Letter to the Editors from the December 1985 issue of the Socialist Standard
Russian steps
Dear Editors
In the November Socialist Standard the nature of the Russian socio-economic system is discussed and "bureaucratic collectivism", as suggested by Bruno Rizzi. rejected in favour of "state capitalism".
It may therefore be of interest to note that Lenin, in a speech delivered to the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets in 1918. had this to say about the situation:
Reality says that State Capitalism would be a step forward for us; if we were able to bring about in Russia in a short time State Capitalism it would be a victory for us. How could they [Lenin's critics] be so blind as not to see that our enemy is the small capitalist, the small owner? . . . What is State Capitalism in the hands of the Soviet Power? To bring about State Capitalism at the present time means to establish that control and order formerly achieved by the propertied classes. (Translated from the Official Version in Isvestia, 30 May 1918.)
The "transition to complete Socialism" to which Lenin also refers has of course never taken place.
J E Moore,
Evenley,
Northamptonshire
1 comment:
In the original Standard, the letter mistakenly suggested that the article referred to was from the October 1985 Socialist Standard.
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