,DEF5D+ ! ,BOL%EVIKS OR DEF5D+ ! TRU?8 
,A RESPONSE TO ! ,I,W,G ON ! ,RUSSIAN ,REVOLUTION 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,&REW ,FLOOD 

,TEXT 3 

,WE DON'T PLACE ANY MAJOR PRIORITY ON DEBAT+ O!R SMALL LEFT GR\PS BUT EV]Y N[ & AGA9 SU* AN EX]CISE BECOMES WOR?:ILE4 ,9 P>TICUL> DEC5T DEF5SES ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS ACTIONS DUR+ ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION >E H>D TO COME BY4 ,?AT IS ONES ?AT TRY & DEF5D !IR ACTIONS RA!R ?AN RE-WRITE HI/ORY & SL&] OPPON5TS4 ,?IS IS A REPLY TO ONE ( ! BETT] DEF5SES ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS & IS F\ND 9 ,CLASS ,/RUGGLE1 ,NO#b#b1 ,SPR+ #a#i#i#d4 

,! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION WAS ONE ( ! MO/ IMPORTANT EV5TS ( ! #b? C5TURY4 ,UNTIL REC5TLY ! MO/ IMPORTANT DEBATE ON ! LEFT WAS :E!R OR NOT IT HAD FAIL$4 ,N[ ) ! COLLAPSE ( ! ,U,S,S,R A F> MORE IMPORTANT DEBATE IS UNCOV]$1 :Y DID IT FAIL4 

,AS REVOLUTION>IES WE DISC\NT ! RI<T W+ :5 !Y SEE ! IDEA ( COMMUNISM ITSELF TO BE BLAM$4 ,A MORE DIFFICULT >GUM5T BUT ONE SYMPTOMATIC ( ! DOM9ANCE ( ,L59ISM IS ?AT REVOLUTION IS ITSELF TO BLAME4 ,?IS ALSO WILL NOT BE DISCUSS$ H]E4 ,:AT IS ! BASIS = DISCUSSION IS :E!R ! CAUSES ( ! DEG5]ATION ( ! REVOLUTION 9CLUD$ ! POLICIES & ACTIONS ( ! ,BOL%EVIK P>TY UND] ,L59 7AS ! AN>*I/S CLAIM & HAVE CLAIM$ S9CE AB\T #a#i#b#a7 OR :E!R ! DEG5]ATION IS EXPLA9ABLE 9 T]MS ( SPECIAL CIRCUM/ANCES & ! RISE ( ,/AL9 7AS ,TROTSKYISM 9CLUD+ ! ,I,W,G CLAIMS74 

,?IS HAS BE5 A DIFFICULT DEBATE TO HAVE4 ,:5 ! ,U,S,S,R WAS POPUL> ) ! VA/ BULK ( ! REVOLUTION>Y LEFT ! ,L59I/S AVOID$ ! DEBATE ALL TOGE!R4 ,!Y DISMISS$ ! AN>*I/S AS PETIT B\RGEOISIE & C\NT]-REVOLUTION>Y4 ,:5 ! ,L59I/S SPLIT 9TO ! ,/AL9I/ & ,TROTSKYISM FACTIONS !Y BO? MADE USE ( HI/ORICAL DI/ORTION TO DEF5D !IR RESPECTIVE LEAD]S ROLE 9 ! EV5TS ( #a#i#a#g-#b#a4 ,SOME ,L59I/ GR\PS 9CLUD+ ! ,S,W,P & ! ,SP>TICI/S CONT9UE 9 ?IS TRADITION TODAY1 A DEBATE ) !M SOON TURNS TO A PANTOMIME ( OH YES !Y DID1 OH NO !Y DIDN'T AS HI/ORICAL FACTS >E D5I$4 

,H[EV] ) ! COLLAPSE ( ! ,U,S,S,R1 ,L59ISM ITSELF ALSO COLLAPS$4 ,HUGE NUMB]S HAVE DES]T$ ! REVOLUTION>Y PROJECT1 )\T EV5 CA/+ A GLANCE BEH9D !M4 ,SOME H[EV] PAUS$ TO TRY TO EXPLA9 :]E !Y W5T WRONG BUT BY QUE/ION+ NOT ONLY ! ,BOL%EVIKS BUT ALSO ! PROJECT ( REVOLUTION ITSELF4 ,! FACTS !Y PUT =W>D DID H[EV] WAK5 O!RS :O REMA9$ REVOLUTION>IES4 ,EV5 IF !Y W]E SAY+ NO?+ NEW1 MO/ ( !SE FACTS HAV+ BE5 PUBLI%$ BY AN>*I/S = #g YE>S4 ,AS LONG AS IT WAS JU/ AN>*I/S !Y C\LD BE IGNOR$ BUT ! SAME FACTS COM+ \T ( !IR [N MOVEM5T C\LD NOT4 ,9 TRY+ TO ANSW] !M MANY ( !M HAVE JUMP$ %IP & DECID$ ALL EXI/+ POLITICS IS DEAD & SOME?+ 5TIRELY NEW NE$S TO BE CON/RUCT$4#a ,A FEW HAVE REMA9$ BAIL+ WAT] 9 A %IP :OSE BOTTOM IS AB\T TO DROP \T4 

