Trotskyism or Leninism?

by Joseph Stalin

"Comrades, after Kamenev's comprehensive report there is little left for me to say. I shall therefore confine myself to exposing certain legends that are being spread by Trotsky and his supporters about the October uprising, about Trotsky's role in the uprising, about the Party and the preparation for October, and so forth. I shall also touch upon Trotskyism as a peculiar ideology that is incompatible with Leninism, and upon the Party's tasks in connection with Trotsky's latest literary pronouncements." - J.V. Stalin

Genres: Theory, Nonfiction, Politics

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2013

About the author

Joseph Stalin, originally Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili, was a Soviet revolutionary, politician and statesman who became the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922–1952) and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union (1941–1953).

Initially governing the country as part of a collective leadership, he consolidated power to become an informal dictator by the 1930s. Ideologically adhering to the Leninist interpretation of Marxism, he formalised these ideas as Marxism–Leninism, while his own policies are called Stalinism.

Reviews

[Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trotsky asserts that all this is needed for the purpose of "studying" October. But is it not possible to study October without giving another kick at the Party and its leader Lenin? What sort of a "history" of October is it that begins and ends with attempts to discredit the chief leader of the October uprising, to discredit the Party, which organised and carried through the uprising? No, it is not a matter here of studying October. That is not the way to study October. That is not the way to write the history of October. Obviously, there is a different "design" here, and everything goes to show that this "design" is that Trotsky by his literary pronouncements is making another (yet another!) attempt to create the conditions for substituting Trotskyism for Leninism. Trotsky needs "desperately" to discredit the Party, and its cadres who carried through the uprising, in order, after discrediting the Party, to proceed to discredit Leninism. And it is necessary for him to discredit Leninism in order to drag in Trotskyism as the "sole" "proletarian" (don't laugh!) ideology. All this, of course (oh, of course!) under the flag of Leninism, so that the dragging operation may be performed "as painlessly as possible. "

That is the essence of Trotsky's latest literary pronouncements."

As always, Stalin's writing is clear, concise, and even humorous at times. The first two chapters deal with certain context-bound claims and rumors whose promotion by Trotsky and his followers forced a proper response which details the facts. The final chapter explains why Trotskyism is fundamentally opposed to (Marxism-)Leninism despite its attempts to pose itself as a continuation of Lenin's ideas.

[Manus In Belfast · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would compare writings like this to early 1900s social media disagreements. By no means are they not important to understanding ideology and history, when involving very important figures like Stalin, but you need to come to the table with a certain level of contemporary background and context to make the most of it. Imagine reading tweets 100 years from now, without knowing what was going on at the time.

I was interested his description of how Bolsheviks should handle party disagreements, as well as an acknowledgement that the road to Socialism has both defeats and victories.

I do think Stalin provides a useful and valuable criticism of Trotsky as the opportunist that he was, and uses events from that time to substantiate this claim. He also takes a very important hit at the concept of permanent revolution, which was proven wrong through the course of history.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explica la diferencia existente entre el Trotkismo (mencheviques) y el Marxismo-Leninismo (la mayoria del pueblo, Bolcheviques) desde una perspectiva marxista analiza los errores que tiene el trotkismo ideología que ya para esa epoca demostraba estar llena de aguas.

[Scott Bisset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work smashing Troskyist nonsense. Gives some historical perspective from those who where there.

[Paul Wildermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Revolation

Before reading this work by the revolutionary writer and leader Stalin, I was in the false understanding that both Leninism and Trotskyism were too similar to cause conflict. I did not truly grasp the fierce struggle between these two revolutionary forces throughout the Russian Revolution, as well as within the modern day. I believed the struggle to be futile: a struggle only intended to separate leftist theory.

However, now obtaining a full understanding upon the thought in which Trotsky produced, and his bourgeois approach to revolution in which abstaining from the peasant voices, I come to realize the true dangers that this thought showcases. Trotskyism is an ideal in which to be ignored and stopped.

Stalin within this piece has a flow of vocabulary which is simple to understand. Within one reading the concept that confused me for months has become clear.

Upon reflection, it scares me how prominent Trotskyism is among modern so-called “revolutionists.” The modern parties of the RCI have created a stronghold in which they seem to be a dominant force in their so-called “Marxist-Leninist” thought. The damage in which this party may contribute to the working class of the world is yet to be seen, however I pray that those who are not yet brainwashed by the liberal ideals of Trotsky will read Stalin’s work on the subject and understand the true danger of believing such lies.

[Marco Aiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I wanna say I enjoy this version of Stalins writing better than past ones. I was able to understand his arguments better and did not have to double take some of his words. 4.6/5

Some points in the book it did give me a good laugh because Stalin did get a little “sassy” towards the Trotskyist ideology being sarcastic towards it. I enjoy being able to pick up on emotions. 4.2/5

I think Stalins presentation of the arguments against Trotsky were decently laid out and presented well with evidence against Trotskys main character syndrome.

Stalins arguments against the Trotskyism as an ideology are decently paved also. Stalin talked about how Lenin felt towards Trotskyism and Trotsky as a person.


I think this book is a great way to start your examination of the drama between Stalin and Trotsky leading up to the death of Trotsky.

For the reason of being able to easily understand the book and its contents I give it a 5/5

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filled with distortions to create the fabrication of Leninism and Trotskyism being entirely separate entities. Completely ignoring the unity of thought that the two had post the bourgeois revolution in feb 1917.

Also the final page in which comrade stalin promises no repressive measures aged particularly well

[Mary Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly worst than Lev Kamenev's speech about Trotsky. This one is more of an exploration of the idealogy of trotskyism and the way it had evolved, which is good of course. But in terms of actually detailing why Trotsky's positions are so harmful this does very little of that.

[Kaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bayağı net.

[Aletheia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"oh lenin 😍🥰😘"
- joseph stalin

[Seren B · Rating 3 out of 5]

i choose leninism

[Animesh Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on Stalinism. Stalin declared himself as the true heir and legacy bearer of Leninism.

[Jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

damn the guy who made me read this for a silly twitter debate
i lost braincells, but fortunately reading Trotsky helped me replenish

[Emre · Rating 5 out of 5]

"İhanet kanser gibidir, vücuda girdi mi öldürmeden çıkmaz. İhanet; şan, şöhret, mevkii tanımaz. İnsanı önce en zayıf yerinden yakalanır, sonra her yeri çürür, eti kokuşur." -Devrimci Hareket

[merl · Rating 4 out of 5]

imagine having to deal with this guys absolute bullshit while building socialism for the first time ever, couldve been meaner tbh.

[Leo46 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct critique of Trotskyism, showing that Stalin was and always will be the biggest defender of Lenin. He clearly outlines both early and late Trotskyism (in relation to the October Revolution) as problematic movements to discredit and undermine Lenin and Leninism (from explicitly attacking early on to guised criticism later on). This is very important historical context about the internal disagreements within the party post-revolution, critiquing Trotsky's failures in including the poor peasantry in his theory of permanent revolution and his strategies generally along with critiquing his peculiar rhetoric in telling the history of the party and Lenin for his own means (through the division and discarding of certain periods that Trotsky himself declared the division of).