Main Trend

Revolutionisthemaintrendintheworldtoday.MaoZedong

Issue 1 Vol. 1

Journal of Revolutionary Marxist-Leninist Thought

Ever since World War Two, U.S. imperialism and its followers have been continuously launching wars of aggression. But the people of many countries have been continuously waging revolutionary wars to defeat their aggression. The danger of a new world war still exists, but revolution is the main trend in the world today. MAO ZEDONG
In This Issue:
The Malady
M.J. Olgin

Dare We Win?
V.I. Lenin

The United Soviet States of America

W.Z. Foster

The Malady
Moissaye J. Olgin

YOUareaworker.Youhavehadajobforanumberofyears. Yourpaywasnothigh,butyoumanagedtogetalong.You wereafaithfulworker.Younevershirked.Perhapsyousaved upafewdollarsagainstarainyday.Perhapsyoumarriedand raisedafamily.Youweredecent,lawabiding. ONENICEMORNINGyouaretoldyourservicesarenolonger needed.Inplainwords:youarefired.Youarethrownout. Thereisadepression,theysay.Theemployerhasnomore workforyou.Hecutsoperationsorheshutshisplant altogether.Whileyouremainwithoutalivelihood,hegoesto hiscountryestateorabroadtohaveagoodtime.Hedoesnot caretothinkwhatwillhappentoyou.Youplainlydonotexist forthecompanyanylonger.Ithasnoobligationstowardsits unemployed. ANDYET,cometothinkofit,youarenotastrangertothis factoryormillorshop.Youandthelikeofyouhavebuiltit. Youandthelikeofyouhavecreatedallthemachinery,allthe rawmaterialandallthefuelwhichisnecessarytorunan industry.Youandthelikeofyouarethelivepowerthatputs motionintothedeadmatterofeveryindustrialundertaking.It isyourblood,yoursweat,yourmuscleandyourbrainthatis sunkintoeverypieceofgoodsproduced.

YOUHAVEmuchatstakeinthisestablishmentyourwhole life.Itisyours,morethantheowners.Itispartofyourvery self. SUPPOSEnow,whenyouaretoldtogo,yourefusetobudge. SUPPOSEmanyofyougettogetherandsaythatyouaregoing tostaywhereyoubelongandcontinueworkingbecausethis istheonlysourceofyourlivelihood. SUPPOSEyousayyouaregoingtoproduceforthebenefitof yourselfandothers.Thisthoughtmaybestrangetoyou.Yet considerwhatwouldhappen.

 Theowner,whohasneverworkedandwhodoesnotknow howtowork,wouldcallthepolice.Mostprobablytheriot squadwouldappear.Perhapsthemilitiawouldbecalledout. THEREWOULDBECLUBSandriotgunsandteargasbombs galore.Youwouldbeclubbedandshotatandmanyofyou imprisoned,triedandconvictedforthesolecrimeof wantingtocontinueworkingatthemachinesandwiththe materialsyouandthelikeofyouhaveproduced. HASITEVEROCCURREDTOYOUthatsuchastateofaffairsis wrong? TAKEANOTHEREXAMPLE.Youareatenant.Fortenorfifteen ortwentyyearsyouhavebeenlivinginahouse.Youhavepaid yourrentregularly.Youhavepaidoffyourflatseveraltimes over.Yourlandlordsmiledatyouaslongasyouwereagood tenant.Butnowyouhavelostyourjob.Youhavenotpaidyour rentforseveralmonths.Asheriffcomes.Yourfurnitureis thrownoutonthesidewalk.Youareevicted.Yetyouknow perfectlywellthatitisntthelandlordwhobuiltthehouse.Itis youandotherslikeyouwhohaveproducedallthebuilding materialandwhohaveactuallyconstructed,thehouse. Besides,youmadethelandlordrichbyourpaymentofrents. SUPPOSENOW,yourefusetoquitthehouse.Supposeyou bandtogetherwithyourfellowtenantsanddeclareyouarenot goingtopermitanybodytodriveyououtintothestreet.You

areaproudAmerican;youwillnotallowanybodytoturnyou intoabeggar.Again,youwouldbeconfrontedwithpolice clubs,courtsandjail. Itlooksstrange.Butthismadnessistheeverydaypracticeof ourgreatandwealthycountry. NOWTHEREaresomenotionsthathavetobemadeclear beforeweproceed.Wesaidthattheownerhasnever worked.Youmaydisagreewiththisstatement.Doesnta factoryownerspenddaysanddaysinhisoffice?Doesnta bankerkeepofficehours? Doesnthegotothe countryclubandgolf linkstorestafterhis strenuouslabors?The papersandthepreachers andtheprofessorstell youthatthebusiness manisdoinghisshare inproduction.Theyeven saythatheisan indispensablepartofthe industrialorganism.This isoneofthoseincorrect notionsthatarebeing inculcatedinthemindsof ourpeoplefrom childhoodon.Infact,the

