the workers' opposition

8/13/2019 The Workers' Opposition

1/40

Alexandra Kollontai

The Workers’ Opposition

Written: early 1921

First Published: Pravda, January 25, 1921. The text was banned in o!iet "ussia in #ar$h o% 1921,

by resolution o% the 1&th 'on(ress o% the 'o))unist Party.

our$e: Solidarity *+ondon Pa)-hlet no., 19/10 taen %ro) the ori(inal n(lish -ubli$ation:

Workers ' Dreadnought *by yl!ia Panhurst, A-ril 22 3 Au(ust 19, 1921


2/40

'ontents:

4ntrodu$tion

4ndi!idual or 'olle$ti!e #ana(e)ent The Trade 6nions: Their "ole 7 Proble)s

8n ureau$ra$y 7 el%3a$ti!ity o% The #asses

A--endix: a$(round on the Worers 8--osition

http://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/intro.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch02.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch03.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/w/o.htm#workers-oppositionhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/intro.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch02.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/1921/workers-opposition/ch03.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/w/o.htm#workers-opposition


3/40

Introduction

I

Alexandra Kollontais text The Worers 8--osition was written in "ussian, durin( the early wees

o% 1921. 4t was an atte)-t to (i!e a )ore detailed ;usti%i$ation to the Theses on the Trade 6nion

e$hoslo!aia /@, and the s-read o% le%t3$o))unist ideas in the

wae o% the student unrest o% the 19/&s all $ontributed to )ain( the debate on the nature o% the

o!iet state )ore !i(orous and i)-ortant. ?en$e a se$ond edition in 19/@, and now a third one.

II

We are not re-rintin( this text be$ause we a(ree with the analysis $ontained in it *in )any res-e$ts

we do not, as will be )ade $lear in the rest o% this 4ntrodu$tion, but rather be$ause o% the i)-ortan$e

o% the text itsel% in relation to the uestion o% the $auses o% the de(eneration o% the "ussianre!olution.

#u$h )ore is now a!ailable than 2& years a(o $on$ernin( the darer sides o% the "ussian re!olution

be%ore +enins death. =aniels, A!ri$h, Boline, rinton and others ha!e shattered the )yth o% talin

bein( )ainly res-onsible %or the de(eneration o% a re!olution whi$h 3 a$$ordin( to the )yth 3 had

re)ained %unda)entally sound under +enins leadershi-. !en Trotsyist historians ha!e had to (i!e

u- the )yth *see +ieb)ans re$ent +eninis) under +enin. The -re3192C $loset has turned out to

$ontain an i)-ressi!e nu)ber o% seletons. *The olidarity %ootnotes 3 written in 19/1 3 whi$h

%ollow Kollontais text )ay be use%ul to those not a$uainted with the wors re%erred to abo!e0 they

su--ly so)e basi$ in%or)ation on the %a$ts Kollontai re%ers to, and they start to ex-lore the role o%

olshe!i ideolo(y and -ra$ti$e in the de(eneration o% the "ussian re!olution. The interested reader)ay also want to read Paul 'ardans -re%a$e to the Fren$h translation o% this text, re-ublished as a

olidarity -a)-hlet: Fro) olshe!is) to ureau$ra$y.

ut nothin( $an substitute %or the %la!our o% the ori(inal do$u)ents, testi%yin( to how histori$al

e!ents were -er$ei!ed by their $onte)-oraries. Kollontais text, an ad)irable blend o% seriousness

and sar$as), o% analysis and in!ol!e)ent, o% $larity and -assion, is -robably the li!eliest and )ost

interestin( do$u)ent showin( that, e!en a)on( leadin( olshe!is and as early as 192&, i.e. nearly

%our years be%ore +enins death, a $ons$iousness was s-readin( that the Partys -oli$ies did not

re%le$t the interests o% the worin( $lass: the syste)ati$ !iolation o% the -rin$i-les o% de)o$ra$y and

worin( $lass -ower at the -oint o% -rodu$tion was ha!in( its e%%e$ts on )any ran3and3%ile

)e)bers and on a %ew leaders.


4/40

The Worers 8--osition is an in$isi!e $ritiue o% the de!elo-in( bureau$ra$y. 4t is a $ritiue whi$h,

in s-ite o% a nu)ber o% li)itations to be dis$ussed below, is %ar )ore -enetratin( and radi$al than

those o% the !arious tenden$ies inside the olshe!i Party whi$h, %or one reason or another, were 3

a%ter +enins death 3 to o--ose talins Dusur-ationD o% the "ussian re!olution. 4t is %ull o% (li)-ses

o% a dis)al situation where there is no de)o$ra$y and little %reedo) o% o-inion and $riti$is)0 where

the worers ha!e already been totally ex-ro-riated o% all -ower to de$ide *e!en on s)all thin(s lieeui--in( a dinin( roo) or or(ani>in( a nursery0 where the Party and o!iet bureau$rats already

en;oy $onsiderable -ri!ile(es *see the dis$ussion o% housin(0 and where $o)rades who dare to

disa(ree with de$rees %ro) abo!e are still bein( -erse$uted *noti$e the word still , had -erse$ution o%

dissentin( $o)rades then already been (oin( on %or a lon( ti)e. This is a -i$ture usually

asso$iated with talinist, rather than +eninist, "ussia. 4t is also interestin( that the re)edies

su((ested by Kollontai $ontain so)e de)ands now usually rather asso$iated with the anar$hist

tradition: de$isions should $o)e %ro) below0 -ersons in a -osition o% -ower should be ele$ted by,

res-onsible to, and re!o$able by, those a%%e$ted by their de$isions, the $reati!ity o% the

re!olutionaries )ust be $onsidered the (reatest resour$e %or the ad!i$e o% the re!olution, and )ust

not be sti%led by dele(atin( de$isions to bureau$rats, and so on.

III

The )ain interest o% this text, then, lies in that it $learly de)onstrates the extent o% bureau$rati>ation

already -resent in "ussia in 192&. ut there is another reason why it is i)-ortant: this text shows the

inability o% e!en a le%tist and inde-endent thiner lie Kollontai to -er$ei!e so)e $ru$ial as-e$ts o%

bureau$rati>ation, the reason -robably bein( her still lar(ely #arxist analyti$al %ra)ewor.

Kollontais analysis is !ery si)ilar to *in %a$t, it is -robably one o% the sour$es o% the later theories

attributin( the de(eneration o% the Party to una!oidable %a$tors lie the ba$wardness o% "ussia, the

s)all relati!e si>e o% the worin( $lass, and the 'i!il War. ?er dia(nosis o% the $ause o%

bureau$rati>ation is $entred on the -enetration o% non3worin(3$lass ele)ents into the Party: -easants, and bour(eois ele)ents *s-e$ialists and the lie. Eon3olshe!i, as she is in her %aith in

the worin( $lass and in the -ri)a$y o% $lass o!er Party, she is still a #arxist and a olshe!i in her

belie% that the $lass ori(in o% the )e)bers o% a -oliti$al or(ani>ation is the only rele!ant %a$tor

deter)inin( the or(ani>ations -oli$ies. The worin( $lass, a$$ordin( to her analysis, is (ood0 other

$lasses are e!il0 the olshe!i Partys basi$ -rin$i-les are sound, its leadershi- is re!olutionary0 i%

the Party were )ade u- o% worers only, there would be no need to worry. ut 3 so the ar(u)ent

went on 3 as the Party is not only )ade u- o% worers and $old not be, in the "ussian $onditions o%

the ti)e 3 the worers had to -rote$t the)sel!es %ro) their -arty. This, it was belie!ed, $ould be

a$hie!ed by ex-ellin( non3-roletarian ele)ents. 4t was also $on$luded that )ore -ower should be

(i!en to the trade unions, whose -ersonnel $o)es %ro) the worin( $lass: There, the $lass

at)os-here is Dthi$erD.

ut %ro) Kollontais text itsel% it e)er(es that the (reat )a;ority o% olshe!i leaders *and

-resu)ably o% $adres too 3 (i!en the li)ited su$$ess o% the Worers 8--osition -ro-a(anda

$a)-ai(n distrusted the worers, were in %a!our o% the Party $ontrollin( e!erythin(, wanted Done3

)an )ana(e)entD, %a!oured the a--oint)ent -rin$i-le as a(ainst the ele$tion -rin$i-le, and

$on$ei!ed o% the trade unions si)-ly as one )ore $oer$i!e a--aratus to (et the worers to wor

harder. The $onsisten$y o% all the -ositions with the basi$ tenets o% olshe!i #arxis) *the worers

by the)sel!es $an only de!elo- a trade union $ons$iousness, the Party is the $olle$ti!e

$ons$iousness o% the worin( $lass, the de!elo-)ent o% the %or$es o% -rodu$tion has absolute

-riority, et$. is indis-utable. Kollontais -res$ri-tions a)ounted to a re;e$tion o% those tenets. This

re;e$tion, i% exa)ined $are%ully, would ha!e $o)e to i)-ly that:


5/40

*1 or(ani>ations de!elo- dyna)i$s o% their own, de-endin( on their ideolo(y, stru$ture and -ower,

*2 the ideolo(y, stru$ture and -ower o% the olshe!i Party was e)inently %a!ourable to

bureau$rati>ation, i.e. to the de!elo-)ent o% !ested interests in seein( and de%endin( -ri!ile(es !ia

the )ono-oly o% de$isional -ower.

ut then Kollontai would ha!e had to ad)it that olshe!i ideolo(y and or(ani>ational stru$ture

$ould the)sel!es 3 and within a %ew )onths 3 turn the best worers into bureau$rats. olshe!is)

would ha!e stood a$$used o% bein( itsel% a $ause o% the de(eneration o% the re!olution.

IV

4t is doubt%ul that Kollontai had reali>ed the )ore (eneral i)-li$ations o% what she was ar(uin(. 4n

this text, she does not re$o(nise the %a$t that the olshe!i Party $ould *and did de(enerate uite

a-art %ro) any in%iltrations o% non3re!olutionary ele)ents, that its -oli$ies, %ro) the !ery in$e-tion

o% the re!olution, ai)ed at de-ri!in( the worers o% any real de$isional authority, and a$ti!ely$ontributed to the worers retreat %ro) the histori$al sta(e.

A(ain, she should not ha!e identi%ied, as she i)-li$itly does, worers )ana(e)ent o% -rodu$tion

with )ana(e)ent by the unions. y 1921 the "ussian unions were already stron(ly under Party

$ontrol, and already in an ad!an$ed sta(e o% bureau$rati>ation. As rinton has shown in detail, the

olshe!i -oli$y in the %irst year or so a%ter the re!olution was to re)o!e all uestions o% industrial

)ana(e)ent %ro) the hands o% autono)ous worers $o))ittees and !est the) in the hands o% the

unions or other De$ono)i$D or(ani>ations. At a later sta(e *%ro) about 1919 on the olshe!is were

to shed e!en the -reten$e o% union $ontrol and sou(ht %ir)ly to -la$e all )atters o% industrial -oli$y

dire$tly in the hands o% the Party. Whether Kollontai and the Worers 8--osition reali>ed it or not,

their -rotest on this uestion was really only ai)ed at this se$ond -hase o% olshe!i -oli$y.

4t $an ob!iously be ar(ued that Kollontai was not s-eain( her whole )ind, but rather )oderatin(

her $riti$is)s and de)ands %or ta$ti$al reasons: she )ust ha!e nown, it $ould be ar(ued, that she

was soundin( already extre)ist enou(h 3 +enin, in %a$t, a$$used her text o% -etty3bour(eois

anar$his)0 and that the union a--aratus, althou(h %ar %ro) ideal, was the only si(ni%i$ant

or(ani>ational stru$ture where the Worers 8--osition )i(ht %ind su--ort. ut the subseuent

a$tions o% )any )e)bers o% the Worers 8--osition su((est that they were not )ore radi$al than

this text i)-lies. They were ready to li)it, but not to endan(er, the -ri)a$y o% the Party, as shown

by the %a$t that )any o% the) denoun$ed the Kronstadt u-risin( and e!en %ou(ht a(ainst the sailors.