,! >TICLE BE+ REPLI$ TO FITS 9TO ! R>E LAT] CATEGORY4 ,9 A WAY ITS MORE USEFUL ?AN ?OSE :O JUMP$ %IP AS 9EVITABLY !Y HAVE SAID 'YES WE W]E WRONG BUT IT DIDN'T REALLY MATT] BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION WAS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS ONCE ?\<T'#b4 ,AL?\< ! DIV+ = ! LIFEBOATS ( ! E>LI] GR\P MAY BE S5SIBLE WE %\LD HAVE SOME RESPECT TO ?OSE :O *OOSE TO /ICK TO !IR GUNS :ILE AW>E ?AT ! %IP IS S9K+#c4 ,:AT !Y PUT =W>D IS AN ATTEMPT TO JU/IFY ! ANTI WORK]S DEMOCRACY ASPECTS ( ,L59ISM AS BE+ NECESS>Y TO CREATE SOCIALISM4 ,IT'S A DEF5SE ( ! POSITION ( PUTT+ P>TY BE=E CLASS ?AT IS C5TRAL TO ,L59ISM & ,M>XISM4 

,?AT IS NOT TO SAY ! >TICLE UND] REVIEW HAS COMPLETELY BROK5 ) ! RE-WRIT+ HI/ORY APPROA*4 ,AT P>TICUL> SECTIONS ! AU?OR FALLS BACK ONTO S(T V]SIONS ( ?IS TRADITION1 UNWILL+ TO FACE ! O!RWISE 9ESCAPABLE LOGIC ( ! FACTS4 

,I,W,G @> ,AT ! BEG9N+ ( #aiag ! ,BOL%EVIKS L$ T9Y NUMB]1 ) R\<LY #b1 MEMB]S 9 ,MOSC[ & #b#c1 NATION-WIDE 9 A POPULATION ( #af MILLION4 ,BY ,OCTOB] !Y W]E ! ACKN[L$G$ LEAD]S ( ! MASSES4 ,!Y SWEPT TO P[] PROMIS+ ',L&1 BREAD & PEACE'4 ,IMM$IATELY !Y PREP>$ TO FULFILL ?AT PROMISE BY NATIONALIZ+ ! L& & H&+ ITS CULTIVATION OV] TO ! PEASANTS1 OP5+ NEGOTIATIONS TO 5D ! W>1 (F]+ SELF-DET]M9ATION TO EV]Y NATION )9 ! OLD EMPIRE & 9/ITUT+ MEASURES ( WORK]S CONTROL4 

,?IS IS H[ ! ,OCTOB] REVOLUTION IS DESCRIB$1 A DESCRIPTION ?AT RI<T FROM ! />T RECREATES HI/ORY 9 ORD] TO SET UP FUTURE DEF5SES4 ,! CLASS IS REMOV$ FROM ! HI/ORICAL PROCESS & 9/EAD ! ,BOL%EVIKS >E PRES5T$ MAK+ ! REVOLUTION & H&+ D[N GA9S TO ! PEASANTS & WORK]S4 ,H[EV] F> FROM SWEEP+ TO P[]1 P[] FELL 9TO ,BOL%EVIK H&S AS ! PROVISIONAL GOV]NM5T COLLAPS$ P>TICUL>LY 9 ,PETROGRAD )\T A SIGNIFICANT FI<T4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKS DID NOT SET A DATE = REVOLUTION UNTIL IT WAS 9 PROGRESS 7! DAY BE=E ! ,W9T] PALACE FELL74 ,?IS WAS :5 ! REVOLUTION>IES F\ND !MSELVES HOLD+ ! RE/ ( ,PETROGRAD AFT] ,K]5SKYS =CES ORD]$ ON ! (F5SIVE 9 ! CITY 9/EAD MELT$ AWAY4 

