Substitutionism is a term in Marxist theory which refers to the relationship between the revolutionary party and the working class, in which the party acts on behalf of the working class rather than through its direct participation. The concept is used by Marxist critics to describe a departure from the Marxist principle that the emancipation of the working class must be carried out by itself.[1] The term was coined by Leon Trotsky in 1904 as a critique of Vladimir Lenin’s conception of the party, arguing that it risked sidelining the working class in favor of party leadership.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Engels, Friedrich (September 17–18, 1879). "Strategy and Tactics of the Class Struggle". Marxist Internet Archive. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ↑ Cliff, Tony (1960). "Trotsky on substitutionism". International Socialism (2): 14–17, 22–26. ISSN 1754-4653. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.
"A Country Study: Soviet Union (Former)". Retrieved December 4, 2006.
Further reading
edit- Trotsky, Leon (1904). "Tactical Tasks: The content of our activity in the proletariat". Our Political Tasks. London: New Park Publications. OCLC 657979984.