Thus, there see)s to be a si(ni%i$ant di%%eren$e between the Kronstadt rebels and the Worers8--osition: the latter did not de%end the ri(ht o% other -arties to exist *and there%ore, -resu)ably, to

su--lant the olshe!i Party i% de)o$rati$ ele$tions so de$ided. Their de)o$rati$ as-irations were

$onsiderably )ore li)ited than those o% the Kronstadt sailors. All o--osition had to be within the

Party. This )ay hel- ex-lain why, on the whole, they do not see) to ha!e -ut u- a tou(h stru((le

a(ainst the de$ision to dissol!e the) as an or(anised (rou-, and why )any o% the) re)ained

olshe!i to the end, in$ludin( Alexandra Kollontai.

V

8ur 4ntrodu$tion to the -re!ious re-rint $on$luded with the %ollowin( words:


6/40

Doth ast and West, the worin( $lass has 3 durin( the last %i%ty years 3 (one throu(h a tre)endous

ex-erien$e: the ex-erien$e o% its own leadershi-s, in %a$t o% all leadershi-s $lai)in( to a$t on its

behal%. And dee- down it is be(innin( to draw the lessons o% a whole histori$al e-o$h. These are that

its e)an$i-ation will only be a$hie!ed and )aintained throu(h its own sustained e%%orts. 8!er a

hundred years a(o #arx and n(els wrote that the e)an$i-ation o% the worin( $lass is the tas o%

the worin( $lass itsel% and that the -roletarian )o!e)ent was the sel%3$ons$ious, inde-endent)o!e)ent o% the i))ense )a;ority. 4n 1921 Alexandra Kollontai and the Worers 8--osition

-er$ei!ed so)e as-e$ts o% this essential truth throu(h the terrible ex-erien$e o% the bureau$rati$

$ounter3re!olution. Today, a%ter the o-en ad)issions o% the 2&th and 22nd 'on(resses o% the 'P6,

a%ter what the whole world witnessed in ?un(ary and '>e$hoslo!aia, and a%ter the innu)erable and

as yet undo$u)ented horrors o% the talin e-o$h *and o% the -eriod i))ediately -re$edin( it, it is

the tas o% re!olutionaries to tae a dis-assionate loo at reality, to draw all the lessons and

%earlessly to -ro$lai) the)D

These lines no lon(er see) to be satis%a$tory as a $on$lusion. They re%le$t the $on$erns whi$h were

$entral to olidaritys a$ti!ity at the ti)e 3 na)ely, the e%%ort to -ersuade re!olutionaries that the

disdain o% de)o$ra$y, the $ult o% leaders, the )ani-ulatory ta$ti$s, whi$h the #arxist )o!e)ent hadinherited %ro) talinis), had their roots in +eninis) itsel%. This truth is now )u$h )ore widely

a$$e-ted, es-e$ially in those $ountries whi$h ha!e ex-erien$ed a radi$al student )o!e)ent. The

renewed interest in anar$his), the hi--ies in the 6A, "udi =uts$he in er)any, the

4nternationals ituationniste and 'ohn3endit in Fran$e, the D)etro-olitan redsinsD in 19 in 4taly,

;ust to (i!e a %ew exa)-les, testi%y to the s-read o% the re%usal o% +eninis) indeed, in )any $ases, o%

#arxis) itsel%. The sa)e holds true %or lar(e a$tions o% the wo)ens )o!e)ent.

As we oursel!es de!elo-ed an in$reasin(ly $riti$al attitude towards #arxis), we $ould not a!oid

re$onsiderin( the role assi(ned by #arxis) to the worin( $lass. 8ur -resent o-inions on this issue

are not unani)ous. 4, %or one, %eel uneasy at the si)-listi$ %aith in the worin( $lass ex-ressed by

those $on$ludin( lines. They %ollow Kollontai in treatin( the worers as a ho)o(eneous whole, all

%unda)entally re!olutionary0 while the other so$ial (rou-s, by i)-li$ation, are $lassi%ied as $ounter3

re!olutionary. 8n this se$ond -oint, in her own ti)e, Kollontai was ;usti%ied enou(h0 on the %irst, she

was not. Already then, within the worin( $lass there were di!isions and hierar$hies, the )ost

si(ni%i$ant one bein( between the older, -oliti$ally edu$ated, silled worers and the re$ently

arri!ed, unsilled ones, the latter were al)ost absent %ro) the 19131@ Fa$tory 'o))ittees, and

there is e!iden$e that the silled worers %elt they were entitled to leadershi- o!er the), and that

%ri$tions between the two strata were %reuent.

The le%t3$o))unist and libertarian traditions see) to ha!e -aid too little attention to the internal

di!ision o% the worin( $lass. Get, in tryin( to de%ine the worin( $lass, the %ollowin( dile))a isine!itable: the )ore one tries to )ini)i>e the internal di!isions and di!er(ent interests o% the

worin( $lass, the s)aller the worin( $lass )ust be taen to be *it is only hal% a ;oe to say that, in

the 6A, a ho)o(eneous worin( $lass without -ri!ile(ed strata would in$lude bla$ unsilled

wo)en worers only0 the lar(er one tries to )ae the worin( $lass the )ore e!ident internal

$lea!a(es and $ontrasts be$o)e. !en the best atte)-ts to -ro!e that the worin( $lass is not a

)inority o% the worin( -o-ulation *e.(. ra!er)ans +abour and #ono-oly 'a-ital, #onthly

"e!iew Press, 19H sto- %ar short o% de)onstratin( its $a-a$ity %or -oliti$al unity. 4t is not

ne$essary to re%er to ra$ial di!ision in the 6A to now that hierar$hies and di!ision exist within the

worin( $lass. For instan$e, better3-aid worers usually bitterly o--ose redu$tions in di%%erentials. 4%

une)-loy)ent $an be )ade to %all on ethni$ )inorities or i))i(rants, ra$is) or nationalis) o%ten

de!elo- a)on( the e)-loyed white or non3 i))i(rant worers. The $on$e-t o% D+abouraristo$ra$yD, $riti$i>able as it )ay be, was born out o% real histori$al -roble)s.


7/40

These di!isions $ause so)e -arts o% the worin( $lass to be luewar) or $old about radi$al stru((les

when these )ay endan(er so)e o% their own -ri!ile(es *s)all as these )ay be, and resist radi$al

ideolo(ies whi$h $riti$ise these -ri!ile(es. The !ested interests o% so)e se$tions o% the worin( $lass

surely had a role in the birth o% so )any worin( $lass or(ani>ations and leadershi-s whi$h loo

abo)inable to a libertarian. And in so %ar as these di!isions are the result o% $ons$ious a$tion by the

$a-italists to di!ide and rule *%or instan$e the $ons$ious %osterin( o% Pai3bashin(, or o% hierar$hiesin the %a$tory, $reated by )ana(e)ent, with little ob;e$ti!e base, but internali>ed by the worers

they testi%y to a weaness o% the worin( $lass, unable to -re!ent the di!ision %ro) be$o)in(

established and -er)eatin( its way o% thinin(. 'onsiderin( these weanesses, one should not be

sur-rise to dis$o!er that )any worers ha!e internali>ed $onser!ati!e !alues and )odes o%

beha!iour, and that )any ha!e o-ted %or se$tional stru((les rather than stru((les %or the better)ent

o% the whole $lass: with the $onseuent de!elo-)ent o% indi!idualis), $yni$is), so)eti)es ra$is),

et$. #ore %reuently, one should ex-e$t to %ind a sense o% i)-oten$e, a %atalisti$ -essi)is).

6n%ortunately, reality o%ten $on%ir)s these ex-e$tations.

+u$ily, theoreti$al analysis and re$ent stru((les $on!er(e in de)onstratin( the in$reasin(

i)-ortan$e o% $on$erns whi$h are not s-e$i%i$ to the trade DtraditionalD worin( $lass -redi$a)ent*and on whi$h, by the way, #arxis) has !ery little to say: sexis), bureau$ra$y, authoritarianis),

ra$is), nationalis), un%reedo) ast and West, et$. *it should be $lear why )any youn( worers do

not see the)sel!es as -art o% the worin( $lass: they do not %eel that bein( a worer is the $entral,

de%inin( ele)ent o% their -ersonalities. There is no reason why radi$al stru((les on these to-i$s

should )obili>e only or )ainly worers *so %ar, in %a$t, they ha!e not. They $an *as in #ay /@ in

Fran$e a$t as a $atalyst, de$rease the e$ono)ist and $or-oration o% worin( $lass stru((les, and

%a!our a return to )ore radi$al as-irations $on$ernin( wor too0 but they are also i)-ortant in

the)sel!es 3 -re$isely be$ause wor and -rodu$tion are only one o% the real)s o% so$ial li%e whi$h

need re!olutioni>in(.

o, unuali%ied re%eren$es to the traditional belie% in Dthe re!olutionary role and re!olutionary

-otential o% the worin( $lassD are not only la$in( in a solid theoreti$al base, but are also

dan(erous. They nurture an un;usti%ied o-ti)is) on the stren(th and unity o% the worers. And with

it they breed )ythi$al ho-es with $onseuent waste o% ener(ies, disillusion)ent, des-air, et$.0 they

%a!our a la$ o% $riti$al attitude towards the ne(ati!e sides o% worers $ulture and a$ti!ity *or

-assi!ity0 they de$rease the in$enti!e to loo %or the $auses o% the worers weanesses and %or

ways o% %i(htin( the). Perha-s e!en )ore dan(erous, they %a!our a disdain or outri(ht o--osition

towards the new stru((les *sexual, e$olo(i$al, anti3authoritarian, a)on( students, in -risons, in

)ental hos-itals, et$., es-e$ially when worers re)ain indi%%erent or hostile to the) *how )any

)ilitants or ran3and3%ile -a-ers a$ti!ely %i(ht the re-ression o% ho)osexuals a)on( worers.

And, at a )ore subtle le!el, by extollin( worers be$ause they are worers, they ris rein%or$in( the$a-italist )orality o% -rodu$ti!ity 3 o% wor as the essen$e o% hu)anity and hen$e both a duty and

so)ethin( )eritorious. 8ne should rather try to s-read the re%usal o% wor and o% the wor ethi$, a

hatred o% wor as it is at Present.

8ne tas o% re!olutionaries re)ains Dto tae a dis-assionate loo at reality, to draw all the lessons

and %earlessly to -ro$lai) the)D. The -ro!isional $on$lusions o% atte)-tin( to do so see) to be that

radi$al thou(ht, nowadays, has no si)-le %or)ulas, no $lear allies. Eo one, and no so$ial (rou-, is

entitled to a -ri!ile(ed role. ut the other side o% this situation is that o--osition to -resent so$iety is

wides-read in )any )ore strata and (rou-s than be%ore. DThe -ossibilities are nowadays at least as

(reat as the des-airD ?orhei)er wrote in 19HC. +et us ex-lore and ex-loit these -ossibilities at us

and the $ra$s in the so$ial stru$ture whi$h our wed(es $an widen.


8/40

Theleme Anarres

Solidarity (London) comment

T. A. ass $o(ent uestions about Dthe worin( $lass whi$h we ex-e$t to dis$uss %urther within

olidarity. As he su((ests, our -resent o-inions on this issue are not unani)ous. The %ollowin(

-oints ha!e been raised by )e)bers:

I 4s not the do)ination o% the rulin( $lass and their syste)s o!er our li!es )ost -ower%ul and dire$t

in -rodu$tion, rather than in edu$ation, sexuality, et$. 4% this is so, $an the trans%or)ation o% the

whole o% so$iety be a$hie!ed without the trans%or)ation o% -rodu$tion relations as its -i!ot,

whate!er the di%%i$ulties We as this uestion not be$ause we belie!e the do)ination in other areas

is uni)-ortant, or be$ause we belie!e that radi$al $han(es in these areas auto)ati$ally %ollow

$han(es in the relations o% -rodu$tion. We as it be$ause we belie!e that to o)it all re%eren$e to the

or(ani>ation o% wor is to lea!e a dan(erous (a- in the ran(e o% our $on$erns.

