Remembering Com Lenin

Dr B K Kango

All over the world death centenary of Com Lenin was observed and his contribution to the working class as well as the revolutionary movement was remembered.
Com. Lenin was the leader of first successful workers revolution that is October Revolution which saw emergence of Soviet Union as a workers’ state and alternative to existing capitalist system.
Though the state power created by the great October Revolution no longer exists, its influence in the world in 20th Century cannot be denied.
All over the world the movements led by ideals of anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism and pro-socialism along with the demand for empowerment of workers and peasants were unleashed. It was the period of 1929-30 when capitalism was facing deep crisis. To get over the glut, there was an attempt to adopt welfare economic measures and policies with emphasis on government investment to create jobs and collective bargaining as they helped in distribution of wealth and creation of market. It reflected the influence world over the Great October Revolution commanded even among the western countries. Among the working class,the trade unions were also greatly empowered. It was a rare achievement and we have to remember Lenin, who recognised the strength the revolutionary forces had acquired in Russia, a country that was only a weak link in the chain of mighty nations. He also never forgot internationalism, the inalienable part of revolutionary struggle.
Communists are known as internationalists.
Many people look at the phenomenon of internationalism in the context of frequent wars among nations and power of nation state that they see. But today’s situation needs international cooperation and actions if you have to save the human society.
Three issues which confront all nations everywhere are, technology, environment and financialisation of economy. These are the issues thatcannot be resolved by any single nation state, however strong it maybe!Hence internationalism, international cooperation and understanding is what is needed.
Another area for which Com. Lenin must be remembered is his emphasis on revolutionary theory for revolution and need for strong organisation without which revolution is not possible. Objective conditions are needed but that alone is not sufficient. This was clearly demonstrated by the situation in Europe immediately after First World War because of the devastations unleashed by that war. Revolution in Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland failed because of absence of strong organisation though the objective situation was favourable whereas in Russia because of the Bolshevik party and its leadership under Lenin successfully worked for October Revolution.
Democratic centralism has been a principle that is possible only when organisation is strengthened. However, in many countries including India this principle of democratic centralism is not followed leading to multiple fractions, weakening and dividing the revolutionary movement. Too much emphasis on individualism in the name of democracy or too much emphasis on authority and control in the name of centralism and discipline will distort the organisation. Hence, a proper balance between the two is needed for a healthy and vibrant organisation. Com. Lenin was always conscious of this and worked accordingly.
While paying respect to Com. Lenin on his death anniversary we need to remember all this and work towards human alternative to exploitative anti-human system of today.