smallbusinessmanmaystilldosomeworkbyhimself:the grocerworksbehindthecounter,thecobblerworkstogether withhisfewmen.Butthebiggerthebusiness,thelesswork remainsfortheactualowner.WhatdoesMorganknowabout theoperationofrailroadsandminesandrestaurantshe controls?WhatdoesRockefellerknowaboutworkinacoal mineoranoilrefiningplant?RemoveFordfromthetopofhis pyramidandnobodywillnoticetheloss.Fordmayhavebeen instrumentalinworkinguphisbusinesslongagowiththeaid ofnumerousengineersandworkersbuthenomoreruns hisbusinessthantheroaninthemoon. BIGBUSINESS,largescaleproductionofthemoderntypeis conductedbyallkindsofspecialistswiththeaidand cooperationofworkers.Engineers,technicians,draftsmen, machinists,chemists,allkindsofexpertsaremanagingthebig industrialgiantsoftoday,andthesearehiredpeople,whilethe boardofdirectorsandtheotherbigcheesesofthe corporationonlydecideuponpolicieswhichreducethemselves mainlytomanipulatingstocks.Thesepeopleneverproduce. Theycouldberemovedwithoutanylosstoactualoperations. Andyet,itistheywhodecidetocutdownproductionorto closetheplantaltogether,deprivingboththestaffsof specialistsandtheskilledandunskilledworkersoftheirsole meansofmakingaliving.Thosewhodonotproducedecide forthosewhoproduce.

ASTOBANKERSandbrokers,realestateoperatorsand promoterstheydonotproduceanythingessentialto humanlifealthoughtheyhavethelionsshareofcontrolover production.Asamatteroffact,theyproducenothing.They transferpaperfromhandtohand.Thatpapercallit checksordeedsordraftsorsharesisaclaimtothefruitsof somebodyelseslabor. ANOTHERQUESTIONisthatofbadluck.Youhavebeen taughttothinkthatwhenyouareoutofworkitisjustyour misfortune.Businessisbad,thereisadepression,they say.Nobodyistoblameyouaregiventounderstandthat economicpowersarebeyondhumancontrol.Youaretoldthat adepressionissomethinglikeanearthquake,likea thunderstorm,likeanavalanche.Andyet,humaningenuityhas learnedhowtocontrolsomeofthemostformidableforcesof nature.Thehumanmindhasharnessedelectricity,which producesthelightning.Humanknowledgeisaccomplishing thingswhichlookmiraculous.Thetropicsandthepoles,the airandthebowelsoftheearthareallcomingundercontrolof man.Whyshouldhenotbeabletocontroltheproductionand distributionofgoodsthatarevitalforhislife.IsnttheSoviet Unionalivingexamplethatthiscanbeachieved?Whyshould therebeasituationliketheonewesufferrenderintheU.S.A. atpresentwheremillionsofablebodiedworkers,capableand willingtowork,arebeingconsumedbyidlenessandhunger, whileexcellentmachinesandmountainsofrawmaterialare lyingaroundunused?Isitsodifficultafterallforhumangenius toorganizeaconstantflowofgoodswhichwouldsatisfy

everybodysneedswithnobodycompelledtogowithoutfood, clothingandshelter?Humanityhaslearnedtomasterthe forcesofnature.Theprogressofscienceistremendous.New andevernewerinventionsaremadetoaidhumanlabor.Atthe CenturyofProgressExhibitionatChicago,theyshowed cottonpickingmachines,eachofwhichdoestheworkof16to 48men.Thereareexcavatorsandditchdiggersthatdothe workof20or30men.Between1922and1929theproductivity ofAmericanlaborincreased100percent.Whyshouldthe terriblecrashin1929havehadtocome?Whyshouldwehave hadtosufferthoselongwearyyearsofthemostterriblecrisis inthehistoryofthiscountry? WECANNOTblamethisplightofmillionsonnaturalforces. Thereisnothingnaturalinsuchasituation.Itisnotnaturalthat menshouldgohungrywhilethemeanstoproducefoodare closeathand.Itisnotnaturalthatagovernmentshouldorder thedestructionofthreeandahalfmillionbalesofcottonby plowingundertheyearsharvestontenmillionacresoflandin theSouththewayitwasdonebythegovernmentoftheU.S. A.,whilesomanyarebadlydressed.Itisnotnaturalthatthere shouldbepovertyinthemidstofplenty.Itisnotnaturalthat milkshouldbedumpedintoriverswhilebabiesarestarving.It isnotnaturalthatthemostingeniousmeansofproductionand transportationshouldberustingawaywhilethosewho producethemandcanoperatethemarebeingwastedawayby starvationanddisease.Allthisismostunnatural.Itisinsane.

ONEWORDaboutthelaw.Youhavebeentaughttorespect thelawwhichappearsintheshapeofthepolicemanorthe judge.Youweretaughtthatthisisjustice.Yetwhereisthe justiceofyourbeingthrownoutintothestreetfor nonpaymentofrent?Whereisthejusticeofyourbeing dismissedfromtheminesaftermanyyearsofwork?Whenthe ownerejectsyouforciblyfromhispremises,thisisnotcalled force;whenyouresist,theysayyouareusingforceand violence.Whenthesheriffputsyourbelongingsonthe sidewalks,thatslaw.Whenyoubreakthepadlockandreplace yourfurnitureinitsoldplace,thatsunlawful.Whyisitthat violenceagainsttheworkersislawandresistancetoviolenceis unlawful?Whyisitthatrobbingyouofyouronlysourceoflife isjusticeandprotestingagainstthisbloodyjusticeisinjustice? Somethingiswronghere,too.Apparently,allthesenotions aboutlawandorder,aboutjusticeandinjustice,aboutcrime andpunishment,aremadeintheinterests,notofyouandthe likeofyou,butintheinterestsofthosewhousethemagainst you. ONEMOREINSTANCE.Theworkersdeclareastrike.Theyhave beentoldmanytimesbymanyfinegentlementhatthereisa partnershipbetweentheownersandtheworkers,thatthey mustcooperateforthebenefitoftheindustry.Whenpartners disagreeonacertainissuetheyfightouttheirdispute.Suppose youdecidetofightitoutbyrefusingtowork.Youareentitled todosounderthelaw.Youorganizeapicketline.Yousayyou arepartnerstothisplantandyouwanttofightitoutwithyour ownemployers.Theemployerstrytobringinscabs.Yourefuse