I =oes the -otential in%luen$e o% a so$ial (rou- on e!ents de-end only on its desires or nu)bers 8r

does it also de-end on how $entral a -osition it o$$u-ies in the %un$tionin( o% the syste) u$h

$onsiderations $ould attribute ey roles to -arts o% the $onstru$ti!edestru$ti!e worin( $lass. For

exa)-le worers $on$erned in the )aintenan$e o% nu$lear sub)arines $ould -lay an i)-ortant role

in -re!entin( a war, should they $hoose to do so out o% all -ro-ortion to their nu)bers. This does not

$ontradi$t the need %or the $o3o-eration o% a lar(e )a;ority o% -eo-le Dworin( $lassD or not in the

tas o% buildin( a new so$iety.

I T. A. re%ers to DnewD areas o% stru((le. ut are the DnewD stru((les any less di!ided by the relati!e

-ri!ile(es o% their -arti$i-ants than the DoldD ones ?ow )u$h e!iden$e is there, in any $ase, that

la$ o% -ri!ile(es ne$essarily )aes %or radi$alis)

I Whi$h has (reater -otential %or $han(e: the re%usal o% wor as su$h, or the de)and %or so$ially

use%ul, $reati!e and $o3o-erati!e wor as an i)-ortant need o% li%e 3 thou(h not, o% $ourse, the only

need or ne$essarily the )ain one


9/40

Individual or Collective Manaement!

e%ore )ain( $lear what the $ause is o% the e!er3widenin( brea between the DWorers

8--ositionDand the o%%i$ial -oint o% !iew held by our dire$tin( $entres, it is ne$essary to $all

attention to two %a$ts:

*1 The Worers 8--osition s-ran( %ro) the de-ths o% the industrial -roletariat o% o!iet "ussia. 4t

is an out(rowth not only o% the unbearable $onditions o% li%e and labour in whi$h se!en )illion

industrial worers %ind the)sel!es, but it is also a -rodu$t o% !a$illation, in$onsisten$ies, and

outri(ht de!iations o% our o!iet -oli$y %ro) the $learly ex-ressed $lass3$onsistent -rin$i-les o% the

'o))unist -ro(ra))e.

*2 The 8--osition did not ori(inate in so)e -arti$ular $entre, was not a %ruit o% -ersonal stri%e and

$ontro!ersy, but, on the $ontrary, $o!ers the whole extent o% o!iet "ussia and )eets with a resonant

res-onse. At -resent, there -re!ails an o-inion that the whole root o% the $ontro!ersy arisin( between

the Worers 8--osition and the nu)erous $urrents noti$eable a)on( the leaders $onsists

ex$lusi!ely in di%%eren$e o% o-inions re(ardin( the -roble)s that $on%ront the Trade 6nions.

This, howe!er, is not true. The brea (oes dee-er. "e-resentati!es o% the 8--osition are not always

able $learly to ex-ress and de%ine it, but as soon as so)e !ital uestion o% the re$onstru$tion o% our

"e-ubli$ is tou$hed u-on, $ontro!ersies arise $on$ernin( a whole areas o% $ardinal e$ono)i$ and

-oliti$al uestions.

For the %irst ti)e, the two di%%erent -oints o% !iew *as ex-ressed by the leaders o% our -arty and the

re-resentati!es o% our $lass3or(anised worers, %ound their re%e$tion at the Einth 'on(ress o% our

Party when that body was dis$ussin( the uestion: $olle$ti!e !ersus -ersonal )ana(e)ent inindustry.

At that ti)e, there was no o--osition %ro) any well3%or)ed (rou-, but it is !ery si(ni%i$ant that

$olle$ti!e )ana(e)ent was %a!oured by all the re-resentati!es o% the Trade 6nions, while o--osed

to it were all the leaders o% our Party, who are a$$usto)ed to a--raise all e!ents %ro) the

institutional an(le. They reuire a (ood deal o% shrewdness and sill to -la$ate the so$ially

hetero(eneous and the so)eti)es -oliti$ally hostile as-irations o% the di%%erent so$ial (rou-s o% the

-o-ulation as ex-ressed by -roletarians, -etty owners, -easantry, and bour(eoisie in the -erson o%

s-e$ialists, and -seudo3s-e$ialists, o% all inds and de(rees.

Why was it that only the 6nions stubbornly de%ended the -rin$i-le o% $olle$ti!e )ana(e)ent, e!enwithout bein( able to addu$e s$ienti%i$ ar(u)ents in %a!our o% it And why was it that the s-e$ialists

su--orters at the sa)e ti)e de%ended the Done )an )ana(e)ent: The reason is that in this

$ontro!ersy, thou(h both sides e)-hati$ally denied that there was a uestion o% -rin$i-le in!ol!ed,

two histori$ally irre$on$ilable -oints o% !iew had $lashed. The Done )an )ana(e)ent is a -rodu$t

o% the indi!idualist $on$e-tion o% the bour(eois $lass. The Done )an )ana(e)ent is in -rin$i-le an

unrestri$ted, isolated, %ree will o% one )an, dis$onne$ted %ro) the $olle$ti!e. This idea %inds its

re%le$tion in all s-heres o% hu)an endea!our 3 be(innin( with the a--oint)ent o% a so!erei(n %or the

tate, and endin( with a so!erei(n dire$tor o% the %a$tory. This is the su-re)e wisdo) o% bour(eois

thou(ht. The bour(eoisie do not belie!e in the -ower o% a $olle$ti!e body. They lie to whi- the

)asses into an obedient %lo$, and dri!e the) where!er their unrestri$ted will desires. The worin(

$lass and its s-oes)en, on the $ontrary, realise that the new 'o))unist as-irations $an be obtainedonly throu(h the $olle$ti!e e%%orts o% the worers the)sel!es. The )ore the )asses are de!elo-ed in

http://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-congress/9th/01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-congress/9th/01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-congress/9th/01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-congress/9th/01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/party-congress/9th/01.htm


10/40

the ex-ression o% their $olle$ti!e will and $o))on thou(ht, the ui$er and )ore $o)-lete will be

the reali>ation o% worin( $lass as-irations, %or it will $reate a new: ho)o3(eneous, uni%ied,

-er%e$tly3arran(ed 'o))unist 4ndustry. 8nly those who are dire$tly bound to industry $an introdu$e

into it ani)atin( inno!ations.

"e;e$tion o% a -rin$i-le 3 the -rin$i-le o% $olle$ti!e )ana(e)ent in the $ontrol o% industry 3 was ata$ti$al $o)-ro)ise on behal% o% our Party, an a$t o% ada-tation0 it was, )oreo!er, an a$t o%

de!iation %ro) that $lass -oli$y whi$h we so >ealously $ulti!ated and de%ended durin( that %irst

-hase o% the re!olution.

Why did this ha--en ?ow did it ha--en that our Party, )atured and te)-ered in the stru((le o% the

re!olution, was -er)itted to be $arried away %ro) the dire$t road, in order to ;ourney alon( the

roundabout -ath o% ada-tation %or)erly $onde)ned o!ertly and branded as Do--ortunis)D The

answer to this uestion we shall (i!e later. #eanwhile we shall turn to the uestion: how did the

Worers 8--osition %or) and de!elo-

"# $ro%th o& The Workers Opposition

The Einth 'on(ress o% the "ussian 'o))unist Party was held in the s-rin( o% 192&. =urin( the

su))er, the a--ortion did not assert itsel% . Eothin( was heard about it durin( the stor)y debates

that too -la$e at the e$ond 'on(ress o% the 'o))unist 4nternational. ut dee- at the botto), there

was tain( -la$e an a$$u)ulation o% ex-erien$e, o% $riti$al thou(ht. The %irst ex-ression o% this

-ro$ess, in$o)-lete at the ti)e, was at the Party 'on%eren$e in e-te)ber, 192&. For a ti)e, the

thou(ht -reo$$u-ied itsel% lar(ely with re;e$tions and $riti$is)s. The 8--osition had no well3

%or)ulated -ro-osals o% its own. ut it was ob!ious that the Party was enterin( into a new -hase o%

its li%e. Within its rans, DlowerD ele)ents de)and %reedo) o% $riti$is), loudly -ro$lai)in( that

bureau$ra$y stran(les the), lea!es no %reedo) %or a$ti!ity or %or )ani%estation o% initiati!e.

The leaders o% the Party understood this under$urrent, and 'o)rade ino!ie! )ade )any !erbal

-ro)ises as to %reedo) o% $riti$is), widenin( o% the s$o-e o% sel%3a$ti!ity %or the )asses,

-erse$ution o% leaders de!iatin( %ro) the -rin$i-les o% de)o$ra$y, et$. A (reat deal was said and

well said0 but %ro) words to deeds there is a $onsiderable distan$e. The e-te)ber $on%eren$e,

to(ether with ino!ie!s )u$h3-ro)isin( s-ee$h has $han(ed nothin( either in the Party itsel% or in

the li%e o% the )asses. The root %ro) whi$h the 8--osition s-routs, was not destroyed. =own at the

botto), a (rowth o% -arti$ulate dissatis%a$tion, $riti$is) and inde-enden$e was tain( -la$e. This

inarti$ulate %er)ent was noted e!en by the Party leaders and it uite unex-e$tedly (enerated shar-

$ontro!ersies. 4t is si(ni%i$ant that in the $entral Party bodies, shar- $ontro!ersies arose $on$ernin(

the -art that )ust be -layed by the Trade 6nions. This, howe!er, is only natural.

At -resent, this sub;e$t o% $ontro!ersy between the 8--osition and the Party leaders, while not bein(

the only one, is still the $ardinal -oint o% our whole do)esti$ -oli$y. +on( be%ore the Worers

8--osition had a--eared with its Theses and %or)ed that basis on whi$h, in its o-inion, the

di$tatorshi- o% the -roletariat )ust rest, in the s-here o% industrial re$onstru$tion, the leaders in the

Party had shar-ly disa(reed in their a--raisal o% the -art that is to be -layed by the worin( $lass

or(ani>ations re(ardin( the latters -arti$i-ation in the re$onstru$tion o% industries on a 'o))unist

basis. The 'entral 'o))ittee o% the Party s-lit into (rou-s. 'o)rade +enin stood in o--osition to

Trotsy, while uharin too the )iddle (rounds. 8nly at the i(hth o!iet 'on(resss and

i))ediately a%ter did it be$o)e ob!ious that within the Party itsel% there was a united (rou- e-t

to(ether -ri)arily by the Theses o% -rin$i-les $on$ernin( the Trade 6nions. This (rou-, the


11/40

8--osition, ha!in( no (reat theoreti$ians, and i% s-ite o% a )ost resolute resistan$e %ro) the )ost

-o-ular leaders o% the Party was (rowin( stron( and s-readin( all o!er labourin( "ussia. Was it so

only in Petro(rad and #os$ow Eot at all. !en %ro) the =onet> basin, the 6ral )ountains, iberia,

and a nu)ber o% other industrial $entres $a)e re-orts to the 'entral 'o))ittee that there also the

Worers 8--osition was %or)in( and a$tin(.

4t is true that not e!erywhere does the 8--osition %ind itsel% in $o)-lete a$$ord on all -oints with the

worers o% #os$ow. At ti)es there is )u$h inde%initness, -ettiness and absurdity in the ex-ressions,

de)ands and )oti!es o% the 8--osition. !en the $ardinal -oints )ay di%%er. Get there is

e!erywhere one unalterable -oint 3 and this is the uestion : who shall de!elo- the $reati!e -owers in

the s-here o% e$ono)i$ re$onstru$tion hall it be -urely $lass or(ans, dire$tly $onne$ted by !ital

ties with the industries 3 that is, shall industrial unions undertae the wor o% re$onstru$tion 3 or shall

it be le%t to the o!iet )a$hine whi$h is se-arated %ro) dire$t !ital industrial a$ti!ity and is axed in

its $o)-osition This is the root o% the brea. The Worers 8--osition de%ends the %irst -rin$i-le,

where the leaders o% the Party, whate!er their di%%eren$es on !arious se$ondary )atters, are in

$o)-lete a$$ord on the $ardinal -oint, and de%end the se$ond -rin$i-le.

