Marxism vs. Trotsky

Attribute	Marxism	Trotsky
Founder	Karl Marx	Leon Trotsky
Key Ideas	Class struggle, historical materialism, dictatorship of the proletariat	Permanent revolution, transitional demands, internationalism
Role of the State	Withers away in a communist society	Transitional state to socialism
Revolutionary Strategy	Proletarian revolution	Permanent revolution
Views on Leninism	Developed by Lenin after Marx's death	Supported Lenin's ideas but had disagreements

Origins and Development

Marxism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century, is a socio-political theory that focuses on the struggle between the working class (proletariat) and the ruling class (bourgeoisie). It advocates for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively. Trotskyism, on the other hand, is a branch of Marxism developed by Leon Trotsky, a Russian revolutionary and theorist. Trotskyism emphasizes the need for international revolution and the importance of a vanguard party to lead the proletariat to victory.

Key Principles

One of the key principles of Marxism is historical materialism, which posits that the development of society is driven by the material conditions of production. Marxists believe that class struggle is the motor of history and that capitalism will inevitably give way to socialism. Trotskyism shares these beliefs but places a greater emphasis on the role of the working class in bringing about revolutionary change. Trotskyists argue that the working class must be organized and led by a disciplined party to successfully overthrow capitalism.

Revolutionary Strategy

Marxism advocates for a gradual transition from capitalism to socialism through the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat. Marx believed that the working class would seize control of the state and use it to abolish private property and establish a socialist society. Trotskyism, on the other hand, argues for a more militant and immediate approach to revolution. Trotskyists believe in the theory of permanent revolution, which calls for the proletariat to seize power and continue the revolution until socialism is achieved on a global scale.

Internationalism

Both Marxism and Trotskyism are internationalist ideologies that reject nationalism and advocate for the unity of the working class across borders. Marx famously declared that "workers of the world, unite!" to emphasize the importance of international solidarity among the proletariat. Trotskyists similarly believe in the need for a global revolution to overthrow capitalism and establish socialism. They criticize nationalist movements as divisive and argue that only a united international working class can bring about lasting change.

Role of the Party

Marxism and Trotskyism both emphasize the importance of a vanguard party to lead the working class in the revolutionary struggle. Marxists believe that the party should be a disciplined and centralized organization that represents the interests of the proletariat. Trotskyists, influenced by Trotsky's theory of the permanent revolution, argue for a more militant and proactive role for the party in advancing the revolutionary cause. They believe that the party should actively intervene in the class struggle and push for the immediate overthrow of capitalism.

Legacy and Influence

Marxism has had a profound impact on the development of socialist and communist movements around the world. The ideas of Marx and Engels have inspired countless revolutionaries and activists to fight for social justice and equality. Trotskyism, while a smaller and more marginalized tendency within the broader Marxist tradition, has also had a significant influence on revolutionary movements. Trotsky's writings on permanent revolution and the role of the vanguard party continue to be studied and debated by left-wing activists and intellectuals.