toadmitthescabsintotheplant.Immediatelypolicearrive. Thelawprotectsthescabsandattacksthestrikers.Ifyouinsist onyourrighttokeeptheplantshut,youarefiredat,andthe historyofstrikesinAmericaisonelongtrailofbloodymurders perpetratedbythepolice,bythelawprotectingthescabs. THEREMUSTBEsomethingwronginalawthatprofesses equalityofemployerandemployeebutatthesametimeuses allitspowertooppressthelatterinfavoroftheformer.There mustbeamonstrouslieinthestatementthatemployerand employeearepartnerstothebusinessandequalbeforethe State.ThecapitalistStateitselfapparentlyissomethingvicious andcruelandnottheniceandlovelyinstitutionoffreedomit isreputedtobe. WETHINKITISurgentfortheworkerstolookmoredeeply intothesematters.Moreover,itisourdeepconvictionthat workerswhodonotconcernthemselveswiththesevital problemsaredoinggraveharmtothemselvesandtheirclass. Onlywhenyouunderstandthemaladycanyoufindtheproper cure. ThistextwasoriginallypartofalargerbookbyMossiayeOlgin entitledWhyCommunism?thatwaspublishedin1934.

Dare We Win?
V.I. Lenin PEOPLEWHOAREsuperficiallyacquaintedwiththestateof affairsinRussianSocialDemocracy,orwhojudgeasmere onlookerswithoutknowingthewholehistoryofourinternal PartystrugglesincethedaysofEconomism,veryoftenalso dismissthedisagreementsontacticswhichhavenowbecome crystallised,especiallyaftertheThirdCongress,withthesimple argumentthattherearetwonatural,inevitableandquite reconcilabletrendsineverySocialDemocraticmovement. Oneside,theysay,laysspecialemphasisontheordinary, current,everydaywork,onthenecessityofdeveloping propagandaandagitation,ofpreparingforces,deepeningthe movement,etc.,whiletheothersidelaysemphasisonthe militant,generalpolitical,revolutionarytasksofthemovement, pointstothenecessityofarmedinsurrection,advancesthe slogans:forarevolutionarydemocraticdictatorship,fora provisionalrevolutionarygovernment.Neitheronesidenorthe othershouldexaggerate,theysay;extremesarebad,both hereandthere(and,generallyspeaking,everywhereinthe world),etc.,etc. Thecheaptruismsofworldly(andpoliticalinquotation marks)wisdom,whichsuchargumentsundoubtedlycontain, toooftencoverupafailuretounderstandtheurgentandacute needsoftheParty

 WHAT,THEN,isthetrouble?Thetroubleisthat,inthefirst place,itisnotenoughtopointabstractlytothetwocurrentsin themovementandtotheharmfulnessofextremes.Onemust knowconcretelywhatthegivenmovementissufferingfromat thegiventime,whatconstitutestherealpoliticaldangertothe Partyatthepresenttime. SECONDLY,ONEMUSTknowwhatrealpoliticalforcesare profitingbythisorthattacticalsloganorperhapsbythe absenceofthisorthatslogan.TolistentothenewIskraists, onewouldarriveattheconclusionthattheSocialDemocratic Partyisthreatenedwiththedangerofthrowingoverboard propagandaandagitation,theeconomicstruggleandcriticism

ofbourgeoisdemocracy,ofbecominginordinatelyabsorbedin militarypreparations,armedattacks,theseizureofpower,etc. Actually,however,realdangeristhreateningthePartyfroman entirelydifferentquarter THEFACTisthatnotonlyisnoexcessivezealdisplayedamong uswithregardtothetasksofinsurrection,tothegeneral politicalslogansandtothematterofleadingtheentirepopular revolution,but,onthecontrary,itisbackwardnessinthisvery respectthatstandsoutmoststrikingly,constitutesour weakestspotandarealdangertothemovement,whichmay degenerate,andinsomeplacesisdegenerating,fromonethat isrevolutionaryindeedsintoonethatisrevolutionaryin words THEREVOLUTIONARYperiodhascalledforthnewtasks, whichonlythetotallyblindcanfailtosee.AndsomeSocial Democratsunhesitatinglyrecognisethesetasksandplace themontheorderoftheday,declaring:thearmed insurrectionbrooksnodelay,prepareyourselvesforit immediatelyandenergetically,rememberthatitis indispensableforadecisivevictory,issuetheslogansofa republic,ofaprovisionalgovernment,ofarevolutionary democraticdictatorshipoftheproletariatandthepeasantry. Others,however,drawback,marktime,writeprefacesinstead ofgivingslogans;insteadofpointingtothenewwhile confirmingtheold,theychewthisoldtediouslyandatgreat length,inventingpretextstoavoidthenew,unableto determinetheconditionsforadecisivevictoryortoissuethe

sloganswhichaloneareinlinewiththestrivingtoattain completevictory INREALITY,aseveryoneknows,therevolutionarySocial Democratshavenevereventhoughtofabandoningthe everyday,pettywork,themusteringofforces,etc.,etc.All theydemandedwasaclearunderstandingofthefinalaim,a clearpresentationoftherevolutionarytasks;theywantedto raisethesemiproletarianandsemipettybourgeoisstratato therevolutionaryleveloftheproletariat,nottoreducethis leveltothatofopportunistconsiderationssuchaslestthe bourgeoisierecoil. Perhapsthemostvividexpressionofthisriftbetweenthe intellectualopportunistwingandtheproletarian