What does this )ean This )eans that our Party li!es throu(h its %irst serious $risis o% the

re!olutionary -eriod, and that the 8--osition is not to be dri!en away by su$h a $hea- na)e as

Dsyndi$alis)D, but that all $o)rades )ust $onsider this in all seriousness, Who is ri(ht, the leaders or

the worin( )asses endowed with a healthy $lass instin$t

'# Causes o& the Crisis

e%ore $onsiderin( the basi$ -oints o% the $ontro!ersy between the leaders o% our Party and the

Worers 8--osition it is ne$essary to %ind an answer to the uestion: how $ould it ha--en that our

Party 3 %or)erly stron(, )i(hty and in!in$ible be$ause o% its $lear3$ut and %ir) $lass -oli$y 3 be(anto debate %ro) its -ro(ra))e

The dearer the 'o))unist Party is to us ;ust be$ause it has )ade su$h a resolute ste- %orward on the

road to the liberation i% the worers %ro) the yoe o% $a-ital, the less ri(ht do we ha!e to $lose our

eyes to the )istaes o% leadin( $entres.

The -ower o% the Party )ust lie in the ability o% our leadin( $entres to dete$t the -roble)s and tass

that $on%ront the worers, and to -i$ u- the tenden$ies, whi$h they ha!e been able to dire$t, so that

the )asses )i(ht $onuer one )ore o% the histori$al -ositions. o it was in the -ast, but it is no

lon(er so at -resent. 8ur Party not only redu$es its s-eed, but )ore o%ten *wisely loos ba$ and

ass: ha!e we not (one too %ar 4s this not the ti)e to $all a halt 4s it not wiser to be )ore $autiousand to a!oid darin( ex-eri)ents unseen in the whole o% history What was it that -rodu$ed this

wise $aution *-arti$ularly ex-ressed 4n the distrust o% the leadin( Party $entres towards the

e$ono)i$ industrial abilities o% the labour unions 3 $aution that has lately o!erwhel)ed all our

$entres Where is the $ause

l% we be(in to dili(ently to sear$h %or the $ause o% the de!elo-in( $ontro!ersy in our Party, it

be$o)es $lear that the -arty is -assin( throu(h a $risis whi$h was brou(ht about by three

%unda)ental $auses. The %irst )ain basi$ $ause is the un%ortunate en!iron)ent in whi$h our Party

)ust wor and a$t. The "ussian 'o))unist Party )ust build 'o))unis) and $arry into li%e its

-ro(ra))e:


12/40

*a in the en!iron)ent o% $o)-lete destru$tion and breadown o% the e$ono)i$ stru$ture 0

*b in the %a$e o% a ne!er di)inishin( and ruthless -ressure o% the 4)-erialist tates and White

uards,

*$ to the worin( $lass o% "ussia has %allen the lot o% realisin( 'o))unis), $reatin( new'o))unist %or)s o% e$ono)y in an e$ono)i$ally ba$ward $ountry with a -re-onderant -easant

-o-ulation, where the ne$$essary e$ono)i$ -rereuisites %or so$iali>ation o% -rodu$tion and

distribution are la$in(, and where 'a-italis) has not as yet been able to $o)-lete the %ull $y$le o%

its de!elo-)ent *%ro) the unli)ited stru((le o% $o)-etition o% the %irst sta(e o% 'a-italis) to its

hi(hest %or): the re(ulation o% -rodu$tion by $a-italist unions 3 the trusts.

4t is uite natural that all these %a$tors hinder the reali>ation o% our -ro(ra))e *-arti$ularly in its

essential -art 3 in the re$onstru$tion o% 4ndustries on the new basis and in;e$t into our o!iet

e$ono)i$ -oli$y di!erse in%luen$es and a la$ o% uni%or)ity.

8ut o% this basi$ $ause %ollow the two others. First o% all, the e$ono)i$ ba$wardness o% "ussia andthe do)ination o% the -easantry within its boundaries $reate that di!ersity, and ine!itably detra$t the

-ra$ti$al -oli$y o% our Party %ro) the $lear3$ut $lass dire$tion, $onsistent in -rin$i-le and theory.

Any -arty standin( at the head o% a hetero(eneous o!iet state is $o)-elled to $onsider the

as-irations o% -easants with their -etty3bour(eois in$linations and resent)ents towards 'o))unis),

as well as lend an ear to the nu)erous -etty3bour(eois ele)ents, re)nants o% the %or)er $a-italists

in "ussia and to all inds o% traders, )iddle)en, -etty o%%i$ials, et$. These ha!e !ery ra-idly ada-ted

the)sel!es to the o!iet institutions and o$$u-y res-onsible -otions in )e $entres, a--earin( in the

$a-a$ity o% a(ents o% di%%erent $o))issariats et$. Eo wonder that aru-a, the Peo-les 'o))isnr o%

u--lies, at the i(hth 'on(ress uoted %i(ures whi$h showed that in the ser!i$e o% the

'o))issariat o% u--lies there were en(a(ed 1L o% worers, 1CL o% -easants, less than 2&L o%

s-e$ialists, and that o% the re)ainin(, )ore than 5&L were trades)en, sales)en, and si)ilar -eo-le,

in the )a;ority e!en illiterate *aru-as own words. 4n aru-as o-inion this is a -roo% o% their

de)o$rati$ $onstitution, e!en thou(h they ha!e nothin( in $o))on with the $lass -roletarians, with

the -rodu$ers o% all wealth, with the worers in %a$tory and )ill.

These are the ele)ents 3 the -etty3bour(eois ele)ents widely s$attered throu(h the o!iet

institutions, the ele)ents o% the )iddle $lass, with their hostility towards 'o))unis), and with

their -redile$tions towards the i))utable $usto)s o% the -ast, with resent)ents and %ears towards

re!olutionary arts. These are the ele)ents that brin( de$ay into our o!iet institutions, breedin(

there an at)os-here alto(ether re-u(nant to the worin( $lass. They are two di%%erent worlds andhostile at that. And yet we in o!iet "ussia are $o)-elled to -ersuade both oursel!es and the

worin( $lass that the -etty3bour(eoisie and )iddle $lasses *not to s-ea o% well3to3do -easants $an

uite $o)%ortably exist under the $o))on )otto: DAll -ower to the o!ietsD, %or(et%ul o% the %a$t

that in -ra$ti$al e!eryday li%e, the interests o% the worers and those o% the )iddle $lasses and

-easantry i)bued with -etty3bour(eois -sy$holo(y )ust ine!itably $lash, rendin( the o!iet -oli$y

asunder, and de%or)in( its $learest $lass statutes. eside -easant3owners in the !illa(es and bur(her

ele)ents in the $ities, our -arty in its o!iet tate -oli$y is %or$ed to re$on with the in%luen$e

exerted by the re-resentati!es o% wealthy bour(eoisie now a--earin( in the %or) o% s-e$ialists,

te$hni$ians, en(ineers and %or)er )ana(ers o% %inan$ial and industrial a%%airs, who by all their -ast

ex-erien$e are bound to the $a-italist syste) o% -rodu$tion. They $annot e!en i)a(ine any other

)ode o% -rodu$tion, but the one whi$h lies within the traditional bounds o% $a-italist e$ono)i$s.


13/40

#The $ro%in In&luence o& The Specialists

The )ore o!iet "ussia %inds itsel% in need o% s-e$ialists in the s-here o% te$hniue and )ana(e)ent

o% -rodu$tion, the stron(er be$o)es the in%luen$e o% these ele)ents, %orei(n to the worin( $lass, on

the de!elo-)ent o% our e$ono)y. ?a!in( been thrown aside durin( the %irst -eriod o% the re!olution,

and bein( $o)-elled to tae u- an attitude o% wat$h%ul waitin( or so)eti)es e!en o-en hostility

towards the o!iet authorities, -arti$ularly durin( the )ost tryin( )onths *the histori$al sabota(e by

the intelle$tuals, this so$ial (rou- o% brains in $a-italist -rodu$tion, o% ser!ile, hired, well3-aid

ser!ants o% $a-ital, a$uire )ore and )ore in%luen$e and i)-ortan$e in -oliti$s with e!ery day %iat

-asses.

=o we need na)es !ery %ellow worer, $are%ully wat$hin( our %orei(n and do)esti$ -oli$y,

re$alls )ore than one su$h na)e . As lon( as the $entre o% our li%e re)ained at the )ilitary %ronts,

the in%luen$e o% these (entle)en dire$tin( our o!iet -oli$y, -arti$ularly in the s-here o% industrial

re$onstru$tion, was $o)-arati!ely ne(li(ible. -e$ialists, the re)nants o% the -ast, by all their nature

$losely, unalterably bound to the bour(eois syste) that we ai) to destroy, (radually be(in to -enetrate into our "ed Ar)y, introdu$in( there their at)os-here o% the -ast *blind subordination,

ser!ile obedien$e, distin$tion, rans, and the arbitrary will o% su-eriors in -la$e o% $lass dis$i-line,

et$.. ut their in%luen$e did not extend to the (eneral -oliti$al a$ti!ity o% the o!iet "e-ubli$. The

-roletariat did not uestion their su-erior sill to dire$t )ilitary a%%airs, %ully realisin( throu(h their

healthy $lass instin$t that in )ilitary )atters the worin( $lass as a $lass $annot ex-ress a new

world, is -owerless to introdu$e substantial $han(es into the )ilitary syste) 3 to re$onstru$t its

%oundation on a new $lass basis. Pro%essional )ilitaris) 3 an inheritan$e o% -ast a(es 3 )ilitaris)

and wars will ha!e no -la$e in 'o))unist so$iety. The stru((le will (o on alon( other $hannels,

will tae uite di%%erent %or)s in$on$ei!able to our i)a(ination #ilitaris) li!es throu(h its last

days, throu(h the transitory e-o$h o% di$tatorshi-, and there%ore it is only natural that the worers, as

a $lass, $ould not introdu$e into the %or)s and syste)s anythin( new and $ondu$i!e to the %uturede!elo-)ent o% so$iety. !en in the "ed Ar)y, howe!er, there were inno!atin( tou$hes o% the

worin( $lass. ut the nature o% )ilitaris) re)ained the sa)e, and the dire$tion o% )ilitary a%%airs

by the %or)er o%%i$ers and (enerals o% the old ar)y did not draw the o!iet -oli$y in )ilitary )atters

away to the o--osite side su%%i$iently %or the worers to %eel any har) to the)sel!es or to their $lass

interests.

4n the s-here o% national e$ono)y it is uite di%%erent howe!er. Produ$tion, its or(ani>ation 3 this is

the essen$e o% 'o))unis). To debar the worers %ro) the or(ani>ation o% industry, to de-ri!e

the), that is, their indi!idual or(ani>ations, o% the o--ortunity to de!elo-. their -owers in $reatin(

new %or)s o% -rodu$tion in industry throu(h their unions, to deny these ex-ressions o% the $lass

or(ani>ation o% the -roletariat, while -la$in( %ull relian$e on the sill o% s-e$ialists trained andtau(ht to $arry on -rodu$tion under a uite di%%erent syste) o% -rodu$tion 3 is to ;u)- o%% the rails o%

s$ienti%i$ #arxist thou(ht. That is, howe!er, ;ust the thin( that is bein( done by the leaders o% our

Party at -resent.

