Leninism
Leninism, or Marxism-Leninism, is the Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin's variant of Marxism. Lenin argued that the proletariat can only achieve revolutionary consciousness through the efforts of a communist party that assumes the role of "revolutionary vanguard". Lenin further believed that such a party could only achieve its aims through a form of disciplined organization known as democratic centralism. Other beliefs of Lenin included the need to spread the communist revolution to other countries, a belief that imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism, and the exclusion of any compromise with the bourgeoisie.
Another chief difference between earlier Marxism and Lenin's views was that Lenin believed socialism could be established in a country which had not passed through the full development of industrial capitalism. Marx viewed the socialist revolution as arising out of the industrial proletariat. Yet Russia at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution was not primarily an industrial country; its common populace were primarily agricultural peasants, not industrial workers. Marxist critics of Leninism held that the Bolshevik program was contrary to Marx's theory of history.
The policies of Leninism were superseded in the Soviet Union by Stalinism.
Lenin's views can be found in several of his written works, including:
What is to be Done? Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism
Marxism-Leninism is a term often used in place of Leninism, because Leninism is primarily a political strategy developed by Lenin, that relies heavily on the political theory of Marxism.
Among the innovations of Marxism-Leninism is an explanation of why social revolutions which had been predicted by Marx had not occurred in the world's more advanced economies. According to Lenin the developed economies had delayed communist revolution by relying on imperialism and colonialism to gather resources which would prevent revolution. One consequence is that revolution would first occur in advanced economies which did not have sources of raw materials based on imperialism and colonialism (i.e. Russia).
Another innovation of Marxism-Leninism is the belief in a necessity of a Communist Party which would be the vanguard of the proletariat and hasten the socialist revolution. This party would be highly centralized with decisions based on democratic centralism.