revolutionarywingofthePartywasthequestion:durfenwir siegen?Darewewin?Isitpermissibleforustowin?Wouldit notbedangerousforustowin?Oughtwetowin?This question,whichseemssostrangeatfirstsight,wasraised, however,andhadtoberaised,becausetheopportunistswere afraidofvictory,werefrighteningtheproletariatawayfromit, werepredictingthattroublewouldcomeofit,wereridiculing theslogansthatstraightforwardlycalledforit THEYTOOHOWLEDthattheiropponentswereconspirators, Jacobins,thatbyplungingintopoliticstheyweredivorcing themselvesfromthemasses,thattheywerelosingsightofthe fundamentalsoftheworkingclassmovement,ignoringthe

initiativeoftheworkers,etc.,etc.Inrealitythesesupportersof theinitiativeoftheworkerswereopportunistintellectuals whotriedtofoistontheworkerstheirownnarrowand philistineconceptionofthetasksoftheproletariat.Inreality theopponentsofEconomism,aseveryonecanseefromthe oldIskra,didnotneglectorpushintothebackgroundanyof theaspectsofSocialDemocraticwork,nordidtheyintheleast forgettheeconomicstruggle;buttheywereableatthesame timetopresenttheurgentandimmediatepoliticaltasksin theirfullscopeandtheyopposedthetransformationofthe workerspartyintoaneconomicappendageoftheliberal bourgeoisie THEPROLETARIATEXPECTStofinditssalvationnotby avoidingtheclassstrugglebutbydevelopingit,bywidening it,increasingitsconsciousness,itsorganisationand determination.Whoeverdegradesthetasksofthepolitical struggletransformstheSocialDemocratfromatribuneofthe peopleintoatradeunionsecretary.Whoeverdegradesthe proletariantasksinademocraticbourgeoisrevolution transformstheSocialDemocratfromaleaderofthepeoples revolutionintoaleaderofafreelabourunion BUTWEMARXISTSshouldknowthatthereisnot,norcan therebe,anyotherpathtorealfreedomfortheproletariat andthepeasantry,thanthepathofbourgeoisfreedomand bourgeoisprogress.Wemustnotforgetthatthereisnot,nor cantherebe,atthepresenttime,anyothermeansofbringing Socialismnearer,thancompletepoliticalliberty,thana

democraticrepublic,thantherevolutionarydemocratic dictatorshipoftheproletariatandthepeasantry.Asthe representativesoftheadvancedandonlyrevolutionaryclass, revolutionarywithoutreservations,doubtsorlookingback, wemustpresenttothewholeofthepeople,aswidely,as boldlyandwiththeutmostinitiativepossible,thetasksofthe democraticrevolution.Todegradethesetasksintheorymeans makingatravestyofMarxism,distortingitinphilistinefashion, whileinpracticalpoliticsitmeansdeliveringthecauseofthe revolutionintothehandsofthebourgeoisie,whichwill inevitablyrecoilfromthetaskofconsistentlycarryingoutthe revolution.Thedifficultiesthatlieontheroadtothecomplete victoryoftherevolutionareverygreat.Noonewillbeableto blametherepresentativesoftheproletariatif,havingdone everythingintheirpower,theireffortsaredefeatedbythe resistanceofthereaction,thetreacheryofthebourgeoisie andtheignoranceofthemasses.Buteverybodyandtheclass consciousproletariataboveall,willcondemnSocial Democracyifitcurtailstherevolutionaryenergyofthe democraticrevolutionanddampensrevolutionaryardour becauseitisafraidtowin,becauseitisactuatedbythe consideration:lestthebourgeoisierecoil. REVOLUTIONSARETHElocomotivesofhistory,saidMarx. Revolutionsarethefestivalsoftheoppressedandthe exploited.Atnoothertimearethemassesofthepeopleina positiontocomeforwardsoactivelyascreatorsofanew socialorderasatatimeofrevolution.Atsuchtimesthe peoplearecapableofperformingmiracles,ifjudgedbythe

narrow,philistinescaleofgradualprogress.Buttheleadersof therevolutionarypartiesmustalsomaketheiraimsmore comprehensiveandboldatsuchatime,sothattheirslogans shallalwaysbeinadvanceoftherevolutionaryinitiativeofthe masses,serveasabeacon,revealtothemourdemocraticand socialistidealinallitsmagnitudeandsplendourandshow themtheshortestandmostdirectroutetocomplete,absolute anddecisivevictory.Letusleavetotheopportunistsofthe Osvobozhdeniyebourgeoisiethetaskofinventingroundabout, circuitouspathsofcompromiseoutoffearoftherevolution andofthedirectpath.Ifwearecompelledbyforcetodrag ourselvesalongsuchpaths,weshallbeabletofulfillourdutyin petty,everydayworkalso.Butletruthlessstrugglefirstdecide thechoiceofthepath

