted infections ===
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a higher risk for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), most notably HIV. This increased risk is primarily due to the higher transmission rate of HIV and other infections through anal intercourse, which is estimated to be 18 times greater than that of vaginal intercourse. In some cases, these infections have been transmitted to heterosexual partners.

While STIs are a significant public health concern, the majority of gay men are not infected, and many take preventive measures similar to those practiced by heterosexual individuals. The prevalence of STIs is not exclusive to homosexuality, and some infections, such as genital herpes, may not be significantly more common among MSM than among other populations.

Some researchers argue that homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ bias can contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections. According to Warren J. Blumenthal, societal stigma may pressure young people to engage in heterosexual behavior prematurely in an attempt to conform, thereby increasing risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights has historically impeded the development of comprehensive sexual education programs, which could otherwise help prevent the spread of STIs.<ref>{{Citation|author=Warren J. Blumenthal|year=1992|title=Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price|quote=Anti-gay bias causes young people to engage in sexual behavior earlier in order to prove that they are straight. Anti-gay bias contributed significantly to the spread of the AIDS epidemic. Anti-gay bias prevents the ability of schools to create effective honest sexual education programs that would save children's lives and prevent STDs.|publisher=Beacon Press|isbn=0807079197}}</ref>

HIV transmission rates also vary among different demographics within the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, transmission through lesbian sexual intercourse is rare. This highlights the inconsistency in arguments suggesting that the risk of HIV should serve as a basis for restricting legal recognition of same-sex relationships, as such reasoning would not logically support only permitting same-sex marriages between women.

=== Homosexual erasure ===
Some organizations and governments deny the existence of homosexuality, instead framing it as a temporary phase, a means of sexual gratification, or simply a form of bisexuality rather than a genuine lack of attraction to the opposite sex. Various arguments have been put forward to support these claims, though they are often based on misconceptions and flawed reasoning. These arguments, while still propagated in certain circles, are widely contradicted by scientific research and psychological studies that affirm the validity of homosexuality as a natural and distinct sexual orientation.

==== Homosexual men enjoy friendships with women, suggesting latent heterosexual attraction ====
This argument has been presented by organizations such as [[Answers in Genesis]] and is based on the assumption that friendships between men and women indicate repressed sexual attraction. However, this reasoning is inconsistent, as most heterosexual men also form close friendships with other men without implying hidden same-sex attraction.

==== All homosexuals experience some degree of opposite-sex attraction ====
This claim has been promoted by individuals associated with [[conversion therapy]], which seeks to change sexual orientation. However, such conclusions are often subject to confirmation bias, as they primarily focus on individuals who seek therapy due to societal pressure or personal distress. Past heterosexual relationships do not necessarily indicate genuine heterosexual orientation, just as trying a particular food does not make it a person's favorite. Furthermore, any opposite-sex attraction reported by homosexual individuals is generally minimal and comparable to the faint same-sex attraction that some heterosexual individuals may experience. Many homosexual individuals describe attraction to the opposite sex as neutral or even unnatural, sometimes likening the experience to forced relationships.

==== Homosexual men are simply avoiding the effort required to pursue women ====
This argument relies on gender stereotypes, assuming that men are inherently promiscuous while women are selective and difficult to pursue. It suggests that homosexuality is a way for men to bypass the supposed challenges of heterosexual relationships. However, this claim disregards the complexity of sexual orientation and falsely implies that same-sex relationships require less emotional and social effort than heterosexual ones.

==== Homosexuality is inconceivable because men should naturally be attracted to women ====
Some individuals argue against the existence of homosexuality by expressing personal disbelief that men could be attracted to other men rather than to women. However, this argument is rooted in a subjective heterosexual perspective and does not constitute an objective basis for denying the existence of same-sex attraction. A similar argument could be made against heterosexuality by reversing the perspective, illustrating the logical flaw in this reasoning.

== Common myths about transgender people ==
[[File:Trans communist logo.png|thumb|LGBT+ communist logo from above with the colors of the trans pride flag]]
[[File:Trans Soviet flag.png|thumb|Transgender Soviet flag]]
Transphobia remains disturbingly common, and it is typically "justified" with various lies and slanders about trans people. In order to combat this bigotry, it is necessary to provide solid and easily understandable rebuttals to these common myths. All sources will be listed at the end of the post, if anyone would like to read in more depth.

=== Idealist ===
This argument, often professed by self described "Marxists" stems from a rugged [[Metaphysical Materialism|metaphysical materialist]] understanding of trans existence. It argues that being transgender is inherently [[Idealism|idealist]] as it is not based in the material understanding of human development. This is false, though may spark affirmation by people new to [[Marxism|Marxist theory]] as it is seemingly a correct observation. However as Marxists we must understand the world not from a metaphysical, but a dialectical perspective. Using the method of dialectical materialism we can effectively analyse the process in which a person commits a change in gender, it spawns first, as in all phenomena, with a [[contradiction]]. The specifics of this contradiction differs from person to person, in which [[gender dysphoria]] can, though is not necessarily a part of the contradiction. An example may be, that there is an antagonistic contradiction between the persons view of themselves psychologically, and their physical body. In this there also spawns a contradiction to societal gender roles. As ideas and thoughts may be transformed into material reality by way of practice, it is philosophically speaking indeed possible to change ones gender. There are many factors contributing to ones role in society, this may include external or quantitive changes such as clothes and or makeup. However also qualitative changes by way of modern medicine, we can change many of our secondary sexual characteristics (fat distribution, hair growth, bone growth and so on) completely and indeed also ones primary sexual characteristics (genitalia, chromosomes<ref group="lower-alpha">The idea of sex characteristics itself has been called into question due to further study of biology</ref>). Within these stated examples the contemporary superstructure views our second sexual characteristics as determinant in our social standing and thereby influences and changes our material standing. Therefore, it is only correct to say that a person undergoing a transition of gender eventually becomes their desired gender materially.

=== Dangerous ===
Perhaps the most common and pernicious myth spread about trans people is that they are somehow dangerous. This was the main line of argument behind the so-called "bathroom bills" in the United States, and it still sits at the root of much transphobic bigotry in countries like the US and UK. Trans women typically bear the brunt of this particular slander, with the claim being that they are supposedly just men lying about their gender identity in order to commit crimes.

The primary source for this claim is typically a study from the Swedish Karolinska Institute, which (supposedly) found that transgender women "retain male-pattern violence." This is (unsurprisingly) nonsense, and the lead author of the study (Dr. Cecilia Djehne) has denounced this interpretation of it. In an interview for ''TransAdvocate'', Djehne stated that those "making claims about trans criminality, specifically rape likelihood, [are] misrepresenting the study's findings... we were certainly not saying that we found that trans women were a rape risk."

So, what exactly ''was'' the study saying? Well, while trans women studied from 1973 to 1988 ''did'' demonstrate a "male pattern of criminality," Djehne states that this pattern was ''not'' present in trans women studied from 1989 to 2003. She makes this quite clear in the interview, where she says "for the 1989 to 2003 group, we did not find a male pattern of criminality." She attributes this change over time to differences in trans healthcare and social stigma:<blockquote>What the data tells us is that things are getting measurably better and the issues we found affecting the 1973 to 1988 cohort group likely reflects a time when trans health and psychological care was less effective and social stigma was far worse.</blockquote>In other words, the study was demonstrating that when trans women are given access to proper gender-affirming treatment and reduced social stigma, they ''don't'' retain a "male pattern of criminality." Transphobes have literally flipped the study's findings upside-down, in an attempt to justify their irrational fear and hatred of transgender people. Keep this study tucked in the back of your mind, by the way; it comes up again later.

Clearly, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the idea that transgender people pose a violent crime risk; if anything, it is far more likely that they will be the ''victims'' of violence. Let's look at public restrooms again; according to a report from the UCLA School of Law, 68% of trans people reported experiencing at least one instance of verbal harassment in gender-segregated public restrooms, while 9% had been physically assaulted at least once in gendered bathrooms. Our priority should be protecting transgender people from bigoted harassment and violence, ''not'' "protecting" bigots from transgender people.