Tain( into $onsideration the utter $olla-se o% our industries while still $lin(in( to the $a-italist

)ode o% -rodu$tion *-ay)ent %or labour in )oney, !ariations in wa(es re$ei!ed a$$ordin( to the

wor done our Party leaders, in a %it o% distrust in the $reati!e abilities o% worers $olle$ti!es, are

seein( sal!ation %ro) the industrial $haos. Where 4n the hands o% s$ions o% the bour(eois3

$a-italist -ast. 4n business)en and te$hni$ians, whose $reati!e abilities in the s-here o% 4ndustry are

sub;e$t to the routine, habits and )ethods o% the $a-italist syste) o% -rodu$tion and e$ono)y. They

are the ones who introdu$e the ridi$ulously nai!e belie% that it is -ossible to brin( about 'o))unis)

by bureau$rati$ )eans. They de$ree where it is now ne$essary to $reate and $arry on resear$h.


14/40

The )ore the )ilitary %ront re$edes be%ore the e$ono)i$ %ront, the eener be$o)es our $ryin( need0

the )ore -ronoun$ed the in%luen$e o% that (rou- whi$h is not only inherently %orei(n to

'o))unis), but absolutely unable to de!elo- the ri(ht ualities %or introdu$in( new %or)s o%

or(ani>in( the wor, o% new )oti!es %or in$reasin( -rodu$tion, o% new a--roa$hes to -rodu$tion and

distribution. All these te$hni$ians, -ra$ti$al )en, )en o% business ex-erien$e, who ;ust now a--ear

on the sur%a$e o% o!iet li%e brin( -ressure to bear u-on the leaders o% our Party throu(h and withinthe o!iet institutions by exertin( their in%luen$e on e$ono)i$ -oli$y.

# State *nd +arty

The Party, there%ore, %inds itsel% in a di%%i$ult and e)barrassin( situation re(ardin( the $ontrol o!er

the o!iet state. 4t is %or$ed to lend an ear and to ada-t itsel% to three e$ono)i$ally hostile (rou-s o%

the -o-ulation, ea$h di%%erent in so$ial stru$ture. The worers de)and a $lear3$ut, un$o)-ro)isin(

-oli$y, a ra-id, %or$ed ad!an$e towards 'o))unis)0 the -easantry, with its -etty3 bour(eois

-ro$li!ities and sy)-athies, de)ands A%%erent inds o% D%reedo)D, in$ludin( %reedo) o% trade and

non3inter%eren$e in their a%%airs. The latter are ;oined in this de)and be the bur(her $lad in the %or)o% *a(ents o% o!iet o%%i$ials, $o))issaries in the ar)y, et$., who ha!e already ada-ted the)sel!es

to the o!iet re(i)e, and sway our -oli$y toward -etty3bour(eois lines.

As %ar as the $entre is $on$eded, the in%luen$e o% these -etty3bour(eois ele)ents is ne(li(ible. ut in

the -ro!in$es and in lo$al o!iet a$ti!ity, their in%luen$e is a (reat and har)%ul one. Finally, there is

still another (rou- o% )en $onsistin( o% the %or)er )ana(ers and dire$tors o% the $a-italist

industries. These are not the )a(nates o% $a-ital, lie "iabushinsy or "ublio%%, who) the o!iet

"e-ubli$ (ot rid o% durin( the %irst -hase o% the re!olution, but they are the )ost talented ser!ants o%

the $a-italist syste) o% -rodu$tion, the obtains and (enius o% 'a-italis), its true $reators and

s-onsors. ?eartily a--ro!in( the $entralist tenden$ies o% the o!iet (o!ern)ent in the s-here o%

e$ono)i$s, well realisin( all the bene%its o% trusti%i$ation and re(ulation o% -rodu$tion *this, by theway, is bein( $arried on by $a-ital in all ad!an$ed 4ndustrial , $ountries, they are stri!in( %or ;ust

one thin( 3 they want this re(ulation to be $arried on not throu(h the labour or(ani>ations *the

industrial unions, but by the)sel!es3 a$tin( now under the (uise o% o!iet e$ono)i$ institutions 3

the $entral industrial $o))ittees, industrial $entres o% the u-re)e 'oun$il o% Eational $ono)y,

where they are already %ir)ly rooted. The in%luen$e o% these (entle)en on the sober tate -oli$y o%

our leaders is (reat, $onsiderably (reater than is desirable. This in%luen$e is re%le$ted in the -oli$y

whi$h de%ends and $ulti!ates bureau$ratis) *with no atte)-ts to $han(e it entirely, but ;ust to

i)-ro!e it. The -oli$y is -arti$ularly ob!ious in the s-here o% our %orei(n trade with the $a-italist

states, whi$h is ;ust be(innin( to s-rin( u-: these $o))er$ial relations are $arried on o!er the heads

o% the "ussian as well as the %orei(n or(anised worers. 4t %inds its ex-ression, also, in a whole series

o% )easures restri$tin( the sel%3a$ti!ity o% the )asses and (i!in( the initiati!e to the s$ions o% the$a-italist world.

A)on( all these !arious (rou-s o% the -o-ulation, our Party, by tryin( to %ind a )iddle (round, is

$o)-elled to steer a $ourse whi$h does not ;eo-ardi>e the unity o% the tate interests. The $lear3$ut

-oli$y o% our Party, in the -ro$ess o% identi%yin( itsel% with o!iet tate institutions, is bein(

(radually trans%or)ed into an u--er3$lass -oli$y, whi$h in essen$e is nothin( else but an ada-tation

o% our dire$tin( $entres to the hetero(eneous and irre$on$ilable interests o% a so$ially di%%erent,

)ixed, -o-ulation. This ada-tation leads to ine!itable !a$illation, %lu$tuations, de%lations and

)istaes. 4t is only ne$essary to re$all the >i(3>a(3lie road o% our -oli$y toward the -easantry,

whi$h %ro) thanin( on the -oor -easant, brou(ht us to -la$in( relian$e on the industrious -easant3

owner. +et us ad)it that this -oli$y is -roo% o% the -oliti$al soberness and Dstate$ra%t wisdo)D o% our

dire$tin( $entres. ut the %uture historian, analysin( without bias the sta(es o% our do)ination, will


15/40

%ind and -oint out that in this is e!ident a dan(erous di(ression %ro) the $lass line toward

ada-tation and a $ourse %ull o% har)%ul -ossibilities or results.

+et us a(ain tae the uestion o% %orei(n trade. There exists in our -oli$y an ob!ious du-li$ity. This

is attested by the $onstant, unendin( %ri$tion between the 'o))issariat o% Forei(n Trade and the

'o))issariat o% Forei(n A%%airs. This %ri$tion is not o% ad)inistrati!e nature alone. 4ts $ause liesdee-er. And i% the se$ret wor o% the dire$tin( $entres were ex-osed to the !iew o% ran and %ile

ele)ents, who nows what the $ontro!ersy di!idin( the 'o))issariat o% Forei(n A%%airs and the

trade re-resentati!es abroad )i(ht lead to

This see)in(ly ad)inistrati!e %ri$tion is essentially a serious, dee-, so$ial %ri$tion, $on$ealed %ro)

the ran and tile, and )aes it absolutely ne$essary %or o!iet -oliti$s to ada-t to the three

hetero(eneous so$ial (rou-s o% the -o-ulation *worers, -easants and re-resentati!es o% the %or)er

bour(eoisie. This $onstitutes another $ause brin(in( a $risis into our Party. And we $annot but -ay

attention to this $ause. 4t is too $hara$teristi$, too -re(nant with -ossibilities. 4t is there%ore the duty

o% our Party, on behal% o% Party unity and %uture a$ti!ity, to -onder o!er this $ause and to learn the

ne$essary lessons %ro) the wides-read dissatis%a$tion (enerated by it in the ran and %ile.

,# The Masses are not -lind

As lon( as the worin( $lass, durin( the %irst -eriod o% the re!olution, %elt itsel% to be the only bearer

o% 'o))unis), there was -er%e$t unani)ity in the Party. 4n the days i))ediately %ollowin( the

8$tober re!olution, none $ould e!en thin o% u-s as so)ethin( di%%erent %ro) downs, %or in those

days the ad!an$ed worers were busily en(a(ed in realisin( -oint a%ter -oint in our $lass3

'o))unist -ro(ra))e.The -easant who re$ei!ed the land did not at the ti)e assert hi)sel% as a

-art o% and a %ull3 %led(ed $iti>en o% the o!iet "e-ubli$. 4ntelle$tuals, s-e$ialists, )en o% a%%airs 3

the entire -etty3bour(eois $lass and -seudo3s-e$ialists at -resent $li)bin( u- the o!iet ladder, run( by run(, under the (uise o% *s-e$ialists, ste--edaside, wat$hin( and waitin( but )eanwhile (i!in(

%reedo) to the ad!an$ed worin( )asses to de!elo- their $reati!e abilities.

At -resent, howe!er, it is ;ust the other way. The worer %eels, sees, and re!ises at e!ery ste- that

s-e$ialists and *what is worse untrained illiterate -seudo3s-e$ialists, and un-ra$ti$al )en throw out

the worer and %ill u- all the hi(h ad)inistrati!e -osts o% our industrial and e$ono)i$ institutions.

And the Party, instead o% -uttin( the braes on this tenden$y %ro) the ele)ents whi$h are alto(ether

%orei(n to the worin( $lass and 'o))unis), en$oura(es it. The Party sees sal!ation %ro) the

industrial $haos, not in the worers but in these !ery ele)ents. Eot in the worers, not in their union

or(ani>ations does the Party re-ose its trust, but in these ele)ents. The worin( )asses %eel it and

instead o% unani)ity and unity in the Party, there a--ears a brea.

The )asses are not blind. Whate!er words the )ost -o-ular leaders )ilt use in order to $on$eal their

de!iation %ro) a $lear3$ut $lass -oli$y, whate!er the $o)-ro)ises )ade with the -easants and world

'a-italis), and whate!er the trust that the leaders -la$e in the dis$i-les o% the $a-italist syste) o%

-rodu$tion, the worin( )asses %eel where the di(ression beans. The worers )ay $herish an ardent

a%%e$tion and lo!e %or su$h -ersonalities as lenin. They )ay be %as$inated by the in$o)-arable

%lowery elouen$e o% Trotsy and his or(ani>in( abilities. They )ay re!ere a nu)ber o% other

leaders 3 as leaders. ut when the )asses %eel that they and their $lass are not trusted, it is uite

natural that they say : Eo, haltM We re%use to %ollow you blindly. +et us exa)ine the situation. Gour

-oli$y o% -i$in( out the )iddle (round between three so$ially o--osed (rou-s is a wise one indeed,

but it s)a$s o% the well3tried and %a)iliar ada-tation and o--ortunis). Today we )ay (ain


16/40

so)ethin( with the hel- o% your sober -oli$y, but let us beware lest we %ind oursel!es on a wron(

road that, throu(h >i(>a( and turns, will lead %ro) the %uture to the debris o% the -ast. =istrust o% the

worers by be leaders is steadily (rowin(. The )ore sober these leaders (et, the )ore $le!er

states)en they be$o)e with their -oli$y o% slidin( o!er the blade o% a shar- ni%e between

'o))unis) and $o)-ro)ise with the bour(eois -ast, the dee-er be$o)es the abyss between the

u-s and downs the less understandin( there isM and the )ore -ain%ul and ine!itable be$o)es the$rises within the Party itsel%. The third reason enhan$in( the $risis in the Party is that, in %a$t durin(

these three years o% the re!olution, the e$ono)i$ situation o% the worin( $lass, o% those who wor in

%a$tories and )ills, has not only not been i)-ro!ed, but has be$o)e )ore unbearable. This nobody

dares to deny. The su--ressed and widely3s-read dissatis%a$tion a)on( worers *worers, )ind you

has a real ;usti%i$ation.

.# Who has $ained /rom The 0evolution!

8nly the -easants (ained dire$tly by the re!olution. As %ar as the )iddle $lasses are $on$erned, they

!ery $le!erly ada-ted the)sel!es to the new $onditions, to(ether with the re-resentati!es o% the ri$h bour(eoisieM who had o$$u-ied all the res-onsible and dire$tin( -ositions in the o!iet institutions

*-arti$ularly in the s-here o% dire$tin( tate e$ono)y, in the industry or(ani>ations and the re3

establish)ent o% $o))er$ial relations with %orei(n nations. 8nly the basi$ $lass o% the o!iet

"e-ubli$, whi$h bore all the burdens o% the di$tatorshi- as a )ass, ees out a sha)e%ully -iti%ul

existen$e.

