Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 1912-16


GAZETA ROBOTNICZA’S[1] THESES ON IMPERIALISM
AND NATIONAL OPPRESSION (SUMMARY)

I (1) Definition of imperialism (economic).
Alteration of frontiers.
The “national state”. (Was) not the sole form
(under certain conditions + state of nationalities) colonies
and contributions
annexations—intensification of national op-
pression

(2) (Contradicts working-class interests)...
(especially of oppressed nations)
(revanche)

(3) Against annexations and national oppression (must be
vigorously combated (energisch bekämpfen))
(socialism does not need colonies)
against peace with annexations

(4)
(1)
(2)
(3)

(5)
The struggle against forcible domination consists in
rejection of defence of the fatherland....
exposure (Denunzierung) of national oppression
the struggle with moral coercion against the national
movement
Imperialism cannot be transformed in a way that would
accord with the interests of the working class
imperialism cannot be purged of national oppression;
only socialism ... the struggle must be revolutionary
and, under socialism, for joint determination,
not self-determination,
no delay, no holding out hopes.


II (1)
(2)


(3)





(4)
There can be no freedom of nations under capitalism
Self-determination presupposes classless society,
presupposes isolation of nations
utopia.
There must be no utopias in the programme
“it raises unrealisable hopes of capitalism’s ability
to adapt itself
in a “national-reformist” manner
what is required is...
clear-cut, undisguised socialism.
Do not need these abstract “rights”...
a relic of petty-bourgeois democratic ideology....

Notes

[1] E. Philippovich’s article “Monopolies and Monopoly Policy” was published in Karl Grünberg’s Archiv für die Geschichte des Sozialismus und der Arbeiterbewegung, Vol. VI, 1916, pp. 157-74


LEUTHNER, “RUSSIAN NATIONAL IMPERIALISM” | IMPERIALISM AND THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT

Works Index | Volume 39 | Collected Works | L.I.A. Index
< Backward Forward >