The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism · Chapter
III: Lenin, Trotsky and Gorky explained
Russell recounts his conversations with Lenin, Trotsky, and Gorky, offering contrasting portraits of the Bolshevik leaders.
What happens
Russell recounts his conversations with Lenin, Trotsky, and Gorky, offering contrasting portraits of the Bolshevik leaders. He describes Lenin as a dictatorial, theory-driven figure with a religious faith in Marxism, who dismisses democratic processes and advocates for world revolution. Trotsky impresses Russell with his intelligence and magnetic personality, while Gorky, ill and heartbroken, appeals for sympathy for Russia's suffering. Russell reflects on the dangers of fanatical belief and the incompatibility of such faith with liberty.
Themes in this chapter
Bolshevism as a Religion
Russell compares Lenin's unwavering faith in Marxism to religious martyrdom, noting that such belief justifies inflicting widespread misery.
Materialist Conception of History
Lenin's worldview is described as being entirely shaped by the materialist conception of history, which Russell sees as his 'lifeblood' and a source of his dogmatism.
Individual vs. State
Russell contrasts the Bolsheviks' dictatorial approach with Gorky's humanitarian concern for individual suffering, highlighting the tension between state ideology and personal liberty.
Characters to notice
- Lenin
Russell describes Lenin as friendly yet dictatorial, devoid of self-importance, and deeply committed to the materialist conception of history. He is skeptical of peaceful transition and advocates for world revolution.
- Trotsky
Russell finds Trotsky more impressive in intelligence and personality, with a magnetic and Napoleonic presence, though he suspects his vanity may exceed his love of power.
- Gorky
Gorky is portrayed as heartbroken and ill, supporting the Bolshevik government reluctantly, and pleading for recognition of Russia's suffering. Russell finds him the most sympathetic Russian he met.
Key passages
“He is dictatorial, calm, incapable of fear, extraordinarily devoid of self-seeking, an embodied theory.”
Russell portrays Lenin as a living embodiment of Marxist theory, calm and fearless, but dictatorial and utterly selfless.
Russell's initial impression of Lenin's character.
“I went to Russia a Communist; but contact with those who have no doubts has intensified a thousandfold my own doubts, not as to Communism in itself, but as to the wisdom of holding a creed so firmly that for its sake men are willing to inflict widespread misery.”
Russell's encounter with unwavering Bolshevik faith deepened his skepticism about the dangers of dogmatic belief, even though he still sympathized with Communist ideals.
Russell's reflection on the moral cost of fanaticism.
“He begged me, in anything I might say about Russia, always to emphasize what Russia has suffered.”
Gorky implored Russell to highlight the immense suffering of the Russian people in any account of the country.
Gorky's plea for compassion in portraying Russia's plight.