The Worers "e-ubli$ $ontrolled by the 'o))unists, by the !an(uard o% the worin( $lass, whi$h,

to uote +enin, has absorbed all the re!olutionary ener(y o% the $lass, has not had ti)e enou(h to

-onder o!er and i)-ro!e the $onditions o% all the worers *those not in indi!idual establish)ents

whi$h ha--ened to (ain the attention o% the 'oun$il o% the Peo-les 'o))issars in one or another o%

the so3$alled sho$ industries in (eneral and li%t their $onditions o% li%e to a hu)an standard o%existen$e.

The 'o))issariat o% +abour is the )ost sta(nant institution o% all the 'o))issariats. 4n the whole

o% the o!iet -oli$y, the uestion was ne!er seriously raised on a national s$ale and dis$ussed: what

)ust and $an be done in the %a$e o% the utter $olla-se o% industry at ho)e and a )ost un%a!ourable

internal situation to i)-ro!e the worers $onditions and -reser!e their health %or -rodu$ti!e labour

in the %uture, and to better the lot o% the worers in the sho-s

6ntil re$ently, o!iet -oli$y was de!oid o% any wored out -lan %or i)-ro!in( the lot o% the worers

and their $onditions o% li%e. A11 that was done in this %ield was done al)ost in$identally, or at

rando), by lo$al authorities under the -ressure or the )asses the)sel!es. =urin( these three years o%$i!il war, the -roletariat heroi$ally brou(ht to the altar o% the re!olution their innu)erable sa$ri%i$es.

They waited -atiently. ut now that the -ulse o% li%e in the "e-ubli$ is a(ain trans%erred to the

e$ono)i$ %ront, the ran and %ile worer $onsiders it unne$essary to su%%er and wait. Why is he not

the $reator o% li%e on a 'o))unist basis +et us oursel!es tae u- this re$onstru$tion, %or we now

better than the (entle)en %ro) the $entres where it hurts us )ost.

The ran and %ile worer is obser!ant. ?e sees that so %ar the -roble)s o% hy(iene, sanitation,

i)-ro!in( $onditions o% labour in the sho-s 3 in other words, the better)ent o% the worers lot has

o$$u-ied the last -la$e in our -oli$y. 4n our solution to the housin( -roble), we went no %urther than

housin( the worers %a)ilies in in$on!enient bour(eois )ansions. What is still worse, so %ar we

ha!e not e!en tou$hed the -ra$ti$al -roble) o% housin( in re(ard to worers. To our sha)e, in the


17/40

heart o% the "e-ubli$, in #os$ow itsel%, worin( -eo-le are still li!in( in %ilthy, o!er$rowded and

unhy(ieni$ uarters, one !isit to whi$h )aes one thin that there has been no re!olution at a11. We

all now that the housin( -roble) $annot be sol!ed in a %ew )onths, e!en years, and that due to our

-o!erty, its solution is %a$ed with the serious di%%i$ulties. ut the %a$ts o% e!er3(rowin( ineuality

between the -ri!ile(ed (rou-s o% the -o-ulation in o!iet "ussia and the ran and %ile worers,the

%ra)e3wor o% the di$tatorshi-, breed and nourish the dissatis%a$tion.

The ran and %ile worer sees how the o!iet o%%i$ial and the -ra$ti$al )an li!es and how he li!es 3

he on who) rests the di$tatorshi- o% the -roletariat. ?e $annot but see that durin( the re!olution, the

li%e and health o% the worers in the sho-s $o))anded the least attention0 that where -rior to the

re!olution there existed )ore or less bearable $onditions, they are still )aintained by the sho-

$o))ittees. And where su$h $onditions did not exist, where da)-ness, %oul air and (ases -oisoned

and destroyed the worers health, these $onditions re)ain un$han(ed. DWe $ould not attend to that0

-ray, there was the )ilitary %ront. And yet whene!er it was ne$essary to )ae re-airs in any o% the

houses o$$u-ied by the o!iet institutions, they were able to %ind both the )aterials and the labour.

What would ha--en i% we tried to shelter our s-e$ialists or -ra$ti$al )en en(a(ed in the s-here o%

$o))er$ial transa$tions with %orei(n $a-italists in those huts in whi$h the )asses o% worers stillli!e and labour They would raise su$h a howl that it would be$o)e ne$essary to )obili>e the entire

housin( de-art)ent in order to $orre$t the $haoti$ $onditions that inter%ere with the -rodu$ti!ity o%

our s-e$ialists.

1# 2Our Sorro%s are not Theirs###2

The ser!i$e o% the Worers 8--osition $onsists in that it in$luded the -roble) o% i)-ro!in( the

worers lot *to(ether with all the other se$ondary worers de)ands into the (eneral e$ono)i$

-oli$y. The -rodu$ti!ity o% labour $annot be in$reased unless the li%e o% the worers is or(anised on

a new 'o))unist basis.

The less that is undertaen and -lanned *4 do not s-ea o% so)ethin( that has been $arried out in

this s-here. the dee-er is the )utual distrust between leaders and worers. There is no unity, no

sense o% their identity o% needs, de)ands and as-irations. The leaders are one tan(, and we are

so)ethin( alto(ether di%%erent. #aybe it is true that the leaders now better how to rule o!er the

$ountry, but they %ail to understand our needs, our li%e in the sho-s, its reuire)ents and i))ediate

needs0 they do not under3 stand and do not now. Fro) this re>onin( %ollows the instin$ti!e leanin(

towards the unions, and the $onseuent dro--in( out o% the Party. 4t is true they are a -art o% us, but

as soon as they (et into the $entres, they lea!e us alto(ether0 they be(in to li!e di%%erently0 4% we

su%%er, what do they $are 8ur sorrows are not theirs any lon(er.

And the )ore our industry establish)ents and unions are drained o% their best ele)ents by the Party

*whi$h sends the) either to the %ront or to the o!iet institutions, the weaer be$o)es the dire$t

$onne$tion between the ran and %ile worers and the dire$tin( Party $entres. A $has) is (rowin(.

At -resent, this di!ision )ani%ests itsel% e!en in the rans o% the Party itsel%. The worers, throu(h

their Worers 8--osition as: Who are we Are we really the -ro- o% the $lass di$tatorshi- 8r are

we ;ust an obedient %lo$ that ser!es as a su--ort %or those who, ha!in( se!ered all ties with the

)asses, $arry out their own -oli$y and build u- industry without any re(ard to our o-inions and

$reati!e abilities under the reliable $o!er o% the Party label

3#O45ectives o& The Opposition


18/40

Whate!er the Party leaders )i(ht do in order to dri!e away the Worers 8--osition, the latter will

always re)ain that (rowin( healthy $lass %or$e whi$h is destined to in;e$t !italisin( ener(y into the

rehabilitation o% e$ono)i$ li%e as well as into the 'o))unist Party, whi$h be(ins to %ade and bend

low to the (round.

There are thus three $auses whi$h brin( about a $risis in our Party : there is %irst o% all the o!erallob;e$ti!e $onditions under whi$h 'o))unis) in "ussia is bein( $arried out *the $i!il warM

e$ono)i$ ba$wardness o% the $ountry, its utter industrial $olla-se as an a%ter)ath o% the lon( years

o% war0 the se$ond $ause is the hetero(eneous $o)-osition o% our -o-ulation se!en )illion worers,

the -easantry, the )iddle $lasses, and, %inally, the %or)er bour(eoisie, )en o% a%%airs in all

-ro%essions, who issuan$e the -oli$y o% o!iet institutions and -enetrate into the Party0 the third

$ause is the ina$ti!ated o% the Party in the %ield o% i))ediate i)-ro!e)ent o% the worers li%e

$ou-led with the inability and weaness o% the $orres-ondin( o!iet institutions to tae u- and sol!e

these -roble)s. What then is it that the Worers 8--osition wants What is its role

4ts role $onsists in raisin( be%ore the Party all the -erturbin( uestions, and in (i!in( %or) to all that

hereto%ore was $ausin( only a subdued a(itation in the )asses and led the non3-artisan worers e!er%urther %ro) the Party. 4t $learly and %earlessly shouted to the leaders : esto-, loo and thins Where

do you lead us Are we not (oin( o%% the ri(ht road 4t will be !ery bad %or the Party to %ind itsel%

without the %oundation o% the di$tatorshi-. The Party will be on its own and so will the worin(

$lass. 4n this lies the (reatest dan(er to the re!olution. The tas o% the Party at its -resent $risis is

%earlessly to %a$e the )istaes and lend its ear to the healthy $lass $all o% the wide worin( )asses.

Throu(h the $reati!e -owers o% the risin( $lass, in the %or) o% industrial unions, we shall (o

%orwards towards re$onstru$tion and the de!elo-)ent o% the $reati!e %or$es o% the $ountry 0 towards

-uri%i$ation o% the Party itsel% %ro) ele)ents %orei(n to it 0 towards $orre$tion o% the a$ti!ity o% the

Party by )eans o% (oin( ba$ to de)o$ra$y, %reedo) o% o-inion, and $riti$is) inside the Party.


19/40

The Trade 6nions7 Their 0ole 8 +ro4lems

"# Who shall 4uild the Communist 9conomy!

4n a basi$ yet brie% outline, we ha!e already ex-lained what it is that $auses the $risis in our Party.

Eow we shall )ae $lear what are the )ost i)-ortant -oints o% the $ontro!ersy between the leaders

o% our Party and the Worers 8--osition.

There are two su$h -oints: %irstly, the -art to be -layed by, and the -roble)s $on%rontin(, the trade

unions durin( the re$onstru$tion -eriod o% the national e$ono)y, $ou-led with the or(ani>ation o%

-rodu$tion on a 'o))unist basis, and se$ondly, the uestion o% sel%3 a$ti!ity o% the )asses. This

uestion is lined with that o% bureau$ra$y in the Party and the o!iets.

+et us answer both uestions in turn. The -eriod o% )ain( theses in our Party has already ended.

e%ore us we %ind six di%%erent -lat%or)s, six Party tenden$ies. u$h a !ariety and su$h )inute!ariations o% shades in its tenden$ies our Party has ne!er seen be%ore. Party thou(ht has ne!er been

so ri$h in %or)ulae on one and the sa)e uestion. 4t is, there%ore, ob!ious that the uestion is a basi$

one, and !ery i)-ortant.