 WESHALLBETRAITORSandbetrayersoftherevolutionifwe donotusethisfestiveenergyofthemassesandtheir revolutionaryardourtowagearuthlessandselfsacrificing struggleforthedirectanddecisivepath.Letthebourgeois opportunistscontemplatethefuturereactionwithcravenfear. Theworkerswillnotbefrightenedeitherbythethoughtthat thereactionpromisestobeterribleorbythethoughtthatthe bourgeoisieproposestorecoil.Theworkersarenotlooking forwardtostrikingbargains,arenotaskingforsops;theyare strivingtocrushthereactionaryforceswithoutmercy,i.e.,to setuptherevolutionarydemocraticdictatorshipofthe proletariatandthepeasantry. Ofcourse,greaterdangersthreatentheshipofourPartyin stormytimesthaninperiodsofthesmoothsailingofliberal progress,whichmeansthepainfullyslowsweatingofthe workingclassbyitsexploiters.ofcourse,thetasksofthe revolutionarydemocraticdictatorshipareathousandtimes moredifficultandmorecomplicatedthanthetasksofan extremeoppositionoroftheexclusivelyparliamentary struggle.Butwhoevercandeliberatelyprefersmoothsailing andthepathofsafeoppositioninthepresentrevolutionary situationhadbetterabandonSocialDemocraticworkfora while,hadbetterwaituntiltherevolutionisover,untilthe festivedayshavepassed,whenhumdrumeverydaylifestarts againandhisnarrowroutinestandardsnolongerstrikesuch anabominablydiscordantnote,orconstitutesuchanugly distortionofthetasksoftheadvancedclass.

 ATTHEHEADofthewholeofthepeople,andparticularlyof thepeasantryforcompletefreedom,foraconsistent democraticrevolution,forarepublic!Attheheadofallthe toilersandtheexploitedforSocialism!Suchmustinpractice bethepolicyoftherevolutionaryproletariat,suchistheclass sloganwhichmustpermeateanddeterminethesolutionof everytacticalproblem,everypracticalstepoftheworkers partyduringtherevolution. ThesewereexcerptsfromthefinalchapterfromV.I.Lenins pamphletTwoTacticsofSocialDemocracyintheDemocratic Revolution.Theemphasisisourown.

United Soviet States of America

William Z. Foster

FROMCAPITALISMTOCOMMUNISM,throughthe intermediarystageofSocialism;thatisthewayAmerican society,likesocietyingeneral,isheaded.Itrepresentsthe mainlineofmarchofthehumanracetothenexthighersocial stageinitshistoricaladvance.Itisthetrendtowhichallthe economic,politicalandsocialforcesoftodayarecontributing. THEAMERICANREVOLUTION,whentheworkershavefinally seizedpower,willdevelopevenmoreswiftlyinallitsphases thanhastheRussianrevolution.ThisisbecauseintheUnited Statesobjectiveconditionsaremoreripeforrevolutionthan theywereinoldRussia.Inhiswork,Imperialism,Leninstates: Capitalism,initsimperialistphase,arrivesatthethresholdof thecompletesocializationofproduction.Tosomeextentit causesthecapitalists,whethertheylikeitorno,toenteranew socialorder,whichmarksthetransitionfromfreecompetition tothesocializationofproduction.Productionbecomessocial, butappropriationremainsprivate.Thesocialmeansof productionremaintheprivatepropertyofafew. THISMEANSTHATINsuchahighlyindustrializedcountryas theUnitedStatestheindustrialbaseforSocialismisalreadyat hand.Thegreatproblembeforetheworkersistogetthe politicalpower.TheRussianworkers,however,notonlyhadto conquerpowerbutalsotobuildagreatindustrialsystem.At

theEighthCongressof Soviets,in1920,Lenin declaredthat,Communismis theSovietpowerplusthe electrificationofthe country WHENTHEAMERICAN WORKINGCLASSactively enterstherevolutionarypath ofabolishingcapitalismitwill orientateuponthebuilding ofSoviets,notuponthe adaptationoftheexisting capitalistgovernment. Capitalistgovernmentshavenothingincommonwith proletariangovernments.Theyareespeciallyconstructed throughouttomaintaintherulershipofthebourgeoisie.Inthe revolutionarystruggletheyaresmashedandSoviet governmentsestablished,builtaccordingtotherequirements ofthetoilingmasses. THEBUILDINGOFSOVIETSisbegunnotaftertherevolution butbefore.Whentheeventualrevolutionarycrisisbecomes acutetheworkersbegintheestablishmentofSoviets.The SovietsarenotonlythefoundationofthefutureWorkers State,butalsothemaininstrumentstomobilizethemassesfor revolutionarystruggle.ThedecisionsoftheSovietsare enforcedbythearmedRedGuardoftheworkersandpeasants

andbythedirectseizureoftheindustrythroughfactory committees.ArevolutionaryAmericanworkingclasswillfollow thisgeneralcourse,whichisthewayofproletarianrevolution. THEAMERICANSOVIETgovernmentwillbeorganizedalong thebroadlinesoftheRussianSoviets.LocalSoviets,thebase ofthewholeSovietState,willbeestablishedinallcities,towns andvillages.LocalSovietscombineinthemselvesthe legislative,executiveandjudicialfunctions.Representation, basedonoccupationinsteadofresidenceandproperty,comes directlyfromtheshops,mines,farms,schools,workers organizations,army,navy,etc.Theprincipleofrecallof representativesappliesthroughout.Citizenshipisrestrictedto thosewhodousefulwork,capitalists,landlords,clericalsand othernonproducersbeingdisfranchised. THELOCALSOVIETSwillbecombinedbydirectrepresentation intocounty,state,andnationalSoviets.ThenationalSoviet government,withitscapitalinChicagoorsomeothergreat industrialcenter,willconsistofaSovietCongress,madeupof localdelegatesandmeetingannually,orasoftenasneedbe,to workoutthegeneralpoliciesofthegovernment.Betweenits meetingsthegovernmentwillbecarriedonbyabroadCentral ExecutiveCommittee,meetingeveryfewmonths.ThisC.E.C. willelectasmallPresidiumandaCouncilofCommissars,made upoftheheadsofthevariousgovernmentdepartments,who willcarryonthedaytodaywork.

