Marxism vs. Trotskyism

Attribute	Marxism	Trotskyism
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	Instrument of the working class to achieve socialism
Revolutionary Strategy	Proletarian revolution	Permanent revolution, world revolution
Party Organization	Centralized party structure	Democratic centralism, vanguard party

Origins

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 permanent revolution theory, which argues that socialist revolutions should continue until a global socialist society is achieved.

Role of the State

In Marxism, the state is seen as a tool of the ruling class to maintain their power and oppress the working class. Marxists believe that the state will wither away once socialism is established, leading to a classless society. Trotskyism, on the other hand, views the state as a necessary instrument for the working class to wield power and defend against counter-revolutionary forces. Trotskyists advocate for a democratic workers' state to ensure the transition to socialism and protect the gains of the revolution.

Revolutionary Strategy

Marxism advocates for a gradual and peaceful transition to socialism through the electoral process and the gradual accumulation of power by the working class. Marxists believe in building a mass movement and winning over the majority of the population to the socialist cause. Trotskyism, on the other hand, emphasizes the need for a revolutionary vanguard party to lead the working class in overthrowing capitalism. Trotskyists argue that the ruling class will never voluntarily give up power and that a violent revolution is necessary to achieve socialism.

Internationalism

Marxism has a strong internationalist outlook, believing that socialism can only be achieved on a global scale. Marxists emphasize the need for solidarity among workers across national boundaries and support for anti-imperialist struggles. Trotskyism takes this internationalism a step further, advocating for the spread of socialist revolution to all countries and the establishment of a worldwide socialist society. Trotskyists argue that socialism in one country is not sustainable and that the global capitalist system must be overthrown.

Role of the Individual

In Marxism, the individual is seen as part of a larger class struggle, with their actions and beliefs shaped by their social and economic conditions. Marxists emphasize the importance of collective action and solidarity in achieving socialism. Trotskyism, on the other hand, places a greater emphasis on the role of the individual in history and the need for leadership in the revolutionary struggle. Trotskyists believe in the importance of a revolutionary vanguard party and the role of individuals like Trotsky in advancing the socialist cause.

Conclusion

While Marxism and Trotskyism share a common foundation in the works of Karl Marx, they diverge on key issues such as the role of the state, revolutionary strategy, and internationalism. Marxism emphasizes the gradual transition to socialism through mass movements and electoral politics, while Trotskyism advocates for a more militant approach with a focus on international revolution and the leadership of a vanguard party. Both ideologies have had a significant impact on socialist movements around the world and continue to influence political thought to this day.