=== Gender Affirming Treatment ===
Another common claim made by transphobes is that gender-affirming treatment (hormones, surgery and the like) does not work, and may even ''increase'' the risk of suicide among people with dysphoria. The primary source for this claim is the Karolinska study, which was cited as providing "the most illuminating results yet" by former Johns Hopkins psychiatrist (and religious anti-LGBT activist) Dr. Paul McHugh.

So, what does the Karolinska study ''actually'' say? Well, it ''did'' report that post-transition trans people had a higher suicide rate than the general population; however, it clearly states that "the results should not be interpreted such as sex reassignment per se increases morbidity and mortality. Things might have been even worse without sex reassignment." For further clarification, we can once again turn to lead author Cecilia Djehne's interview with ''TransAdvocate'', where she says the following:<blockquote>Medical transition alone won’t resolve the effects of crushing social oppression: social anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. What we’ve found is that treatment models which ignore the effect of cultural oppression and outright hate aren’t enough. We need to understand that our treatment models must be responsive to not only gender dysphoria, but the effects of anti-trans hate as well. That’s what improved care means... People who misuse the study always omit the fact that the study clearly states that it is not an evaluation of gender dysphoria treatment.</blockquote>In other words, trans people who receive gender-affirming treatment continue to be a high risk for suicide due to ''external social oppression,'' not because the treatment doesn't work. Later in the interview, Djehne gives her ''actual'' view on gender-affirming treatment:<blockquote>Of course trans medical and psychological care is efficacious... If we look at the literature, we find that several recent studies conclude that WPATH Standards of Care compliant treatment decrease gender dysphoria and improves mental health.</blockquote>The links contained in the above quote are to studies which demonstrate the positive impact of gender-affirming treatment, which we will now assess in more detail. However, before we dive in, it should be noted that some of these studies use the term "gender identity disorder" to refer to dysphoria; this term is generally no longer used, as it is considered stigmatizing. With that said, let's get clinical.

First up, we have a 2014 study in the ''Journal of Sexual Medicine'', which found that "A marked reduction in psychopathology occurs during the process of sex reassignment therapy, especially after the initiation of hormone therapy." That's rather self-explanatory, I think.

Secondly, we've got a 2009 paper in the ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'', which looked at a group of Swedish adults with gender dysphoria "after 5 or more years in the process [of transitioning] or 2 or more years after completed sex reassignment surgery." The researchers found that "almost all patients were satisfied with the sex reassignment; 86% were assessed by clinicians at follow-up as stable or improved in global functioning."

Next up, there's a 2010 meta-analysis from the Mayo Clinic, published in the journal ''Clinical Endocrinology'', which looked at various studies discussing hormonal therapy and sex reassignment. The results were as follows:<blockquote>Pooling across studies shows that after sex reassignment, 80% of individuals with GID reported significant improvement in gender dysphoria; 78% reported significant improvement in psychological symptoms; 80% reported significant improvement in quality of life; and 72% reported significant improvement in sexual function... sex reassignment that includes hormonal interventions in individuals with GID likely improves gender dysphoria, psychological functioning and comorbidities, sexual function and overall quality of life.</blockquote>Moving on, we've got a 2015 study from the ''Archives of Sexual Behavior''. According to the authors, the aim of this study was "to re-examine individuals with [gender dysphoria] after as long a period of time as possible. To meet the inclusion criterion, the legal recognition of participants’ gender change via a legal name change had to date back at least 10 years." In other words, these were all people who had begun the process of changing their gender at least a decade prior to the study. The results were as follows:<blockquote>[Participants'] overall evaluation of the treatment process for sex reassignment and its effectiveness in reducing gender dysphoria was positive. Regarding the results of the standardized questionnaires, participants showed significantly fewer psychological problems and interpersonal difficulties as well as a strongly increased life satisfaction at follow-up than at the time of the initial consultation.</blockquote>In short, there is an enormous amount of evidence for the efficacy of gender-affirming treatment, and it should be made more widely available to those who need it. Treatment should also take into account the effects of social oppression, and work to resolve them.

=== Regret after transitioning ===
This is another very common claim. Simply googling the phrase "trans regret" will result in an immediate deluge of articles from conservative news sites, claiming to have ''hundreds'' of stories by regretful trans people, who wish they had never transitioned.

In reality, such people are extraordinarily rare. A 2018 study in the ''Journal of Sexual Medicine'' reviewed all the patient files of a gender identity clinic in Amsterdam from the years 1972-2015. They found that "Only 0.6% of transwomen and 0.3% of transmen who underwent gonadectomy were identified as experiencing regret." This is an extremely small percentage, and when taken alongside the earlier cited studies on the efficacy of gender-affirming treatment, it indicates that the vast majority of trans people are satisfied with their transition.

Of course, the Netherlands is a more progressive country than the United States or Britain, and so it could be the case that trans people in the latter two countries would experience a higher rate of regret due to harassment and social stigma. However, this would say nothing whatsoever about the efficacy of gender-affirming treatment; rather, it would be a comment on the damaging effects of transphobia.

=== Conclusion ===
The propaganda spread by transphobes has no basis in reality, and ought to be cast aside as the despicable crock of nonsense that it is. Transgender people are ''not'' dangerous, gender-affirming treatment ''does'' work, and most people do ''not'' regret transitioning. It's time we move past these damaging and bigoted notions, and create a society where all people can live freely.

== LGBT+ by country ==

=== Socialist countries ===
{{Main article|LGBT rights and issues in AES countries}}

==== China ====
[[File:National Survey Results about LGBT descrimination in China, BMC Public Health 2020.png|thumb|Chinese survey on attitudes towards LGBT+ people by province]]
[[Taiwan|Taiwan province]] was the first region in [[People's Republic of China|China]], and all of Asia, to legalise the modern form of same-sex marriage. Such unions have been recognized across the continent in various guises for centuries. Southern China, in particular, was known for a widespread acceptance of homosexual relationships. Shen Defu, a Chinese writer during the [[Ming dynasty (1368–1644)|Ming dynasty]], wrote that it was common for men of all [[Social class|social classes]] in Fujian province to take male lovers. These forms of gay “marriage” were prevalent enough in Fujian that there was even a patron deity of homosexuality, the rabbit. In the early modern period, marriages between two people of the same assigned sex but who identified as different genders, were fairly normal in many parts of Southeast Asia, we know this primarily from the records Europeans kept when they landed on Asian shores.

When Europeans first encountered Chinese society, they were shocked and repulsed about one aspect of Chinese society: the “abominable vice of sodomy”. Later, the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity began to be eroded through the introduction of world [[Religion|religions]] (particularly Christianity), modernity, and [[colonialism]]. After the Chinese were defeated by [[West|Western]] and [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japanese]] [[Imperialism|imperialists]], many Chinese "progressives" in the early 20th century sought to modernise China, which meant adopting “modern” Western ideas of dress, relationships, science and sexuality. It also meant importing European scientific understandings of homosexuality as an inverted or perverted pathology. These “scientific ideas” were debunked in the 1960s in the West, but lived on in China, frozen in time, and have only recently begun to thaw with the rise of LGBT+ activists in Asia.<ref>https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3011750/china-embraced-gay-marriage-long-taiwans-law-west-perverted</ref>

In recent years, China has become more progressive in the realm of transgender rights.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Serena Sojic-Borne|date=2022-03-02|title=Transgender rights: China advances while U.S. backslides|url=https://www.fightbacknews.org/2022/3/2/transgender-rights-china-advances-while-us-backslides|newspaper=[[Fight Back News]]}}</ref>

==== Cuba ====
<blockquote>''"We must remember so that it will never happen again."'' – Mariela Castro, Director of the Cuban Center for Sex Education (CENESEX)</blockquote>
[[File:The Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia, part of the awareness campaign organized by CENESEX.png|thumb|LGBT pride poster in Cuba saying "I am part of the revolution, I am [[Fidel Castro|Fidel]] too."]]
It would be intellectually dishonest to pretend that [[Republic of Cuba|Cuba]] was always a socially progressive society. In the early years after the Revolution, in a time when many other countries were dealing with typical homophobic and transphobic ideas, and later, poorly thought-out attempts at containing the AIDS crisis (the US government mired in homophobia refused to even acknowledge the existence of the virus until over 10,000 had died; [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/15/stigma-hiv-nhs-ban-ended-fear while in Britain under Thatcher hostile police raided gay clubs]), the island nation was not an exception to this rule of backwardness in social issues. However, this is also a fact that Cuban people and the Cuban government acknowledge as a fault and something that the [[Communist Party of Cuba]] (PCC) has fought hard to overcome. In the past, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11147157 Fidel Castro made a public apology for the poor treatment of LGBT+ people in the country's history]. It is rare to see a leader take full personal responsibility for a wrong committed against its people, and even rarer to hear a promise to do better; but the PCC is fully committed to LGBT+ rights and to improving the situation of some of its most marginalized citizens, and their past wrongs are always present in the contemporary dialogue.