THEAMERICANSOVIETgovernmentwilljoinwiththeother SovietgovernmentsinaworldSovietUnion.Therewillalso be,veryprobably,someformofcontinentalunion.The Americanrevolutionwilldoubtlesscarrywithitallthose countriesofthethreeAmericasthathavenotpreviously accomplishedtherevolution. TheSovietcourtsystemwillbesimple,speedyanddirect.The judges,chosenbythecorrespondingSoviets,willbe responsibletothem.TheSupremeCourt,insteadofbeing dictatorialandvirtuallylegislative,asintheUnitedStates,will bepurelyjuridicalandentirelyunderthecontroloftheC.E.C. Thecivilandcriminalcodeswillbesimplified,theaimbeingto proceeddirectlyandquicklytoacorrectdecision.Intheacute stagesoftherevolutionarystrugglespecialcourtstofightthe counterrevolutionwillprobablybenecessary.Thepestof lawyerswillbeabolished.Thecourtswillbeclasscourts, definitelywarringagainsttheclassenemiesofthetoilers. Theywillmakenohypocrisylikecapitalistcourts,which,while pretendingtodealoutequaljusticetoallclasses,inrealityare instrumentsofthecapitalistStatefortherepressionand exploitationofthetoilingmasses. THEAMERICANSOVIETgovernmentwillbethedictatorshipof theproletariat,adictatorshipastherevolutionary governmentoftheworkersandtoilingfarmers.Inthe proletariandictatorshiptheworkingclassistheleaderbyvirtue ofitsrevolutionaryprogram,superiororganizationandgreater numbers.Towardsthefarmers,theattitudeofthegovernment

willvaryfromanopenalliancewiththepoorfarmersand cooperationwiththemiddlefarmers,toopenhostilityagainst thebig,exploitinglandowners.Towardsthecityintelligentsia andpettybourgeoisiegenerally,itsattitudewillbeoneof friendlinessandcooperation,insofarastheseelementsbreak withtheoldorderandsupportthenew.ThenewWorkers government,aspartofitstaskofbuildingSocialism, necessarilywillhavetoholdfirmlyincheckthecounter revolutionaryelementswhoseektooverthroworsabotagethe newregime.TosupposethatthepowerfulAmericancapitalist classanditsvastnumbersofhangersonwilltamelysubmitto thelossoftheirpowertotheworkerswouldbetoignorethe wholehistoryofthatclass.Themildnessorseverityofthe repressivemeasuresusedbytheworkerstoliquidatethisclass politicallywilldependdirectlyuponthecharacterofthelatters resistance.Whilethewholetrendoftherevolutionary workersisagainstviolence,theyalwayshaveanironfistfor counterrevolution. INORDERTODEFEATtheclassenemiesoftherevolution,the counterrevolutionaryintrigueswithintheUnitedStatesand theattacksofforeigncapitalistcountriesfromwithout,the proletariandictatorshipmustbesupportedbytheorganized armedmightoftheworkers,soldiers,localmilitia,etc.Inthe earlystagesoftherevolution,evenbeforetheseizureof power,theworkerswillorganizetheRedGuard.Lateronthis looselyconstructedbodybecomesdevelopedintoafirmlyknit, welldisciplinedRedArmy.

THELEADERoftherevolutioninallitsstagesisthe Communistparty.Withitsmainbaseamongtheindustrial workers,thePartymakesablocwiththerevolutionaryfarmers andimpoverishedcitypettybourgeoisie,drawingunderits generalleadershipsuchrevolutionarygroupsandorganizations astheseclassesmayhave ASOVIETGOVERNMENTwillprovidetheworkersandpoor farmerswiththepoliticalinstrumentnecessarytodefend theirinterests.Thewholepurposeofsuchagovernmentwill betoadvancethe welfareofthosewho dousefulwork.This isnotthecasewith thepresent governmentofthe UnitedStates.Itis dominatedbythe Morgans,Mellons andotherbig bankersand industrialists.Its functionistoprotect theinterestsofthe capitalistclassin firstlinefinance capitalatthe expenseofthe workingmasses.

Everypieceoflegislation,everystrike,everydemonstrationof theunemployedillustratesthisafresh.Innomatterwhatfield, wherevertheinterestsoftheworkersareinvolved,theyfind thepowersofthegovernmentarrayedagainstthem.The Americangovernmentisasmuchthepropertyofthecapitalists astheirmills,mines,factoriesandland.OnlyaSoviet governmentcanandwillrepresentthewilloftheworkers. THEESTABLISHMENTofanAmericanSovietgovernmentwill markthebirthofrealdemocracyintheUnitedStates.Forthe firsttimethetoilerswillbefree,withindustryandthe governmentintheirownhands.Nowtheyareenslaved:the industriesandthegovernmentarethepropertyoftheruling class.Therighttovoteandallthecurrenttalkabout democracyareonlysomanyscreenstohidethecapitalist autocracyandtomakeitmorepalatabletothemasses Thevictoriousproletariatutilizestheconquestofpowerasa leverofeconomicrevolution,i.e.,therevolutionary transformationofthepropertyrelationsofcapitalisminto relationsoftheSocialistmodeofproduction.Thestarting pointofthisgreateconomicrevolutionistheexpropriationof thelandlordsandcapitalists,i.e.,theconversionofthe monopolisticpropertyofthebourgeoisieintothepropertyof theproletarianState. AFTERPROVIDINGfortheemergencydefenseand provisioningrequirements,thefirststepsofanAmerican WorkersandFarmersgovernment,whichisthedictatorship

