Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
The Function of the Soviets Is Ended explained
This chapter presents an article from Izviestia, the official organ of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets, arguing that the role of the Soviets is diminishing as more permanent democratic institutions like Municipal Dumas and Ze
What happens
This chapter presents an article from Izviestia, the official organ of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets, arguing that the role of the Soviets is diminishing as more permanent democratic institutions like Municipal Dumas and Zemstvos take over. The article suggests that the Soviets were a temporary shelter for democracy, and now the people are moving to more stable legislative bodies, effectively signaling the end of the Soviets' significance.
Themes in this chapter
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
The article from Izviestia explicitly argues that the Soviets should cede authority to the Municipal Dumas and Zemstvos, reflecting the ongoing struggle between revolutionary bodies and emerging democratic institutions.
Key passages
“The function of the Soviets is at an end, and the time is approaching when they must retire, with the rest of the revolutionary machinery, from the stage of a free and victorious people, whose weapons shall hereafter be the peaceful ones of political action.”
The Soviets have fulfilled their purpose and should now step aside, as the people will henceforth engage in peaceful political processes through permanent democratic institutions.
This statement encapsulates the central argument of the Izviestia article, advocating for the dissolution of Soviet power in favor of parliamentary governance.
“We ourselves are being called the 'undertakers' of our own organisation. In reality, we ourselves are the hardest workers in constructing the new Russia.”
Although critics accuse us of burying the Soviets, we are actually the ones building the foundations of a new Russia.
The author defends the Central Executive Committee's role in transitioning from revolutionary Soviets to stable democratic structures.