This sort of attitude toward promoting social progress is almost nonexistent among governments and officials in many countries across the globe. Amnesia to history comes up often as a response to the complaints of the oppressed. Those with legitimate political demands are expected to sit down and remain silent, as they lack the ability to hold their governments accountable. However, this is not the case in Cuba, where the push for change is done not because there were too many complaints and too much noise and thus the state wanted to restore order; change comes because not only is it the right thing to do, but because the success of the revolution depends on the support of all people – which includes the most marginalised who live on the frontlines of that revolution every day.

Part of what Cuba does to ensure the success of its revolution is for officials to meet its citizens in their own environment and to see the issues that are important to them so that they can begin to work on solving them, especially for the most marginalised. This can be seen in the many photos of Fidel playing sports with average Cuban people and going out to generally interact with them regularly – not simply for a photo op, but because the only way to effectively lead is to know about the concerns of the people. The same can be said of Mariela Castro, Director of CENESEX and a member of Cuba's Parliament, [https://socialistaction.org/2017/02/01/mariela-castros-lgbt-revolution/ who has spent a great deal of time getting to know members of the LGBT+ community in Cuba and championing their needs] through not only legal channels, but material ones, as well. This has manifested in increased protections for LGBT+ Cuban people in labor laws and the Constitution. Simultaneously, this has also helped to change popular perceptions of LGBT+, and especially trans, Cuban people for the better. Coupled with the push against machismo and gender inequality, along with racism, Cuba attacks bigotry on all fronts. There is even [http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2018-05-14/11th-cuban-day-against-homophobia-and-transphobia a Gala Against Homophobia and Transphobia] that is held yearly on the eponymous day as a recognition for the need to improve material conditions for LGBT+ Cubans. While an event such as this may seem performative, it is part of a larger push to end inequality and marginalisation that can persist both materially and ideologically.

Ultimately, though, what Cuba does for trans people goes beyond legal protections and changing hearts and minds. It attacks the issue of inequality at the root – through material support. This of course can become complicated due to lack of supplies and resources as a result of the suffocating blockade placed on Cuba by the US, which makes trade very limited, even with countries that Cuba should be allowed to trade with happily. But that does not stop Cuba from ensuring all citizens regardless of background have somewhere to live with public, state-subsidised utilities, food and water, access to education up to postgraduate level (nearly 100% of Cubans are literate), and high-quality universal public healthcare with some of the best doctors in the world. To put it in capitalist jargon, Cuba invests in its human capital – it creates conditions favorable to social and political development of its people so that they are educated, skilled, and have their basic needs taken care of.

For trans people in Cuba, however, this means that [https://www.hhrjournal.org/2018/11/transsexuals-right-to-health-a-cuban-case-study/ <nowiki>gender confirmation surgeries (GCS) [more commonly known as sex reassignment surgeries (SRS)] are available for trans Cuban people who desire it, free of charge, as of 2008, making it the first Latin American country to do so</nowiki>]. GCS includes not only what is known as bottom surgeries (vagino- or phalloplasty, among others) but also top surgeries (mastectomy or augmentation mammoplasty, among others) and numerous other surgeries that allow trans people to feel more like themselves. These procedures can be life-saving for many trans people, and Cuba recognizes this as a material way to help this marginalised group of people live more dignified lives. This comes, in turn, not only as a result of the efforts of the Communist Party to ensure its people have the best medical care possible, but also through a fundamental understanding of what is required to make the revolution successful.

==== Soviet Union ====
Homosexual activity was originally decriminalised in the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] in 1917 as part of the repeal of the [[Russian Empire (1721–1917)|Tsarist]] Penal Code. However, homosexuality remained a crime outside of Russia and Ukraine.<ref>{{Citation|author=Dan Healey|year=2001|title="Masculine Purity and 'Gentlemen's Mischief': Sexual Exchange and Prostitution between Russian Men|publisher=Slavic Review|doi=10.2307/2697270}}</ref>

Critics of the Soviet Union often lambaste Stalin for having recriminalised sodomy in 1933. Although same-sex sexual activity between men was recriminalised throughout the entire Soviet Union in 1933, several [[Soviet Republics]] implemented their own sodomy laws throughout the 1920s, such as [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Azerbaijan]] and the Central Asian republics. Acceptance of homosexuality throughout the Soviet Republics was rare, especially in regions dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church or influenced by [[Islam]]. Religion played a role in the wording of the law, confusing male homosexuality with pederasty. However, there were no criminal statutes regarding sex between women.

[[Georgy Chicherin]] served as the first [[People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union]]. Chicherin went to [[Weimar Germany]] to seek treatment for his homosexuality. In spite of this revelation, Stalin was a great admirer of Chicherin, and Chicherin continued to serve in his post until 1930 when he was replaced as he had become too ill, suffering from terminal illness. Chicherin died in 1936, having never been subject to punishment despite being openly gay.

An article published by a medical expert, Sereisky in the [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]] in the 1930 stated:

{{Quote|Soviet legislation does not recognise so-called crimes against morality. Our laws proceed from the principle of protection of society and therefore countenance punishment only in those instances when juveniles and minors are the objects of homosexual interest ... while recognizing the incorrectness of homosexual development ... our society combines prophylactic and other therapeutic measures with all the necessary conditions for making the conflicts that afflict homosexuals as painless as possible and for resolving their typical estrangement from society within the collective|Sereisky|The Great Soviet Encyclopedia|1930, p. 593}}

Same-sex sexual activity amongst men remained illegal in the Soviet Union up to its dissolution. In some former republics homosexual activity remains illegal to this day. Although countries of the [[Warsaw Pact]] were under Soviet influence, they had the freedom to decide their laws. The [[German Democratic Republic]], for example, was much more progressive than the Soviet Union (and even the West) in terms of LGBT+ rights.

=== Capitalist countries ===

==== United Kingdom ====
The United Kingdom has historically been hostile to same-sex relationships. Before the formation of the United Kingdom, the ecclesiastical courts of its pre-existing sovereign states such as [[England]] dealt with matters concerning homosexuality. The first law touching on same-sex relations to be promulgated was the Buggery Act 1533 that made the act of buggery (therein defined as unnatural sex that goes against God's will) punishable by death. This act was superseded by the Offences Against the Person Act 1828; however, the death penalty remained in force until the introduction of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. James Pratt and John Smith were the last people to be executed for the crime of sodomy in England, as well as the entire United Kingdom.

Sodomy remained illegal until the Sexual Offences Act 1967 was introduced, over 100 years after the previous law that rescinded capital punishment for homosexuality. In spite of this, however, the legacy of British colonialism meant that homosexuality remained illegal in many of the [[British Empire's]] territories. Many former territories to this date punish sodomy, and some jurisdictions such as Victoria, [[Australia]] retained the death penalty for sodomy as late as 1949. Some of these territories had never punished homosexuality until colonial interference. Prominent people persecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 1967 include socialist [[Oscar Wilde]] as well as mathematician and logician [[Alan Turing]], whose eventual suicide rekindled the debate on homosexuality legalisation. As the law targeted sodomy primarily, female same-sex sexual activity was technically legal. As a result, many gay men resorted to other forms of communication, such as [[Polari]], in order to evade persecution.

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 legalised same-sex sexual activity in England only. The legalisation of same-sex sexual activity in other constituent countries occurred later, with [[Scotland]] in 1981 and in [[Occupied Ireland]] in 1982, making them among some of the last countries to do so in Europe. The Age of Consent remained unequalised and at 21 (in comparison to 16 for heterosexual same-sex activity) until the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, [[Margaret Thatcher]], castigated homosexuality during her tenure. The topic of homosexuality remained taboo even well into the 21st century.