oftheproletariat,willbedirectedtowardstherevolutionary nationalizationorsocializationofthelargeprivatelyowned andStatecapitalistundertakings. Inindustry,transportandcommunicationthiswillmeanthe immediatetakingoverbytheStateofalllargefactories,mines andpowerplants,togetherwithallmunicipalandState industries;thewholetransportservicesofrailroads, waterways,airways,electriccarlines,huslines,etc.;theentire communicationorganization,includingtelegraphs,telephones, postoffice,radio,etc. Inagricultureitwillinvolvetheearlyconfiscationofthelarge landedestatesintownandcountry,includingchurchproperty, togetherwiththeirbuildings,factories,livestock,etc.,andalso thewholebodyofforests,mineraldeposits,lakes,rivers,etc. Infinanceitwillmeanthenationalizationofthebanking systemanditsconcentrationaroundacentralStatebank;the takingoverofthedepartmentstores,chainstores,andother largewholesaleandretailtradingorganizations;thesettingup ofaStatemonopolyofforeigntrade;thecancellationofall governmentdebts,reparations,warloans,etc.,tothebig foreignandhomecapitalists THESOCIALIZATIONofthekeysectionsofindustry, commerce,agricultureandfinancewilllayasolideconomic foundationforthebuildingofSocialism.Doubtless,private propertywillsurviveinsmallfarms,inpettyindustryandin trade.Butthiswillbeonlytemporary.Withtheconsolidation

andgrowthofSocialismandthegeneralspreadofwellbeing allthelandwilleventuallyandwithoutseriousdifficultybe nationalized,andallindustrywillbeconcentratedintothe SocialistSovieteconomy THECENTRALpurposeoftherevolutionistoconquerpolitical powerfortheworkersandtofundamentallyimprovethe economicandsocialconditionsoftheproducingmasses. ImmediatelyanAmericanSovietgovernmentisestablished,the shutdownfactorieswillbeopened.Productionwillbestarted torelievetheimpoverishedworkersandfarmers.Thegreat storesofnecessities,nowpiledupandunsaleable,willbe releasedtothemasses.Theunemployedwillbefed,housed andgivenwork.Pendinganydelayinputtingtheindustriesinto fulloperation,theunemployedwillbepaidsocialinsuranceon thebasisoffullwages.ThegeneralpolicyoftheSoviet governmentwillbetoatonceputintoeffectatleastthe immediatedemandsthattheworkersarenowdemandingof capitalism,andwhichwehavediscussedintheprevious chapter.Wageswillbesharplyraised,especiallyforthelower paidcategories;thentherewillbeestablishedthe7hourday or,veryprobably,less,withacorrespondinglystillshorter workdayforyoungworkersandthoseengagedindangerous occupations;therewillalsobethedevelopmentofthesystem ofsocialinsuranceagainstunemployment,oldage,sickness, accidents,etc.,onafullwagebasis;theabolitionofthemany discriminationsagainstNegroes,women,andyoungworkersin industry;theestablishmentoffreemedicalservices,vacations forworkers,etc.

 THESOVIETGOVERNMENTwillinitiateatonceavasthousing program.Allhousesandotherbuildingswillbesocialized.The greathotels,apartments,citypalaces,countryhomes,country clubs,etc.,oftherichwillbetakenoverandutilizedbythe workersfordwellings,resthomes,childrensclubs,sanatoria, etc.Thebestoftheskyscrapers,emptiedoftheirthousandand onebrandsofparasites,willbeusedtohousethenew governmentinstitutions,thetradeunions,cooperatives, Communistparty,etc.Thefleetsofautomobilesandsteam yachtsoftherichwillbeplacedatthedispositionofthe workersorganizations.Agreatdrivewillbemadetodemolish thepresentcollectionofmiserableshacksandtenementsand buildhomesfitfortheworkerstolivein SUCHAPROGRAMisnotamatterofmerespeculation.Thisis thelinethatdevelopedintheSovietUnionanditistheone thatwilldevelophere.Eveninthefaceoftheirgigantictasks, thenecessitytobuildindustryfromthegroundupintheteeth ofworldcapitalistopposition,theRussians,havebeenable vastlytoimprovetheconditionsofthetoilersoffactoryand farm.IntheUnitedStates,however,therevolution,becauseof thesuperiorindustrialequipmenthere,willbeabletoadvance theAmericanworkersstandardsoflivingmuchmorequickly anddrastically.Itwillalsomakeitpossibletolendassistanceto themoreundevelopedcountries.Itistruethatthepowerful andruthlessAmericancapitalistclasswillseektopreventall thisbydestroyingtheindustriesduringtherevolution,which

onlyemphasizestheneedforbreakingtheirresistancethe sooner. THEABOVEmeasuresofimprovementfortheworkersand farmerswillrepresentonlyabarebeginning.Alreadythe materialconditionsareathandintheUnitedStatesforan enormousincreaseinthewellbeingofthemasses.Thebarriers tothisadvancementaretheincrediblerobberies,wastesand thegeneralidiociesofthecapitalistsystem.Therevolutionwill clearawaythismassofexploitation,inefficiencyandreaction, andwillopentheroadforsuchanindustrialdevelopmentand generalriseinmaterial andculturalstandardsof themassesasnowseems onlythestuffofdreams THEREVOLUTIONwillput astoptothewholeseries ofcapitalistleaks,wastes andthieverieswhichnow preventtherisein standardsofthemasses. Itisthemarvelofthe capitalistworldhowthe Sovietgovernment,with virtuallynoforeign credits,managestoraise themanybillions necessarytofinancethe

