Leninism vs. Trotskyism

Attribute	Leninism	Trotskyism
Founder	Vladimir Lenin	Leon Trotsky
Role of the Party	Centralized party leadership	Emphasis on democratic centralism
Revolutionary Strategy	Vanguard party leading the revolution	Permanent revolution
Internationalism	Advocated for world revolution	Emphasized internationalism
Economic Policy	New Economic Policy (NEP)	Transitional program towards socialism

Origins

Leninism and Trotskyism are two branches of Marxism that emerged in the early 20th century. Leninism, named after Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin, developed as a distinct ideology during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Lenin emphasized the need for a vanguard party to lead the working class in overthrowing the capitalist system and establishing a socialist state. Trotskyism, on the other hand, is named after Leon Trotsky, a key figure in the Russian Revolution and a rival of Lenin. Trotskyism emerged as a critique of Stalinism, arguing for international revolution and permanent revolution as opposed to socialism in one country.

Role of the Party

One of the key differences between Leninism and Trotskyism lies in their views on the role of the party. Leninism advocates for a vanguard party composed of professional revolutionaries who guide the working class in achieving socialism. Lenin believed that the party should be tightly organized and disciplined, with a centralized leadership structure. Trotskyism, on the other hand, also supports the idea of a vanguard party but emphasizes the importance of democratic centralism, allowing for more internal debate and discussion within the party.

Internationalism vs. Socialism in One Country

Another major difference between Leninism and Trotskyism is their approach to internationalism. Leninism, as articulated by Lenin himself, supported the idea of international revolution and believed that socialism could only be achieved on a global scale. This is in contrast to Trotskyism, which criticized Stalin's policy of "socialism in one country" and argued for the need for continuous revolution on an international level. Trotskyists believe that socialism cannot be fully realized in one country alone and must be spread globally.

Permanent Revolution

One of the key tenets of Trotskyism is the concept of permanent revolution. Trotsky argued that in countries with underdeveloped capitalist economies, the working class could not wait for the bourgeoisie to lead the revolution. Instead, he advocated for a continuous and uninterrupted revolution that would lead directly to socialism. This idea stands in contrast to Leninism, which believed in a two-stage revolution where the working class first establishes a bourgeois democracy before transitioning to socialism.

Role of the Military

Leninism and Trotskyism also differ in their views on the role of the military in revolutionary movements. Leninism, influenced by Lenin's experiences in the Russian Revolution, emphasized the need for a strong and disciplined military force to defend the socialist state against counter-revolutionary forces. Trotskyism, on the other hand, criticized the militarization of the state under Stalin and argued for the democratization of the military, with elected officers and soldiers' councils playing a key role in decision-making.

Legacy and Influence

Despite their differences, both Leninism and Trotskyism have had a significant impact on socialist movements around the world. Leninism, as practiced in the Soviet Union under Stalin, shaped the development of state socialism and influenced communist parties globally. Trotskyism, on the other hand, has been a source of inspiration for anti-Stalinist and anti-imperialist movements, particularly in the Global South. Both ideologies continue to have dedicated followers and remain relevant in debates within the left-wing political spectrum.