The United Kingdom legalised civil partnerships in 2005. Same-sex marriage was legalised in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014; however, the far-right [[Democratic Unionist Party|DUP]] in [[Occupied Ireland]] was vocally resistant and delayed the implementation of equal marriage until 2020 in Occupied Ireland. Although the population of the United Kingdom is mostly accepting of homosexuality, the government has approved of the overseas territory of [[Bermuda]] briefly revoking the same-sex marriage law.

Transphobia remains a major issue in the United Kingdom. [[TERFs]] often harass and attempt to prevent funding to charities that seek to help transgender people. The phenomenon is tragically rampant amongst the British Left just as much as the Right, with the [[Communist Party of Britain (Marxist–Leninist)|Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist)]], [[Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist)]] and the [[Communist Party of Britain]] adopting party lines that are incompatible with the well-being of transgender comrades.

==== United States ====
In 1953, Executive Order 10450 was passed, leading thousands of LGBT+ people to be fired from their jobs for being supposed communist sympathizers.<ref>{{Citation|author=David K. Johnson|year=2004|title=Interview with David K. Johnson|publisher=University of Chicago|title-url=https://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/404811in.html}}</ref> The LGBT community has rebelled against the U.S. state multiple times, including in [[Compton's Cafeteria rebellion|Tenderloin]], San Francisco in 1966<ref>{{Web citation|author=Morgan Artyukhina|newspaper=[[Liberation School]]|title=Before Stonewall: The LGBTQ movement behind Compton’s Cafeteria riot|date=2021-08-03|url=https://www.liberationschool.org/compton-cafeteria-riot/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628232445/https://www.liberationschool.org/compton-cafeteria-riot/|archive-date=2022-06-28|retrieved=2022-11-27}}</ref> and [[Stonewall rebellion|Stonewall]], [[New York City|New York]] in 1969.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Preston Wood|newspaper=[[Liberation School]]|title=The 1969 Stonewall rebellion and lessons for today|date=2005-06-01|url=https://www.liberationschool.org/05-06-01-the-1969-stonewall-rebellion-les-html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922131546/https://liberationschool.org/05-06-01-the-1969-stonewall-rebellion-les-html/|archive-date=2020-09-22|retrieved=2022-08-28}}</ref>

As of 2019, LGB people are 125% more likely to be arrested than straight people. Lesbian and bi women are four times as likely as straight women to be arrested, and gay and bi men are 35% more likely to be arrested than straight men. 44% of trans, non-binary, and two-spirit people were denied access to hormones in [[prison]].<ref>{{Web citation|author=Mirinda Crissman|newspaper=[[Workers World]]|title=Overrepresented in prisons: LGBTQ2S+ people|date=2023-05-26|url=https://www.workers.org/2023/05/71188/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527013851/https://www.workers.org/2023/05/71188/|archive-date=2023-05-27}}</ref>

== Reactionary currents in the LGBT+ ==

=== Bisexual erasure ===
There is a subsect of the LGBT+ community which believes in and promotes rhetoric which seeks to erase bisexuality or diminish it, this may include but is not limited to:
* The notion that bisexuals are inherently more promiscuous due to their sexuality
* The notion bisexuality is just a 'phase' and that bisexuals will 'grow out of it'
* The notion that bisexuality is simply a state of denial experienced by gay men<ref>{{Citation|author=Loraine Hutchins|year=2007|title=Sexual Prejudice The erasure of bisexuals in academia and the media|title-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216065035/http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/MagArticle.cfm?Article=475&PageID=0|publisher=American Sexuality Magazine}}</ref>

=== Trans erasure ===
There is a subsect of the LGBT+ community that seeks to erase and/or diminish trans identity, this often includes the promotion of [[transmedicalism]] or outright denial of trans identity being real at all.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Allison Newey|newspaper=European Student Think Tank|title=LGB without the T?: The dangerous rise of transphobia, TERFism, and anti-transgender rhetoric across the United Kingdom|date=2024-5-20|url=https://esthinktank.com/2024/05/20/lgb-without-the-t-the-dangerous-rise-of-transphobia-terfism-and-anti-transgender-rhetoric-across-the-united-kingdom/#:~:text=This%20movement%20showcases%20how%20transphobia,its%20implications%20for%20human%20rights.}}</ref>

=== A-spec erasure ===
There is a subsect of the LGBT+ community which seeks to erase and/or diminish Asexual, Aromantic and/or Agender identity, they often promote ideas such as 'everyone prospering in romantic relationships' the non-existence of a divide between sexuality and romanticism, or the idea of a universal experience of gender.

== Further Reading ==

[https://lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/LGBTQIA%2B_Wiki LGBTQIA+ Wiki]

== References ==

* https://www.ecured.cu/LGBTI
* https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3011750/china-embraced-gay-marriage-long-taiwans-law-west-perverted
* Trans Advocate | Interview with Dr. Cecilia Djehne
* UCLA School of Law | Gendered Restrooms and Minority Stress
* Journal of Sexual Medicine | Effects of Different Steps in Gender Reassignment Therapy on Psychopathology
* Archives of Sexual Behavior | A Five-Year Follow Up Study of Swedish Adults with Gender Identity Disorder
* Clinical Endocrinology | Hormonal Therapy and Sex Reassignment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Quality of Life and Psychosocial Outcomes
* Archives of Sexual Behavior | Long-Term Follow-Up of Adults with Gender Identity Disorder
* Journal of Sexual Medicine | The Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria Study (1972-2015): Trends in Prevalence, Treatment, and Regrets
* https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/15/stigma-hiv-nhs-ban-ended-fear
* https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11147157
* https://socialistaction.org/2017/02/01/mariela-castros-lgbt-revolution/
* http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2018-05-14/11th-cuban-day-against-homophobia-and-transphobia
* https://www.hhrjournal.org/2018/11/transsexuals-right-to-health-a-cuban-case-study/
<references />
[[Category:LGBT+]]
[[Category:Pages to be protected]]
[[Category:Pages needing references]]
[[Category:Society]]

Black nationalism

2025-11-20T19:54:56Z

Mitzo: Created the skeleton of a more fleshed out page

'''Black nationalism''' is the belief that African Americans and other descendants of [[Africa|African]] people constitute a new, distinct [[nation]] and should be recognized as such. Black nationalism has been very influential in modern Marxist studies, with thinkers like [[Huey P. Newton|Huey Newton]] and [[Malcolm X]] being involved in black nationalist movements (although Newton later broke with black nationalism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Mike Harman|newspaper=Libcom|title=Huey Newton introduces Revolutionary Intercommunalism|date=2018-02-15|url=https://libcom.org/article/huey-newton-introduces-revolutionary-intercommunalism-boston-college-november-18-1970|retrieved=2025-11-20}}</ref>)

=== Reactionary Black nationalism ===
Despite being a progressive ideology, there are [[reactionary]] Black nationalist movements and groups such as the [[Nation of Islam]] or the Black Israelite movement, both of which preach [[Antisemitism|anti-semitism]] and [[Class collaboration|class collaborationism]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Southern Poverty Law Center|title=Nation of Islam|url=https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/nation-islam/}}</ref>

Leon Trotsky

2025-11-20T19:38:33Z

Mitzo: fixed typo and added "menshevism" and "opportunism" under political orientation

{{Infobox politician|name=Leon Trotsky|native_name=Лев Троцький|birth_name=Lev Davidovich Bronstein|birth_date=7 November 1879|birth_place=Yanovka, [[Kherson Governorate (1802–1920)|Kherson Governorate]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_cause=Assassination via ice axe|death_place=[[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]|death_date=21 August 1940|political_line=[[Trotskyism]]
[[Menshevism]]
[[Opportunism]]|image=Leon Trotsky picture.jpg}}{{Trotskyism}}

'''Lev Davidovich Bronstein''' (7 November 1879 – 21 August 1940), better known as '''Leon Trotsky''', was a controversial figure of the [[Russian Revolution]] who was later found to have disgraced himself by working in league with the [[Fascism|fascists]] and [[United States of America|U.S.]] intelligence services,<ref>{{News citation|newspaper=[[Stalin Society of Pakistan]]|title=Trotsky and Rivera were informants of the US government – American Researchers reveal|date=2015-06-20|url=https://stalinsocietypk.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/trotsky-rivera-were-informants-of-the-us-government-american-researchers-revealed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715201956/https://stalinsocietypk.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/trotsky-rivera-were-informants-of-the-us-government-american-researchers-revealed/|archive-date=2022-07-15|retrieved=2022-07-31}}</ref> as revealed during the interrogations of the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]].