And su$h it is. The whole $ontro!ersy boils down to one basi$ uestion : Who shall build the

'o))unist e$ono)y, and how shall it be built This is, )oreo!er: the essen$e o% our -ro(ra))e:

this is its heart. This uestion is ;ust as i)-ortant as the uestion o% sei>ure o% -oliti$al -ower by the

-roletariat. 8nly the ubno%% (rou- o% so3$alled -oliti$al $entralists is so nearsi(hted as to under3

esti)ate its i)-ortan$e and to say DThe uestion $on$ernin( trade unions at the -resent )o)ent has

no i)-ortan$e whatsoe!er, and -resents no theoreti$al di%%i$ultiesD

4t is, howe!er, uite natural that the uestion seriously a(itates the Party. The uestion is really in

what dire$tion shall we turn the wheel o% history0 shall we turn it ba$ or )o!e it %orward 4t is also

natural that there is not a in(le 'o))unist in the Party who would re)ain non3$o))ittal durin(

the dis$ussion o% this uestion. As a result, we ha!e six di%%erent (rou-s. 4% we be(in, howe!er,

$are%ully to analyse all the theses o% these )ost )inutely di!er(ent (rou-s, we %ind that on the basi$

uestion 3 who shall build the 'o))unist e$ono)y and or(anist -rodu$tion on a new basis 3 there

are only two -oints o% !iew. 8ne is that whi$h is ex-ressed and %or)ulated in the state)ent o%

-rin$i-les o% the Worers 8--osition. The other is the !iew-oint that unites all the rest o% the (rou-s

di%%erin( only in shades, but identi$al in substan$e. What does the state)ent o% the Worers

8--osition stand %or, and how does the latter understand the -art that is to be -layed by the trade

unions, or, to be )ore exa$t, the industrial unions, at the -resent )o)ent

DWe belie!e that the uestion o% re$onstru$tion and de!elo-)ent o% the -rodu$ti!e %or$es o% our

$ountry $an be sol!ed only i% the entire syste) o% $ontrol o!er the -eo-les e$ono)y is

$han(edD*%ro) hlia-nio%%s re-ort, =e$e)ber C&. Tae noti$e $o)rades: only i% the entire syste)

o% $ontrol i% $han(ed. What does this )ean *The basis o% the $ontro!ersy, the re-ort $ontinues,

re!ol!es around the uestion: by what )eans durin( this -eriod o% trans%or)ation $an our

'o))unist Party tarry out its e$ono)i$ -oli$y 3 shall it be by )eans o% the worers or(anised into

their $lass union, or 3 o!er their heads 3 by bureau$rati$ )eans, throu(h $anoni>ed %un$tionaries o%

the tate. The basis o% the $ontro!ersy is, there%ore, this: shall we a$hie!e 'o))unis) throu(h the

worers or o!er their heads, by the hands o% o!iet o%%i$ialsAnd let us, $o)rades, -onder whether itis -ossible to attain and build a 'o))unist e$ono)y by the hands and $reati!e abilities o% the s$ions


20/40

o% the other $lass, who are i)bued with their routine o% the -ast .4% we be(in to thin as #arxists, as

)en o% s$ien$e, we shall answer $ate(ori$ally and ex-li$itly: Eo M

'# :e% 0elations in +roduction 8 The Materialist Conception

O& ;istoryThe root o% the $ontro!ersy and the $ause o% the $risis lies in the su--osition that -ra$ti$al )en,

te$hni$ians, s-e$ialists, and )ana(ers o% $a-italist -rodu$tion $a- suddenly release the)sel!es %ro)

the bonds o% their traditional $on$e-tions o% ways and )eans o% handlin( labour *whi$h ha!e been

dee-ly in(rained into their !ery %lesh throu(h the years o% their ser!i$e to 'a-ital and a$uire the

ability to $reate new %or)s o% -rodu$tion,o% labour or(ani>ation, and o% in$enti!es to wor. To

su--ose that this is -ossible is to %or(et the in$ontestable truth that a syste) o% -rodu$tion $annot be

$han(ed by a %ew indi!idual (eniuses, but throu(h the reuire)ents o% a $lass.

Just i)a(ine %or a )o)ent that durin( the transitory -eriod %ro) the %eudal syste) *%ounded on sla!e

labour to the syste) o% $a-italist -rodu$tion *with its alle(edly %ree hired labour in the industries,the bour(eois $lass, la$in( at the ti)e the ne$essary ex-erien$e in the or(ani>ation o% $a-italist

-rodu$tion, had in!ited all the $le!er, shrewd ex-erien$ed )ana(ers o% the %eudal estates who had

been a$$usto)ed to deal with ser!ile $hattel sla!es, and entrusted to the) the tas o% or(ani>in(

-rodu$tion on a new $a-italist basis. What would ha--en Would these s-e$ialists in their own

s-here, de-endin( on the whi- to in$rease -rodu$ti!ity o% labour, su$$eed in handlin( a %ree, thou(h

hun(ry, -roletarian, who had released hi)sel% %ro) the $urse o% in!oluntary labour and had be$o)e

a soldier or a day labourer Would not these ex-erts wholly destroy the newly3born and de!elo-in(

$a-italist -rodu$tion 4ndi!idual o!erseers o% the $hattel sla!es, indi!idual %or)er landlords and their

)ana(ers, were able to ada-t the)sel!es to the new %or) o% -rodu$tion0 but it was not %ro) their

rans that the real $reators and builders o% the bour(eois $a-italist e$ono)y were re$ruited.

'lass instin$t whis-ered to the %irst owners o% the $a-italist establish)ents that it was better to (o

slowly and use $o))on sense in -la$e o% ex-erien$e in the sear$h %or new ways and )eans to

establish relations between $a-ital and labour than to borrow the antiuated useless )ethods o%

ex-loitation o% labour %ro) the old, outlawed syste). 'lass instin$t uite $orre$tly told the %irst

$a-italists durin( the %irst -eriod o% $a-italist de!elo-)ent that in -la$e o% the whi- o% the o!erseer

they )ust a--ly another in$enti!e 3ri!alry, -ersonal a)bition o% worers %a$in( une)-loy)ent and

)isery.And the $a-italists, ha!in( (ras-ed this new in$enti!e to labour, were wise enou(h to use it

in order to -ro)ote the de!elo-)ent o% the bour(eois $a-italist %or)s o% -rodu$tion by in$reasin(

the -rodu$ti!ity o% %ree hired labour to a hi(h de(ree o% intensity. Fi!e $enturies a(o, the

bour(eoisie a$ted also in a $autious way, $are%ully listenin( to the di$tates o% their $lass instin$ts.They relied )ore on their $o))on sense than on the ex-erien$e o% the silled s-e$ialists in the

s-here o% or(anised -rodu$tion on the old %eudal estates. The bour(eoisie was -er%e$tly ri(ht, as

history has shown us.

We -ossess a (reat wea-on that $an hel- us to %ind the shortest road to the !i$tory o% the worin(

$lass, di)inish su%%erin( alon( the way, and brin( about the new syste) o% -rodu$tion 3

'o))unis) 3 )ore ui$ly. This wea-on is the )aterialisti$ $on$e-tion o% history. ?owe!er,

instead o% usin( it, widenin( our ex-erien$e and $orre$tin( our resear$hes in $on%or)ity with

history, we are ready to throw this wea-on aside and %ollow the en$u)bered, $ir$uitous road o% blind

ex-eri)ents.


21/40

Whate!er our e$ono)i$ distress ha--ens to be, we are not ;usti%ied in %eelin( su$h an extre)e

de(ree o% des-air. 4t is only the $a-italist (o!ern)ents, standin( with their ba$s to the wall that

need %eel des-air. A%ter exhaustin( all the $reati!e i)-ulses o% $a-italist -rodu$tion, they %ind no

solution to their -roble)s. As %ar as toilin( "ussia is $on$erned, there is no roo) %or des-air: in$e

the 8$tober re!olution, un-re$edented o--ortunities o% e$ono)i$ $reation ha!e o-ened new, ,

unheard3o% %or)s o% -rodu$tion, with an i))ense in$rease in the -rodu$ti!ity o% labours .

4t is only ne$essary not to borrow %ro) the -ast, but, on the $ontrary, to (i!e $o)-lete %reedo) to the

$reati!e -owers o% the %uture. This is what the Worers 8--osition is doin(. Who $an be the builder

and $reator o% 'o))unist e$ono)y that $lass 3 and not the indi!idual (eniuses o% the -ast 3 whi$h

is or(ani$ally bound with newly3de!elo-in(, -ain%ully3born %or)s o% -rodu$tion o% a )ore

-rodu$ti!e and -er%e$t syste) o% e$ono)y. Whi$h or(an $an %or)ulate and sol!e the -roble)s in the

s-here o% or(ani>in( the new e$ono)y and its -rodu$tion 3 the -ure $lass industrial unions, or the

hetero(eneous o!iet e$ono)i$ establish)ents The Worers 8--osition $onsiders that it $an be

done only by the %or)er, that is, by the worers $olle$ti!e, and not by the %un$tional, bureau$rati$,

so$ially3 hetero(eneous $olle$ti!e with a stron( ad)ixture o% the old $a-ita hat ele)ents, whoa

)ind is $loned with the re%use o% $a-italisti$ routine. DThe worers unions )ust be drawn %ro) the -resent -osition o% -assi!e assistan$e to the e$ono)i$ institutions into a$ti!e -arti$i-ation in the

)ana(e)ent o% the entire e$ono)i$ stru$ture*%ro) Theses o% the Worers 8--osition . To see,

%ind and $reate new and )ore -er%e$t %or)s o% e$ono)y, to %ind new in$enti!es to the -rodu$ti!ity

o% labour 3 all this $an be done only by the worers $olle$ti!es that are $losely bound with the new

%ar)s o% -rodu$tion. 8nly these $olle$ti!es %ro) their e!eryday ex-erien$e, are $a-able o% drawin(

$ertain $on$lusions. At %irst (lan$e, these $on$lusions a--ear to be only o% -ra$ti$al i)-ortan$e, and

yet ex$eedin(ly !aluable theoreti$al $on$lusions )ay be drawn %ro) the) $on$ernin( the handlin(

o% new labour -ower in a worers state where )isery, -o!erty, une)-loy)ent and $o)-etition on

the labour )aret $ease to be in$enti!es to wor. To %ind a sti)ulus, an in$enti!e to wor 3 this is the

(reatest tas o% the worin( $lass standin( on the threshold o% 'o))unis). Eone other, howe!er,

the worin( $lass itsel% in the %or) o% its $lass $olle$ti!es, is able to sol!e this (reat -roble). The

solution to this -roble), as -ro-osed by the industrial unions, $onsists in (i!in( $o)-lete %reedo) to

the worers as re(ards ex-eri)entin(, $lass trainin(, ad;ustin( and dis$o!erin( new %or)s o%

-rodu$tion, as well as ex-ressin( and de!elo-in( their 'reati!e abilities 3 that is, to that $lass whi$h

$an alone be the $reator o% 'o))unis).

This is how the Worers 8--osition sees the solution to this di%%i$ult -roble), %ro) whi$h %ollows

the )ost essential -oint o% their theses: Dor(anisation o% $ontrol o!er the so$ial e$ono)y is a

-rero(ati!e o% the All3"ussian 'on(ress o% Produ$ers, who are united in the trade and industrial

unions whi$h ele$t the $entral body dire$tin( the whole e$ono)i$ li%e o% the re-ubli$D *Theses o% the

Worers 8--osition . This de)and would ensure %reedo) %or the )ani%estation o% $reati!e $lassabilities, not restri$ted and $ri--led by the bureau$rati$ )a$hine whi$h is saturated with the s-irit o%

routine o% the bour(eois $a-italist syste) o% -rodu$tion and $ontrol. The Worers 8--osition relies

on the $reati!e -owers o% its own $lass: the worers. The rest o% our -ro(ra))e %ollows %ro) this

-re)ise.

#Who Will Manae +roduction!

ut ri(ht at this -oint there be(in the di%%eren$es between the Worers 8--osition and the line that

is %ollowed by the Party leaders. =istrust towards the worin( $lass *not in the s-here o% -oliti$s, but

in the s-here o% e$ono)i$ $reati!e abilities is the whole essen$e o% the theses si(ned by our Party

leaders. They do not belie!e that by the rou(h hands o% worers, untrained te$hni$ally, $an be


22/40

$reated those %oundations o% the e$ono)i$ %or)s whi$h, in the $ourse o% ti)e, shall de!elo- into a

har)onious syste) o% 'o))unist -rodu$tion.

To all o% the) 3 lenin, Trotsy, ino!ie%%, and uharin 3 it see)s that -rodu$tion is tou$h a deli$ate

thin( that it is i)-ossible to (et alon( without the assistan$e o% dire$tors. First o% all we shall brin(

u- the worers, tea$h the), and only When they ha!e (rown u- shall we re)o!e %ro) the, all thetea$hers o% the u-re)e 'oun$il o% Eatural $ono)y and let the industrial unions tae $ontrol o!er

-rodu$tion. 4t is, a%ter all, si(ni%i$ant that all the theses written by the Party leaders $oin$ide in one

essential %eature: %or the -resent, we shall not (i!e $ontrol o!er -rodu$tion to the trade unions0 %or

the -resent we shall wait. 4t is doubtless true that Trotsy, +enin, ino!ie%%, and uharin di%%er in

their reasons as to why the worers should not be entrusted with runnin( the industries ;ust at

-resent. ut they unani)ously a(ree that ;ust at the -resent ti)e, the )ana(e)ent o% the -rodu$tion

)ust be $arried on o!er the worers heads by )eans o% a bureau$rati$ syste) inherited %ro) the

-ast. 8n this -oint all the leaders o% our Party are in $o)-lete a$$ord.

