Gregory Maximoff's Guillotine at Work examines Lenin's consolidation of power in Russia. Maximoff argues that Lenin, using the writings of Marx and Engels as justification, implemented a totalitarian regime. This involved the suppression of political opponents, including Social Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, and Anarchists, through violence and terror. The text details the methods employed to achieve this "Dictatorship of the Proletariat," highlighting the contradiction between the ideals of freedom and equality and the brutal reality of Lenin's rule. The author concludes that Lenin's actions constituted an absolutist despotism, far removed from the democratic ideals initially espoused. This chapter 2 from Gregory' Maximoff's Guillotine at Work details extreme violent nature of Marxist ideology. We highly recommend to read the original text for all the references. This is only a podcast and some important notes. Reading original text is always more rewarding.
Summary of Chapter II of Gregory Maximoff's “Guillotine at Work”
This document summarises the core arguments presented in Chapter II of Gregory Maximoff’s “Guillotine at Work”. Maximoff argues that Lenin, despite advocating for a form of democracy in the Paris Commune, deliberately established an absolutist and terroristic state in Russia, drawing upon and misinterpreting Marxist theory to justify his actions. He contends that Lenin’s state, under the guise of “Dictatorship of the Proletariat”, became a vehicle for suppressing not only enemies but also anyone deemed an “adversary,” ultimately resulting in the enslavement and oppression of the vast majority of the population. Maximoff highlights the use of terror, starvation, and manipulation of the masses to maintain power.
- The Distortion of Marxist Theory: Maximoff argues that Lenin selectively interpreted Marx and Engels to justify his authoritarian approach. Quotes include:
- “The carrying out of the most vigorous centralization of present-day Germany should become the task of a truly revolutionary party.”
- “Since our state is only a transitional institution... it would be sheer nonsense to speak of a free state of the people.”
- The Nature of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat": Lenin’s concept became a means of absolute power. Quote: “The revolutionary Dictatorship of the Proletariat is the power conquered by the proletariat and maintained through violence over the bourgeoisie, it is a power unbound by laws.”
- The Evolution of the "Adversary": Initially targeting the bourgeoisie, Lenin’s state expanded the definition of "adversary" to include socialists, anarchists, independent trade unions, and eventually the peasantry. Maximoff states, “all 'adversaries' must be disfranchised and deprived of their liberties.”
- The Centralisation of Power and the Cult of Personality: Power became concentrated in Lenin and the Bolshevik party, transforming Lenin into a “Marxist Louis XIV.” Maximoff quotes, “The State—that is I and only I.”
- Suppression of Dissent and Freedoms: Opposition parties and freedoms, such as the press, association, and thought, were systematically crushed. Maximoff highlights Lenin’s stance: “Freedom and equality became bourgeois prejudices standing in the way of the new construction.”
- The Use of Terror and Violence: Lenin embraced terror, referencing admiration for the Jacobin terror of the French Revolution. Quote: “The great bourgeois revolutionists of France... made their revolution great by the use of terror.”
- The Terror of Starvation: Lenin used grain monopolies and rationing as tools of terror. Quote: “The grain monopoly... is the most powerful means of control and accounting.”
- The Deceptive Propaganda Machine: The Bolsheviks used propaganda to demonize opposition. Maximoff states, “Slanders, lies, deceit... outstripping the propaganda methods of the pre-October period.”
- The Paradox of "Slaveholder Democracy": Lenin’s “proletarian democracy” enslaved the majority in the name of future freedom. Maximoff describes it as a “slaveholders’ democracy.”
- Rejection of Revolutionary Ideals: Maximoff concludes that Lenin betrayed the initial goals of the revolution, becoming “the opposite of Lenin of 1917.”
Key Quotes:
- “The State it is we... the Party—that is I and only I.”
- “The revolutionary Dictatorship of the Proletariat... is a power unbound by laws.”
- “The nearer we come to the full military suppression of the bourgeoisie... the more dangerous becomes to us the high flood of petty-bourgeois Anarchism.”
- “The grain monopoly... is the most powerful means of control and accounting.”
- “A ruthless exposure of the petty-bourgeois democratic prejudices in regard to freedom and equality.”
Conclusion: Maximoff portrays Lenin as a cynical and power-hungry leader who perverted Marxist ideology to create a tyrannical state. He argues that this state, far from liberating the proletariat, suppressed and enslaved it, using violence and starvation to maintain control. This chapter provides a counter-narrative to official Soviet accounts, suggesting that Lenin’s actions were choices made to institute absolutist state control, betraying the promises of freedom initially made.
Timeline of Events (1917-1921)
- 1917 (Pre-October):
- Lenin advocates for the abolition of the death penalty and criticises the Provisional Government for its policies.
- Lenin studies the French Revolution and the concept of terror as a tool of revolution.
- Lenin writes in September that the French Revolution became great due to terror.
- October 25 (November 7): Bolsheviks seize power in Russia. Lenin begins implementing his interpretation of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat".
- Post-October 1917:
- Lenin, despite his previous stance, is secretly angered by the abolition of the death penalty.
- The Bolsheviks reject the idea of a coalition government with other socialist parties.
- The Bolsheviks start implementing a centralised state aimed at violently suppressing adversaries.
- Lenin begins to see Anarchists and Anarcho-Syndicalists as "bourgeois movements".
- December 1: The Cadet Party is declared "enemies of the people".
- December: Lenin cites the French Revolution to justify outlawing the Cadet Party.
- 1918:
- January 11: Lenin states the Left Social-Revolutionaries are the only party expressing the interests of the peasants.
- April 12: Bolshevik authorities launch a military crackdown on the Anarchist movement.
- April 29 (Approx.): The Bolsheviks intensify propaganda against opposition parties.
- June 14: Social Revolutionists and Social Democrats are expelled from the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and declared "enemies of the people".
- Mid-1918: Lenin denounces workers demanding better food provision as "scoundrels sold to the bourgeoisie".
- November: The "kombieds" (committees of poor peasants) are dissolved due to their destructive actions.
- 1921:
- Lenin reiterates the need to use “barbarous means of struggle against barbarity” in his pamphlet On the Grain Tax.
Cast of Characters
- Lenin (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov): Leader of the Bolshevik Party, portrayed as prioritising centralised power over freedom and equality.
- Karl Marx: German philosopher and revolutionary socialist, whose works laid the foundation for Marxist ideology.
- Friedrich Engels: German philosopher and co-author of The Communist Manifesto.
- Louis XIV: French king compared to Lenin as a symbol of despotism.
- General Krasnov: Counter-revolutionary general who was captured and later released.
- Mirbach: German Ambassador assassinated by Left Social-Revolutionaries.
- Trotsky (Leon Trotsky): Prominent Bolshevik leader who shared an anecdote about Lenin’s reaction to the abolition of the death penalty.
- Kamenev (Lev Kamenev): Bolshevik leader who published the decree abolishing the death penalty.
- Kautsky (Karl Kautsky): German socialist theorist criticised by Lenin.
- Peter the Great: Russian Tsar used as a comparison to Lenin for implementing “barbarous means” of state control.
- Khodounov: Anarchist leader assassinated by Bolshevik authorities.
- Kerensky (Alexander Kerensky): Leader of the Provisional Government, contrasted with Lenin.
Important Notes
- Author's Perspective: The text is highly critical of Lenin, portraying him as betraying socialist ideals.
- "Adversaries" vs "Enemies": "Enemies" refers to the capitalist class, while "adversaries" includes anyone opposing the Bolsheviks.
- Historical Context: This interpretation highlights Bolshevik repression but should be compared with other sources for a balanced view.