== Biographical sketch ==
Trotsky was known to have a flair for making speeches and being a charismatic person. For instance, he was reported to have spoken in [[Russia|Russian]], [[France|French]] and [[Germany|German]] straight for an hour each when given an hour to defend his position. He was also known to have an aristocratic and condescending attitude, being described as a "loner" by [[M. N. Roy]].

== Pre-revolution ==

=== Early life ===
Trotsky was a [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] from 1903 to 1905.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=Stalin & the myth of the ”Old Bolsheviks”|date=2016-12-20|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/stalin-the-myth-of-the-old-bolsheviks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622142456/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/stalin-the-myth-of-the-old-bolsheviks/|archive-date=2022-06-22|retrieved=2022-08-07}}</ref> He supported the Russian imperial forces against [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] in the [[Russo-Japanese War]], while [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]] believed the defeat of the tsarist government would strengthen the revolutionary movement.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Russo-Japanese War and the First Russian Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm}}</ref> Trotsky organized the August Bloc in 1912, which included [[Liquidationism|liquidationists]], Mensheviks, and [[Otzovism|Otzovists]]. Trotsky himself was a liquidator during this period.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Stolypin Reaction. The Bolsheviks Constitute Themselves an Independent Marxist Party|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch04.htm}}</ref> During the [[First World War]], Trotsky promoted [[Class collaboration|class collaborationism]] between the Russian [[bourgeoisie]] and [[proletariat]] against other nations.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of the Imperialist War. The Second Revolution in Russia|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch06.htm}}</ref>

Trotsky joined the [[Mezhrayontsi]] group in 1913, which occupied a position between the [[Bolsheviks]] and Mensheviks. They were admitted to the Bolshevik Party in August 1917 at the 6th party congress.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref>

== Post-revolution ==
Trotsky supported the [[Russian revolution of 1917|October Revolution]], but opposed the [[New Economic Policy]].<ref name=":1">{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> He soon went in opposition to Lenin and formed an opposition bloc in 1926 with [[Grigory Zinoviev|Zinoviev]]. A joint meeting of the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Central Committee]] and the Central Control Commission expelled Trotsky from the party in November 1927.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> He argued that [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]]'s government had entered a stage of bureaucracy and believed that terrorism against the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)|Soviet Union]] was inevitable.<ref name=":0">{{News citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=Analyzing the Moscow Trials|date=2022-07-03|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/07/03/analyzing-the-moscow-trials/|retrieved=2022-07-23}}</ref>

=== Exile ===
After being exiled from the Soviet Union, Trotsky offered to provide information to U.S. intelligence services in exchange for political asylum in the United States. The U.S. refused to give him asylum and he moved to Mexico. He gave U.S. officials in Mexico information about communists and [[Communist International (1919–1943)|Comintern]] agents and received financial contributions from wealthy Statesians.

In 1932, Trotsky organized an anti-[[Leninism|Leninist]] opposition bloc that included [[Trotskyists]], Zinovievites, and [[Left-communism|left-communists]].

In the 1930s, Trotsky argued that the Soviet Union would inevitably lose the upcoming [[Second World War]] to [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] and [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Nazi Germany]]. He believed that it was necessary to overthrow the Soviet government to save the country from encircling capitalist armies.<ref name=":0" /> He also blamed Stalin and the [[Communist International (1919–1943)|Comintern]] for [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]]'s rise to power. He continued to consider the Soviet economy [[Socialism|socialist]] but believed the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] was [[Corruption|corrupt]] and [[reactionary]].<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=120–121}}</ref>

Trotsky supported [[Mikhail Tukhachevsky|Tukhachevsky]]'s plot to overthrow Stalin and favored the military leadership of the [[Workers' and Peasants' Red Army|Red Army]] over the political commissars. By 1938, he was openly advocating the overthrow of the CPSU. He said that, "whoever defends, directly or indirectly, Stalin and the Bolshevik Party, is the worst enemy of socialism" and called for a fourth Russian revolution.<ref name=":022332">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Trotsky's role on the eve of the Second World War|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=177–181}}</ref>

== Theoretical criticisms ==
Trotsky claimed that [[socialism in one country]] was impossible.<ref name=":0" /> He underplayed the importance of the national question and rejected an alliance between the proletariat and the [[Peasantry|peasants]].<ref name=":1" />

== Legacy ==
[[Trotskyism]] has proven to be a major diversion in the workers' movement even after Trotsky's death.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Peace, land and bread|title=On the Problem of Trotskyism|date=2021-09-27|url=https://www.peacelandbread.org/post/on-the-problem-of-trotskyism}}}</ref> However, some works written by Trotsky (such as ''[https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1938/morals/morals.htm Their Morals and Ours]'') continue to be respected and influential despite Trotsky's opportunism.

== Further reading ==

* [[Library:On the shortcomings of party work and measures to eliminate Trotskyist and other double-dealers|''On the Shortcomings of Party Work and Measures to Eliminate Trotskyists and Other Double-Dealers'']]
* [[Library:Trotsky and the Military Conspiracy|''Trotsky and the Military Conspiracy'']]
* ''[[Library:Trotsky’s Day in Court|Trotsky's Day in Court]]''
* [[Library:Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise|''Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise'']]
* [[Library:Trotskyism or Leninism?|''Trotskyism or Leninism?'']]

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Trotskyism]]

Leon Trotsky

2025-11-20T19:36:38Z

Mitzo: added a small sentence about how some works of his are actually pretty good (I use Their Morals and Ours as an example because despite its whining about "stalinism" it's still a good work about marxist morality)

{{Infobox politician|name=Leon Trotsky|native_name=Лев Троцький|birth_name=Lev Davidovich Bronstein|birth_date=7 November 1879|birth_place=Yanovka, [[Kherson Governorate (1802–1920)|Kherson Governorate]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_cause=Assassination via iceaxe|death_place=[[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]|death_date=21 August 1940|political_line=[[Trotskyism]]|image=Leon Trotsky picture.jpg}}{{Trotskyism}}

'''Lev Davidovich Bronstein''' (7 November 1879 – 21 August 1940), better known as '''Leon Trotsky''', was a controversial figure of the [[Russian Revolution]] who was later found to have disgraced himself by working in league with the [[Fascism|fascists]] and [[United States of America|U.S.]] intelligence services,<ref>{{News citation|newspaper=[[Stalin Society of Pakistan]]|title=Trotsky and Rivera were informants of the US government – American Researchers reveal|date=2015-06-20|url=https://stalinsocietypk.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/trotsky-rivera-were-informants-of-the-us-government-american-researchers-revealed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715201956/https://stalinsocietypk.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/trotsky-rivera-were-informants-of-the-us-government-american-researchers-revealed/|archive-date=2022-07-15|retrieved=2022-07-31}}</ref> as revealed during the interrogations of the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]].

== Biographical sketch ==
Trotsky was known to have a flair for making speeches and being a charismatic person. For instance, he was reported to have spoken in [[Russia|Russian]], [[France|French]] and [[Germany|German]] straight for an hour each when given an hour to defend his position. He was also known to have an aristocratic and condescending attitude, being described as a "loner" by [[M. N. Roy]].