FiveYearPlan.Theexplanationistobefoundinthegigantic economiesinherentintheSocialistsystemasagainstthe inefficienciesandgraftsofcapitalism.Theseeconomieswillbe muchgreaterintheUnitedSovietStatesofAmerica. FIRSTOFALL,theAmericanSovietgovernment,bytaking overtheownershipofindustryandtheland,willputasudden stoptothemanifoldformsofrobbingtheworkersand farmersofmonstermassesofvalueonthebasisofprivate ownershipofthesocialmeansoflivelihood.Allformsof capitalistinterest,rentandprofitwillbeabolished.Capitalists, mortgageholders,landownersandcouponclippersperformno usefulfunctioninsociety.Theirrakeofffromindustryandthe landissheerrobbery.Thisisoneofthegreatlessonsofthe Russianrevolution.Theyareadeadlydetriment.Thefirst requirementforfurthersocialprogressistoabolishthisclass ofparasites AnAmericanSovietgovernment,stoppingthismonstrous expropriationofthetoilers,willturnthesegreatsumstothe improvementofthelivingandculturalstandardsofthe producingmasses. SECONDLY,thesettingupofaSocialistsystemwillgreatly increasetheproductiveforcesandproductionitself.By liquidatingthecontradictionbetweenthemodesofproduction andexchange,itdoesawaywitheconomiccrises,withalltheir wasteandloss.Wherethereisnocapitalistclasstodemandits profitbeforeproductionanddistributiontakeplace,andwhere

theproducersasawholereceivethefullproductoftheirlabor, therecanbenoeconomicoverproductionandcrisis. CONSEQUENTLY,unemployment,withitsterriblemiseryand suffering,willbecomeathingofthepast.Themanymillions whonowwalkthestreetsunemployedwillhavefruitfulwork todo,tothebenefitofallsociety.Withthedeadlylimitations ofthecapitalistmarketremoved,theroadwillbeopenedto virtuallyunlimitedexpansionofindustryandmass consumption.

 THIRDLY,SOCIALISMwillresultinanenormousincreasein industrialandagriculturalefficiency.Itistheproudboastof thecapitalists,particularlytheAmericans,thattheirsystem representstheacmeofeconomyandefficiency.Butthisisso untrueastobegrotesque.TheSocialistsystemofplanned production,baseduponsocialownershipofindustryandthe land,isincomparablymoreefficientthantheanarchiccapitalist systemfoundeduponprivateproperty,competitionandthe exploitationoftheworkers ITWILLLIQUIDATEthehundredsofuselessandparasitic occupations,suchaswholesalers,jobbers,andtheentirecrew ofmiddlemen,realestatesharks,stockbrokers,prohibition agents,bootleggers,advertisingspecialists,travelingsalesmen, lawyers,wholeraftsofgovernmentbureaucrats,police, clericals,andsundrycapitalistquacks,fakers,andgrafters.It willturntousefulsocialpurposestheimmensevalues consumedbythesesociallyuselesselements. SOCIALISMWILLALSOconservethenaturalresourcesofthe countrywhicharenowbeingruthlesslywastedinthemad capitalistraceforprofits.Chasepointsout,amongmany examplesofsuchcriminalwaste,thatbywrongproduction methods16billionbarrelsofpetroleumhavebeenlost;every year5billionfeetoflumberarelikewisewasted;andalthough asyetonly2%ofthetotalcoalinthiscountryhasbeenmined, 33%ofthebestbedshasbeengutted.Naturalgasandthe variousmineralsarebeingsimilarlywasted.ASoviet

governmentwill,ofcourse,putastoptothiscriminal recklessnessandhaveasoneofitsprincipalaimsthecareful conservationofallthenaturalresources. FINALLY,THEEVENTUALvictoryoftheworkersonaworld scalewillliquidatethemonster,War,withallitsagoniesand sociallosses.TheghastlybilloftheWorldWarcomprised,in termsofhumanlife,12,990,000deadandatotalcasualtylistof 33,288,000,notcountingthethirtymillionsmorewhodiedin variouscountriesfromfamineandpestilenceasaresultofthe war.Thedirectpropertylossandgeneralfinancialcostofthe warisestimatedat340billiondollars. ITISALONGthesebroadchannelsthattheAmericanSoviet governmentwillfindthemeansfortheearlyandfarreaching improvementofthetoilersstandards.Theabolitionofthe monumentalrobberyoftheworkersbythecapitalistsinallits myriadforms;theliquidationofthecapitalisteconomiccrisis, withitsmassunemploymentandgeneralcripplingofthe productiveforces;thedevelopmentofanindustrialefficiency andavolumeofproductionnowhardlydreamedof;thecareful conservationofnaturalresources;theabolitionofwar;these revolutionarymeasureswillprovidethematerialbasesfora wellbeingofthetoilingmassesoffieldandfactorynowquite unknownintheworld. ExcerptsfromFostersbookTowardSovietAmerica,1932.

While the whole trend of the revolutionary workers is against violence, they always have an iron fist for counter-revolution. William Z. Foster

Revolutions are the festivals of the oppressed and the exploitedat such times the people are capable of performing miracles.

V.I. Lenin