The $entre o% (ra!ity in the wor o% the trade unions at the -resent )o)ent 3 assert the Ten in their

Theses 3 D)ust be shi%ted into the e$ono)i$ industrial s-here. The trade unions as $lassor(ani>ations o% worers, built u- in $on%or)ity with their industrial %un$tions, )ust tae on the

)a;or wor i% or(ani>ation o% -rodu$tion.D *#a;or wor is a too inde%inite ter). 4t -er)its o%

!arious inter-retations. And yet it would see) that the -lat%or)s o% the Ten (i!es )ore leeway %or

the trade unions in runnin( the industries than Trotsys $entralisti$. Further, the theses o% the Ten

do on to ex-lain what they )ean by )a;or wor o% the unions. DThe )ost ener(eti$ -arti$i-ation in

the $entres whi$h re(ulate -rodu$tion and $ontrol, re(ister and distribute labour -ower, or(ani$

ex$han(e between $ities and !illa(es, %i(ht a(ainst sabota(e, and $arry out de$rees on di%%erent

$o)-ulsory labour obli(ations, et$.DThis is all. Eothin( new. And nothin( )ore than what the trade

unions ha!e already been doin(. This $annot sa!e our -rodu$tion nor hel- in the solution o% the basi$

uestion 3 raisin( and de!elo-in( the -rodu$ti!e %or$es o% our $ountry. 4n order to )ae $lear the

%a$t that the -ro(ra))e o% the Ten does not (i!e to the trade unions any o% the dire$tin( %un$tions,

but assi(ns to the) only an auxiliary role in the )ana(e)ent o% -rodu$tion, the authors say: D4n a

de!elo-ed sta(e *not at -resent, but at a de!elo-ed sta(e , the trade unions in their -ro$ess o% so$ial

trans%or)ation )ust be$o)e or(ans o% a so$ial authority. They )ust wor as su$h, in subordination

to other or(ani>ations, and $arry out the new -rin$i-les o% or(ani>ation o% e$ono)i$ li%e. y this

they )ean to say that the trade unions )ust wor in subordination to the u-re)e 'oun$il o%

Eational $ono)y and its bran$hes.

#Trotskye the edu$ational nature

o% the trade unions. 4n their %or)ulation o% -roble)s %or the trade anions *)ainly in the s-here o%

or(ani>ation. industry and edu$ation, our Party leaders as $le!er -oliti$ians suddenly 'on!ert

the)sel!es into tea$hers.

This -e$uliar $ontro!ersy is re!ol!in( not around the syste) o% )ana(e)ent in industry, but )ainly

around the syste) o% brin(in( u- the )asses. 4n %a$t, when one be(ins to turn o!er the -a(es o% the

steno(ra-hi$ )inutes and s-ee$hes )ade by our -ro)inent leaders, one is astonished by the

unex-e$ted )ani%estation o% their -eda(o(i$ -ro$li!ities. !ery author o% the theses -ro-oses the

)ost -er%e$t syste) o% brin(in( u- the )asses. ut all these syste)s o% edu$ation la$ -ro!isions

%or %reedo) o% ex-eri)ent, %or trainin( and %or the ex-ression o% $reati!e abilities by those who are

to be tau(ht. 4n this res-e$t also all our -eda(o(ues are behind the ti)es.


23/40

The trouble is that +enin, Trotsy, uharin and others see the %un$tions o% the trade unions not as

the $ontrol o!er -rodu$tion or as the tain( o!er o% the industries, but )erely as a s$hool %or brinin(

u- the )asses. =urin( the dis$ussion it see)ed to so)e o% our $o)rades that Trotsy stood %or a

(radual absor-tion o% the unions by the state 3 not all o% a sudden, but (radually and that he wanted

to reser!e %or the) the ri(ht o% ulti)ate $ontrol o!er -rodu$tion, as it is ex-ressed in our -ro(ra))e.

This -oint, it see)ed at %irst, -ut Trotsy on a $o))on (round with the 8--osition at a ti)e whenthe (rou- re-resented by +enin and ino!ie%%, bein( o--osed to the absor-tion o% the state, saw the

ob;e$t o% union a$ti!ity and their -roble) as trainin( %or 'o))unis). Trade 6nions, thunder

Trotsy and ino!ie%%, are ne$essary %or the rou(h wor *-. 22 o% the re-ort, =e$. C&. Trotsy

hi)sel%, it would see), understands the tas so)ewhat di%%erently. 4n his o-inion, the )ost

i)-ortant wor o% the unions $onsists in or(ani>in( -rodu$tion. 4n this he is -er%e$tly ri(ht. ?e is

also ri(ht when he says, inas)u$h as unions are s$hools o% 'o))unis), they are su$h s$hools not

in $arryin( on (eneral -ro-a(anda *%or su$h a$ti!ity would )ean they were -layin( the -art o%

$lubs, not in )obili>in( their )e)bers %or )ilitary wor or $olle$tin( the -rodu$e tax, but %or the

-ur-ose o% all3round edu$ation o% their )e)bers on the basis o% their -arti$i-ation in

-rodu$tionTrotsys re-ort, =e$. C&. A11 this is true, but there is one (ra!e o)ission: the unions

are not only s$hools %or 'o))unis), but they are its $reators as well.

'reati!eness o% the $lass is bein( lost si(ht o%. Trotsy re-la$es it by the initiati!e o% the real

or(ani>ers o% -rodu$tion, by 'o))unists inside the unions *%ro) Trotsys re-ort, =e$. C&. What

'o))unists A$$ordin( to Trotsy, by the 'o))unists a--ointed by the Party to res-onsible

ad)inistrati!e -ositions in the unions *%or reasons that uite o%ten ha!e nothin( in $o))on with

$onsiderations o% industrial and e$ono)i$ -roble)s o% the unions. Trotsy is uite %ran. ?e does

not belie!e that the worers are ready to $reate 'o))unis), and throu(h -ain, su%%erin( and

blunder still see to $reate new %or)s o% -rodu$tion. ?e has ex-ressed this %ranly and o-enly. ?e

has already $arried out his syste) o% $lub edu$ation o% the )ass, o% trainin( the) %or the role o%

)aster in the 'entral Ad)inistrati!e ody o% "ailways ado-tin( all those )ethods o% edu$atin( the

)asses whi$h were -ra$tised by our traditional ;ourney)en u-on their a--renti$es. 4t is true that a

beatin( on the head by a boot3stret$her does not )ae an a--renti$e a su$$ess%ul sho-ee-er a%ter he

be$o)es a Journey)an. And yet as lon( as the boss3tea$hers sti$ han(s o!er his head, he wors

and -rodu$es.

This, in Trotsys o-inion, is the whole essen$e o% shi%tin( the $entral -oint %ro) -oliti$s to

industrial -roble)s. To raise, e!en te)-orarily, -rodu$ti!ity by e!ery and ill )eans is the whole

$rux o% the tas. The whole $ourse o% trainin( in the trade unions )ust be, in Trotsys o-inion, also

dire$ted towards this end.

,# The Vie%s o& Lenin= >inoviev 8 -ukharin

'o)rades +enin and ino!ie%% , howe!er, disa(ree with hi). They are edu$ators o% the )odern

trend o% thou(ht. 4t has been stated )any a ti)e that the trade unions are s$hools %or 'o))unis).

What does that )ean 3 s$hools %or 'o))unis)

4% we tae this de%inition seriously, it will )ean that in s$hools %or 'o))unis), it is ne$essary %irst

o% all to tea$h and brin( u-, but not to $o))and *this allusion to Trotsys !iews )eets with

a--lause. Further on, ino!ie%% adds: the trade unions are -er%or)in( a (reat tas, both %or the

-roletarian and the 'o))unist $ause. This is the basi$ -art to be -layed by the trade unions. At

-resent, howe!er, we %or(et this, and thin that we )ay handle the -roble) o% trade unions too

re$lessly, too rou(hly, too se!erely.


24/40

4t is ne$essary to re)e)ber that these or(ani>ations ha!e their own -arti$ular tass 3 these are not

tass o% $o))andin(, su-er!isin( or di$tatin(, but tass in whi$h all )ay be redu$ed to one :

drawin( o% the worin( )asses into the $hannel o% the or(anised -roletarian )o!e)ent. Thus,

tea$her Trotsy went too %ar in his syste) o% brinin( u- the )ass. ut what does 'o)rade

ino!ie%% hi)sel% -ro-ose To (i!e, within the unions, the %irst lessons in 'o))unis): *to tea$h

the) *the )asses the basi$ %a$ts about the -roletarian )o!e)ent . ?ow Throu(h -ra$ti$alex-erien$e, throu(h -ra$ti$al $reation o% the new %or)s o% -rodu$tion Just what the 8--osition

wants Eot at all. ino!ie%%3+enins (rou- %a!ours a syste) o% brin(in( u- throu(h readin(, (i!in(

)oral -re$e-ts and (ood, well3 $hosen exa)-les. We ha!e 5&&,&&& 'o))unists *a)on( who), we

re(ret to say, there are )any *stran(ers 3 stra((lers %ro) the other world to se!en )illion worers.

A$$ordin( to 'o)rade +enin, the Party has drawn to itsel% the -roletarian !an(uard. The best

'o))unists, in $o3o-eration with s-e$ialists %ro) the o!iet e$ono)i$ institutions, are sear$hin(

hard in their laboratories %or the new %or)s o% 'o))unist -rodu$tion. These 'o))unists, worin(

at -resent under the $are o% (ood tea$hers in the u-re)e 'oun$il o% Eational $ono)y or other

$entres, these Peters and Johns are the best -u-ils it is true. ut the worin( )asses in the trade

unions )ust loo to these exe)-lary Peters and Johns and learn so)ethin( %ro) the) withouttou$hin( with their own hands the rudder o% $ontrol, %or it is*too earlyas yet. They ha!e not yet

learned enou(h.

4n +enins o-inion the trade unions 3 that is, the worin( $lass or(ani>ations 3 are not the $reators o%

the 'o))unist %or)s o% -eo-le e$ono)y, %or they ser!e only as a $onne$tin(3lin between the

!an(uard and the )asses: the trade unions in their e!eryday wor -ersuade )asses, )asses o% that

$lass ... et$.

That is not Trotsys $lub syste), not a )ediae!al syste) o% edu$ation. This is the Froebel3

-estalo>>is er)an syste) %ounded on studyin( exa)-les. Trade )ust do nothin( !ital in the

industries. ut they -ersuade the )asses. They )ust ee- the )asses 4n tou$h with the !an(uard,

with the Party whi$h *re)e)ber thisM does not or(ani>e -rodu$tion as a $olle$ti!e, but only $reates

o!iet e$ono)i$ institutions o% a hetero(eneous $o)-osition , whereto it a--oints 'o))unists.

Whi$h syste) is better This is the uestion. Trotsys syste), whate!er it )ay la$ in other

res-e$ts, is $learer and there%ore )ore real. 8n readin( boos and studyin( exa)-les taen %ro)

downhearted Peters and Johns, one $annot ad!an$e edu$ation too %ar. This )ust be re)e)bered, and

re)e)bered well.

uharins (rou- o$$u-ies the )iddle (round. 8r rather, it atte)-ts to $o3ordinate both syste)s o%

u-brin(in(. We )ust noti$e, howe!er, that it too %ails to re$ords the -rin$i-le o% inde-endent

$reati!eness o% the unions in industry. 4n the o-inion o% uharins (rou-, the trade unions -lay adouble role *so it is -ro$lai)ed in their thesis. 8n the one hand it *ob!iously *the role taes on

itsel% the %un$tion o% a s$hool %or 'o))unis). And, on the other hand, it taes on the %un$tions o%

an inter)ediary between the Party and the )asses *thi

the workers' opposition

Documents