== Pre-revolution ==

=== Early life ===
Trotsky was a [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] from 1903 to 1905.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=Stalin & the myth of the ”Old Bolsheviks”|date=2016-12-20|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/stalin-the-myth-of-the-old-bolsheviks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622142456/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/stalin-the-myth-of-the-old-bolsheviks/|archive-date=2022-06-22|retrieved=2022-08-07}}</ref> He supported the Russian imperial forces against [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] in the [[Russo-Japanese War]], while [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]] believed the defeat of the tsarist government would strengthen the revolutionary movement.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Russo-Japanese War and the First Russian Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm}}</ref> Trotsky organized the August Bloc in 1912, which included [[Liquidationism|liquidationists]], Mensheviks, and [[Otzovism|Otzovists]]. Trotsky himself was a liquidator during this period.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks in the Period of the Stolypin Reaction. The Bolsheviks Constitute Themselves an Independent Marxist Party|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch04.htm}}</ref> During the [[First World War]], Trotsky promoted [[Class collaboration|class collaborationism]] between the Russian [[bourgeoisie]] and [[proletariat]] against other nations.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of the Imperialist War. The Second Revolution in Russia|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch06.htm}}</ref>

Trotsky joined the [[Mezhrayontsi]] group in 1913, which occupied a position between the [[Bolsheviks]] and Mensheviks. They were admitted to the Bolshevik Party in August 1917 at the 6th party congress.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref>

== Post-revolution ==
Trotsky supported the [[Russian revolution of 1917|October Revolution]], but opposed the [[New Economic Policy]].<ref name=":1">{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> He soon went in opposition to Lenin and formed an opposition bloc in 1926 with [[Grigory Zinoviev|Zinoviev]]. A joint meeting of the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Central Committee]] and the Central Control Commission expelled Trotsky from the party in November 1927.<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> He argued that [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]]'s government had entered a stage of bureaucracy and believed that terrorism against the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)|Soviet Union]] was inevitable.<ref name=":0">{{News citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=Analyzing the Moscow Trials|date=2022-07-03|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/07/03/analyzing-the-moscow-trials/|retrieved=2022-07-23}}</ref>

=== Exile ===
After being exiled from the Soviet Union, Trotsky offered to provide information to U.S. intelligence services in exchange for political asylum in the United States. The U.S. refused to give him asylum and he moved to Mexico. He gave U.S. officials in Mexico information about communists and [[Communist International (1919–1943)|Comintern]] agents and received financial contributions from wealthy Statesians.

In 1932, Trotsky organized an anti-[[Leninism|Leninist]] opposition bloc that included [[Trotskyists]], Zinovievites, and [[Left-communism|left-communists]].

In the 1930s, Trotsky argued that the Soviet Union would inevitably lose the upcoming [[Second World War]] to [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] and [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Nazi Germany]]. He believed that it was necessary to overthrow the Soviet government to save the country from encircling capitalist armies.<ref name=":0" /> He also blamed Stalin and the [[Communist International (1919–1943)|Comintern]] for [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]]'s rise to power. He continued to consider the Soviet economy [[Socialism|socialist]] but believed the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] was [[Corruption|corrupt]] and [[reactionary]].<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=120–121}}</ref>

Trotsky supported [[Mikhail Tukhachevsky|Tukhachevsky]]'s plot to overthrow Stalin and favored the military leadership of the [[Workers' and Peasants' Red Army|Red Army]] over the political commissars. By 1938, he was openly advocating the overthrow of the CPSU. He said that, "whoever defends, directly or indirectly, Stalin and the Bolshevik Party, is the worst enemy of socialism" and called for a fourth Russian revolution.<ref name=":022332">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Trotsky's role on the eve of the Second World War|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=177–181}}</ref>

== Theoretical criticisms ==
Trotsky claimed that [[socialism in one country]] was impossible.<ref name=":0" /> He underplayed the importance of the national question and rejected an alliance between the proletariat and the [[Peasantry|peasants]].<ref name=":1" />

== Legacy ==
[[Trotskyism]] has proven to be a major diversion in the workers' movement even after Trotsky's death.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Peace, land and bread|title=On the Problem of Trotskyism|date=2021-09-27|url=https://www.peacelandbread.org/post/on-the-problem-of-trotskyism}}}</ref> However, some works written by Trotsky (such as ''[https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1938/morals/morals.htm Their Morals and Ours]'') continue to be respected and influential despite Trotsky's opportunism.

== Further reading ==

* [[Library:On the shortcomings of party work and measures to eliminate Trotskyist and other double-dealers|''On the Shortcomings of Party Work and Measures to Eliminate Trotskyists and Other Double-Dealers'']]
* [[Library:Trotsky and the Military Conspiracy|''Trotsky and the Military Conspiracy'']]
* ''[[Library:Trotsky’s Day in Court|Trotsky's Day in Court]]''
* [[Library:Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise|''Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise'']]
* [[Library:Trotskyism or Leninism?|''Trotskyism or Leninism?'']]

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Trotskyism]]

Nikolai Bukharin

2025-11-16T23:48:09Z

Mitzo: Fixed the redirect

{{Infobox politician|name=Nikolai Bukharin|native_name=Никола́й Буха́рин|birth_date=9 October 1888|death_date=15 March 1938|birth_place=[[Moscow]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_place=Moscow, [[RSFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]|death_cause=Execution|nationality=Russian|political_orientation=[[Opportunism]]|image=Bukharin.png}}

'''Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin''' (9 October 1888 – 15 March 1938) was a [[Russian Federation|Russian]] [[Revolution|revolutionary]] and [[Communism|communist]] politician. After the [[October Revolution]], he initially became a member of a [[Left-communism|left-communist]] opposition group with [[Yevgeni Preobrazhensky|Preobrazhensky]] that supported [[Leon Trotsky|Trotsky]] over [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]. During the [[New Economic Policy]], he became a [[Opportunism#Right opportunism|right-opportunist]] and supported the [[bourgeoisie]]<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> and [[Kulak|kulaks]]. He formed an anti-party bloc with [[Alexei Rykov]] and [[Mikhail Tomsky]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> In early 1929, Bukharin confessed to [[Jules Humbert-Droz]], a [[Swiss Confederation|Swiss]] [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and a friend, that the bloc was forced to resort to [[terrorism]] in order to remove [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] for the lack of public or Party support.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Jules Humbert-Droz]]|year=1929|title=Nikolai Bukharin on the Use of Individual Terror Against Stalin|chapter=Courtesy: Jules Humbert-Droz, ‘De Lénin à Staline, Dix Ans Au Service de L’ Internationale Communiste 1921-31’, A la Baconniére, Neuchâtel, 1971, pp. 379-80. Translated from the French by Vijay Singh|chapter-url=https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv8n1/bukharin.htm}}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Revolution ===
In 1918, Bukharin planned to arrest Lenin, Stalin, and [[Yakov Sverdlov|Sverdlov]] and create a new government of [[Party of Socialist-Revolutionaries|SRs]] and left communists.<ref name=":0223" />

=== 1930s ===
Bukharin was the chief editor of the government newspaper ''[[Izvestiya]]'' during the early 1930s. He met with the [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] [[Nikolayevsky]] in [[Paris]] to buy some manuscripts of [[Karl Marx|Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]] and admitted that he saw Stalin as "not a man, a devil."<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another view of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|title-url=|chapter-url=|PW-work=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|quote=During his trial, Bukharin admitted in front of the tribunal that in 1918, after the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, that there was a plan to arrest Lenin, Stalin and Sverdlov, and to form a new government composed of `left-communists' and Social Revolutionaries. But he firmly denied that there was also a plan to execute them.

`Stalin aimed at one party dictatorship and complete centralisation. Bukharin envisaged several parties and even nationalist parties, and stood for the maximum of decentralisation. He was also in favour of vesting authority in the various constituent republics and thought that the more important of these should even control their own foreign relations. By 1936, Bukharin was approaching the social democratic standpoint of the left-wing socialists of the West.'}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
Bukharin believed the [[Peasantry|peasants]] were aligned with the bourgeoisie and supported the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[First World War|World War]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref><ref name=":0223" />

=== Collectivization ===
Bukharin believed that [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)#Collectivization|collectivization]] was not possible at the planned rate and that middle and poor peasants did not want to collectivize.<ref name=":052">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Collectivization|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=62}}</ref> After collectivization was completed, he wanted to reverse it.<ref name=":0223" />

=== Elections ===
Bukharin wanted to create another political party composed of [[Intellectual|intellectuals]] to run against the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] in elections. He also advocated for other opposition parties including [[Nationalism|nationalist]] parties.<ref name=":0223" />

== Philosophical views ==
Bukharin promoted the [[Metaphysics|anti-dialectical]] theory of [[mechanism]], which claimed that systems exist at equilibrium and cannot change or move without external influence. In 1921, Lenin criticized him for not understanding dialectics. The April 1929 meeting of the Second All-Union Conference of Marxist–Leninist Scientific Institutions rejected mechanism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE USSR: Mechanism VS Dialectics (1920s)|date=2022-10-09|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316150841/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-date=2024-03-16}}</ref>

== Execution ==
Bukharin was executed in 1937 after the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]] revealed that he had joined an anti-Soviet bloc with Leon Trotsky and [[Grigory Zinoviev]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle to Complete the Building of the Socialist Society. Introduction of the New Constitution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch12.htm}}</ref> [[Grigori Tokaty|Grigory Tokaev]] (an "ultra-conspiratorial" liberal oppositionist)<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=61|quote=from this statement alone my other readers will grasp in what a turgid atmosphere, in what an ultra-conspiratorial manner-- not even knowing one another's characters-- we oppositionists of the U.S.S.R. have to work.|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref> writes in ''Betrayal of an Ideal'' that Bukharin had denounced public opposition to Stalin's government in 1935.<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1955|title=Betrayal of an Ideal|page=168, 284|quote=This was all typical Bukharin, this notion of working up a general spirit of resistance, without ever a trace of direct organised struggle against the policy of extreme measures. He was ready to talk about a new revolution, yet refused to admit that it was feasible until the masses had acquired a sense of what it all meant. As for us, the younger generation, he urged us to have confidence in ourselves, but he also urged us to have patience. Events were to prove him right in this and, in the long run, we realised that in the early thirties we approached our political problems in a very shallow way. Two years later, in 1934, we attacked Bukharin and his fellows savagely, accusing them of slithering back into the bogs of Stalinism, but eventually we were to understand that they knew far better than we did what was possible and what was not. The fact that at our first meeting he told us nothing could be done to stop forced collectivisation did not mean that he did not condemn it; it merely meant that he was less powerful than we had foolishly thought he was. (168)

[...]

After I came out of hospital I delivered to Bukharin a resolution prepared by my comrades, which described his action as "renegade, capitulatory and treacherous". His only answer was a morose silence.

He had urged us to think for ourselves and to try to bring our influence to bear on public matters; now he himself had turned against the views, the faith he had stirred up. He would like to have regained our confidence, but it was too late. He had allowed himself to be broken. As a political figure he was on the run. The inevitable ending was already in sight. Soon he was to be arrested, charged with a crime he had never committed, and shamefully put to death.

'Learn by my errors," Bukharin had said when I handed him our resolution, "and bear in mind that Stalin always has a dirty trick up his sleeve." Alas, there were too many errors for us to learn from, and we had to look for more reliable models on which to shape our lives than this intelligent but weak man who made so puny a statesman. (284)|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> Tokaev expresses frustration that [[Kamenev]] establishes links between himself, Zinoviev, and Bukharin during his 1935 trial, and "thus, in the course of the second Moscow trial, were sewn the seeds of the fourth trial."<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=59|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Despite turning to opportunism and social-democracy later in life, Bukharin is still a highly influential Marxist and is considered to be the forefather of [[Market socialism|Market Socialism]], with some comparing his ideas of building up socialism slowly through the [[NEP]] to [[Deng Xiaoping|Deng Xiaoping's]] period of [[Reform and Opening Up|"Reform and Opening Up"]]<ref>{{Citation|author=James White|year=2007|title=Soviet Studies|title-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ceas19|chapter=Chinese Studies of Bukharin|chapter-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09668139108411958}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Russian Marxists]]
<references />
[[Category:Russians by descent]]
[[Category:People in Russia]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukharin, Nikolai}}

Nikolai Bukharin

2025-11-16T23:47:33Z

Mitzo: Added an extra section regarding his legacy and influence on market socialism

{{Infobox politician|name=Nikolai Bukharin|native_name=Никола́й Буха́рин|birth_date=9 October 1888|death_date=15 March 1938|birth_place=[[Moscow]], [[Russian Empire]]|death_place=Moscow, [[RSFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]|death_cause=Execution|nationality=Russian|political_orientation=[[Opportunism]]|image=Bukharin.png}}

'''Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin''' (9 October 1888 – 15 March 1938) was a [[Russian Federation|Russian]] [[Revolution|revolutionary]] and [[Communism|communist]] politician. After the [[October Revolution]], he initially became a member of a [[Left-communism|left-communist]] opposition group with [[Yevgeni Preobrazhensky|Preobrazhensky]] that supported [[Leon Trotsky|Trotsky]] over [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]. During the [[New Economic Policy]], he became a [[Opportunism#Right opportunism|right-opportunist]] and supported the [[bourgeoisie]]<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Transition to the Peaceful Work of Economic Restoration|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch09.htm}}</ref> and [[Kulak|kulaks]]. He formed an anti-party bloc with [[Alexei Rykov]] and [[Mikhail Tomsky]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle for the Socialist Industrialization of the Country|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch10.htm}}</ref> In early 1929, Bukharin confessed to [[Jules Humbert-Droz]], a [[Swiss Confederation|Swiss]] [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and a friend, that the bloc was forced to resort to [[terrorism]] in order to remove [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] for the lack of public or Party support.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Jules Humbert-Droz]]|year=1929|title=Nikolai Bukharin on the Use of Individual Terror Against Stalin|chapter=Courtesy: Jules Humbert-Droz, ‘De Lénin à Staline, Dix Ans Au Service de L’ Internationale Communiste 1921-31’, A la Baconniére, Neuchâtel, 1971, pp. 379-80. Translated from the French by Vijay Singh|chapter-url=https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv8n1/bukharin.htm}}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Revolution ===
In 1918, Bukharin planned to arrest Lenin, Stalin, and [[Yakov Sverdlov|Sverdlov]] and create a new government of [[Party of Socialist-Revolutionaries|SRs]] and left communists.<ref name=":0223" />

=== 1930s ===
Bukharin was the chief editor of the government newspaper ''[[Izvestiya]]'' during the early 1930s. He met with the [[Mensheviks|Menshevik]] [[Nikolayevsky]] in [[Paris]] to buy some manuscripts of [[Karl Marx|Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]] and admitted that he saw Stalin as "not a man, a devil."<ref name=":0223">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another view of Stalin|chapter=The Great Purge|https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|title-url=|chapter-url=|PW-work=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Another_view_of_Stalin#The_Great_Purge|quote=During his trial, Bukharin admitted in front of the tribunal that in 1918, after the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, that there was a plan to arrest Lenin, Stalin and Sverdlov, and to form a new government composed of `left-communists' and Social Revolutionaries. But he firmly denied that there was also a plan to execute them.

`Stalin aimed at one party dictatorship and complete centralisation. Bukharin envisaged several parties and even nationalist parties, and stood for the maximum of decentralisation. He was also in favour of vesting authority in the various constituent republics and thought that the more important of these should even control their own foreign relations. By 1936, Bukharin was approaching the social democratic standpoint of the left-wing socialists of the West.'}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
Bukharin believed the [[Peasantry|peasants]] were aligned with the bourgeoisie and supported the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] [[First World War|World War]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Joseph Stalin]]|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Period of Preparation and Realization of the October Socialist Revolution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch07.htm}}</ref><ref name=":0223" />

=== Collectivization ===
Bukharin believed that [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)#Collectivization|collectivization]] was not possible at the planned rate and that middle and poor peasants did not want to collectivize.<ref name=":052">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Collectivization|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=62}}</ref> After collectivization was completed, he wanted to reverse it.<ref name=":0223" />

=== Elections ===
Bukharin wanted to create another political party composed of [[Intellectual|intellectuals]] to run against the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] in elections. He also advocated for other opposition parties including [[Nationalism|nationalist]] parties.<ref name=":0223" />

== Philosophical views ==
Bukharin promoted the [[Metaphysics|anti-dialectical]] theory of [[mechanism]], which claimed that systems exist at equilibrium and cannot change or move without external influence. In 1921, Lenin criticized him for not understanding dialectics. The April 1929 meeting of the Second All-Union Conference of Marxist–Leninist Scientific Institutions rejected mechanism.<ref>{{Web citation|author=[[TheFinnishBolshevik]]|newspaper=ML-Theory|title=HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE USSR: Mechanism VS Dialectics (1920s)|date=2022-10-09|url=https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316150841/https://mltheory.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/history-of-philosophy-in-the-ussr-mechanism-vs-dialectics-1920s/|archive-date=2024-03-16}}</ref>

== Execution ==
Bukharin was executed in 1937 after the [[Moscow trials|Moscow Trials]] revealed that he had joined an anti-Soviet bloc with Leon Trotsky and [[Grigory Zinoviev]].<ref>{{Citation|author=Joseph Stalin|year=1939|title=History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks)|chapter=The Bolshevik Party in the Struggle to Complete the Building of the Socialist Society. Introduction of the New Constitution|mia=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch03.htm|chapter-url=https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1939/x01/ch12.htm}}</ref> [[Grigori Tokaty|Grigory Tokaev]] (an "ultra-conspiratorial" liberal oppositionist)<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=61|quote=from this statement alone my other readers will grasp in what a turgid atmosphere, in what an ultra-conspiratorial manner-- not even knowing one another's characters-- we oppositionists of the U.S.S.R. have to work.|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref> writes in ''Betrayal of an Ideal'' that Bukharin had denounced public opposition to Stalin's government in 1935.<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1955|title=Betrayal of an Ideal|page=168, 284|quote=This was all typical Bukharin, this notion of working up a general spirit of resistance, without ever a trace of direct organised struggle against the policy of extreme measures. He was ready to talk about a new revolution, yet refused to admit that it was feasible until the masses had acquired a sense of what it all meant. As for us, the younger generation, he urged us to have confidence in ourselves, but he also urged us to have patience. Events were to prove him right in this and, in the long run, we realised that in the early thirties we approached our political problems in a very shallow way. Two years later, in 1934, we attacked Bukharin and his fellows savagely, accusing them of slithering back into the bogs of Stalinism, but eventually we were to understand that they knew far better than we did what was possible and what was not. The fact that at our first meeting he told us nothing could be done to stop forced collectivisation did not mean that he did not condemn it; it merely meant that he was less powerful than we had foolishly thought he was. (168)

[...]

After I came out of hospital I delivered to Bukharin a resolution prepared by my comrades, which described his action as "renegade, capitulatory and treacherous". His only answer was a morose silence.

He had urged us to think for ourselves and to try to bring our influence to bear on public matters; now he himself had turned against the views, the faith he had stirred up. He would like to have regained our confidence, but it was too late. He had allowed himself to be broken. As a political figure he was on the run. The inevitable ending was already in sight. Soon he was to be arrested, charged with a crime he had never committed, and shamefully put to death.

'Learn by my errors," Bukharin had said when I handed him our resolution, "and bear in mind that Stalin always has a dirty trick up his sleeve." Alas, there were too many errors for us to learn from, and we had to look for more reliable models on which to shape our lives than this intelligent but weak man who made so puny a statesman. (284)|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> Tokaev expresses frustration that [[Kamenev]] establishes links between himself, Zinoviev, and Bukharin during his 1935 trial, and "thus, in the course of the second Moscow trial, were sewn the seeds of the fourth trial."<ref>{{Citation|author=Grigory Tokaev|year=1956|title=Comrade X|title-url=https://archive.org/details/TokaevComradeX1956|chapter=Terrorism by Judicial Trial|page=59|publisher=The Harvill Press}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Despite turning to opportunism and social-democracy later in life, Bukharin is still a highly influential Marxist and is considered to be the forefather of [[Socialist market economy|Market Socialism]], with some comparing his ideas of building up socialism slowly through the [[NEP]] to [[Deng Xiaoping|Deng Xiaoping's]] period of [[Reform and Opening Up|"Reform and Opening Up"]]<ref>{{Citation|author=James White|year=2007|title=Soviet Studies|title-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ceas19|chapter=Chinese Studies of Bukharin|chapter-url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09668139108411958}}</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Russian Marxists]]
<references />
[[Category:Russians by descent]]
[[Category:People in Russia]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukharin, Nikolai}}

Constitution of the United States

2025-11-13T04:16:57Z

Mitzo: Added a list of amendments. if someone can find a way to make a subheader for the bill of rights and then the other amendments without breaking the numbered list format and keeping 11 as 11 i'd appreciate it

{{Infobox book
| image = US constitution.png
| publication = 1789
| image_size = 200
| preceded_by = [[Articles of Confederation]]
| authors = [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]]
}}

The current '''Constitution of the United States''' was adopted on March 4, 1789, replacing the [[Articles of Confederation]]. It increased the centralized power of the state and created a national army to fight against indigenous nations, [[Slavery|slave]] rebellions, and the [[Proletariat|working class]]. The Constitution legalized slavery and required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Crystal Kim|newspaper=[[Liberation School]]|title=Of, by, and for the elite: The class character of the U.S. Constitution|date=2022-10-19|url=https://www.liberationschool.org/class-character-of-the-u-s-constitution/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101071009/https://www.liberationschool.org/class-character-of-the-u-s-constitution/|archive-date=2022-11-01|retrieved=2022-11-24}}</ref> Both writers of the Constitution, [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]], owned slaves.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Domenico Losurdo]]|year=2011|title=Liberalism: A Counter-History|chapter=What Is Liberalism?|page=12|publisher=Verso|isbn=9781844676934|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=5BB3406BC2E64972831A1C00D5D4BFE4|pdf=https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzacebhsj2yxuoudkhkjp6lzgr5jvgyhu76zxe4gw3d65gpg32a6nded4?filename=Domenico%20Losurdo%2C%20Gregory%20Elliott%20-%20Liberalism_%20A%20Counter-History-Verso%20%282011%29.pdf}}</ref>

The three-fifths clause of the Constitution partially counted slaves to determine seats in Congress. Since these slaves could not vote, the clause overrepresented the votes of southern slave owners and led to the creation of the [[Virginia dynasty]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Domenico Losurdo]]|year=2011|title=Liberalism: A Counter-History|chapter=Were Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century England and America Liberal?|page=96|publisher=Verso|isbn=9781844676934|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=5BB3406BC2E64972831A1C00D5D4BFE4|pdf=https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzacebhsj2yxuoudkhkjp6lzgr5jvgyhu76zxe4gw3d65gpg32a6nded4?filename=Domenico%20Losurdo%2C%20Gregory%20Elliott%20-%20Liberalism_%20A%20Counter-History-Verso%20%282011%29.pdf}}</ref>

Out of over 11,000 attempts to amend the Constitution, only 27 have succeeded. Amendments need a two-thirds vote from both houses of [[United States Congress|Congress]] and approval from three-quarters of the states.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Chad Pearson|newspaper=[[MR Online]]|title=Sober Up Liberals: The U.S. Constitution Sucks|date=2023-07-12|url=https://mronline.org/2023/07/12/sober-up-liberals-the-u-s-constitution-sucks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712132453/https://mronline.org/2023/07/12/sober-up-liberals-the-u-s-constitution-sucks/|archive-date=2023-07-12}}</ref>

== Amendments ==

# Right to "free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly," and "freedom to petition the government."
# Right to bear arms (gun ownership)
# Right to refuse soldiers to reside in your private household
# Prohibition of unreasonable search and seizures
# Right to not have to speak certain information at trial
# Right to a fair and speedy trial
# Right to a "jury of peers"
# Prohibition of unreasonable fines and "cruel or unusual punishment" (the death penalty, however, is still legal federally)
# State governments cannot impede on individual rights
# Any power not specifically given to the federal government by the constitution belongs to state governments
# State governments are immune to lawsuits from citizens from out of state
# Establishes the position of vice president as chosen by the president rather than given to the runner-up in the election
# Abolition of slavery (notably, except as a punishment for a crime, a loophole used liberally)
# Citizenship is to be granted to anyone born or naturalized in the USA
# Prohibition of voting discrimination based on race
# Gives the federal government the right to levy income taxes on any sources
# Establishes the position of senator as a position to be voted on by citizens
# Prohibition of the making or sale of alcohol (repealed by the 21st amendment)
# Prohibition of voting discrimination based on gender assigned at birth
# Clarifies the date on which presidency begins (January 20th) and ends (January 3rd) alongside establishing the promotion of the vice president to president if the currently acting president dies or is otherwise unable to serve
# Repeal of the earlier 18th amendment
# Limits the amount of terms a president can be elected to 2
# Grants Washington DC electors in the Electoral College
# Prohibition of the denial to vote based on failure to pay poll taxes
# Establishes a full line of succession for the office of the president
# Voting age lowered to 18
# Delays laws that change congressional pay from taking effect until the next election of representatives<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Constitution Center|title=The Amendments|url=https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[United States Declaration of Independence]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States_of_America Full text]

== References ==
[[Category:Constitutions]]
[[Category:Government of the United States of America]]