,9 ADDITION = ! MO/ P>T ! PEASANTS HAD ALREADY SEIZ$ ! L&1 ! WORK]S HAD ALREADY SEIZ$ ! FACTORIES4 ,?IS HAD BE5 GO+ ON S9CE ,FEBRU>Y ) A GR[+ MOM5TUM4 ,NOT ONLY HAD ! WORK]S ALREADY TAK5 OV] ! BULK ( ! FACTORIES BUT !Y HAD ALSO ORGANIZ$ REGIONAL & NATIONAL CO-ORD9ATION ( ?IS ACTIVITY4 ,NO LESS ?AN F\R ,PETROGRAD & REGION CONF]5CES ( FACTORY COMMITTEES HAD BE5 HELD AS WELL AS ! NATIONAL CONF]5CE PRIOR TO ! ,OCTOB] REVOLUTION4 ,MAURICE ,BR9TON1 AU?OR ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS & ,WORK]S CONTROL .<#d.> SAYS ,!SE444PROVISIONS 9 FACT ONLY LI/$ & LEGALIZ$ :AT HAD ALREADY BE5 A*IEV$ & IMPLEM5T$ 9 MANY PLACES BY ! WORK+ CLASS 9 ! C\RSE ( ! /RUGGLES ( ! PREVI\S MON?S .<#e.>4 ,SO 9/EAD ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS SEIZ+ P[] & !N H&+ \T GA9S TO GRATEFUL WORK] & PEASANTS WE HAVE ! REALITY ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS FALL+ 9TO P[] & LI/+ & LEGALIZ+ ! GA9S ALREADY WON4 

,! SIGNIFICANCE ( ?IS DIFF]5CE IS ?AT LAT] ON ! ,BOL%EVIKS & !IR DEF5D]S WILL REPEAT$LY USE ?IS IDEA ( !M CREAT+ ! ,OCTOB] REVOLUTION1 ( !IR P>TY BE+ ! VANGU>D AS ! JU/IFICATION = !IR LAT] SUPPRESSION ( WORK]S DEMOCRACY4 ,NO ONE D5IES !Y W]E BY F> ! L>GE/ WORK+ CLASS ORGANIZATION AT ! TIME ( ,OCTOB] .<#f.> :AT IS D5I$ ?AT ?IS CREAT$ A SORT ( TRANSUB/ANTIATION ?AT GAVE ! ,BOL%EVIKS A P]MAN5T RI<T TO IMPOSE !IR WILL ON ! CLASS4 ,9 ,OCTOB] ! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E ! L>GE/ WORK]S ORGANIZATION BUT IT WAS ! CLASS ?AT MADE ! REVOLUTION1 ! P>TY PLAY$ ! ROLE ( SPECTATOR1 P>TICIPANT & LEGISLATOR AFT] ! FACT4 

,! >TICLE !N CONT9UES ) AN UN/AT$ ATTEMPT TO JU/IFY ! REPRESSIVE MEASURES ! ,BOL%EVIKS TOOK PRIOR TO ! CIVIL W>4 ,WE >E TOLD BY ! ,I,W,G ?AT ,RUSSIA WAS A DEEPLY BACKW>D ECONOMY44 ?AT ! DISLOCATION CAUS$ BY ! REVOLUTION & ! 5SU+ P]IOD L$ TO *AOS 9 PRODUCTION & AGRICULTURE & A SLUMP 9 \TPUT4 ,?IS DOES SORT ( BEG ! QUE/ION ( IF ! WORK]S W]E CAPABLE ( MAK+ A REVOLUTION 9 !SE BACKW>D CONDITIONS !N :Y DID ! ,BOL%EVIKS ?9K !M 9CAPABLE ( MA9TA9+ & BUILD+ ON ?IS REVOLUTION4 

,! DE/RUCTION ( WORK]S DEMOCRACY IS NOT PRES5T$ BY ! ,I,W,G AS A COH]5T POLICY BUT RA!R AS SOME?+ ?AT HAPP5$ ,AT V>I\S PO9TS 9 TIME SO ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS SOMETIMES OV]TURN$ SOVIET DECISIONS & >RE/$ OPPOSITIONI/S ALL ( :I* WE >E ASSUR$ WAS TO DEF5D ! REVOLUTION AGA9/ 5CIRCLEM5T BY 5EMIES :O HAD NO 9T5TION ( ALL[+ ?IS EXP]IM5T 9 WORK]S DEMOCRACY TO UNFOLD4 ,9 ?IS CONT9U$ UND]/AT$ TONE WE >E TOLD ?AT UND\BT$LY44SOME 9NOC5TS RECEIV$ R\< TREATM5T AT ! H&S ( ! ,*EKA - ! SECRET POLICE4 

,A CLEV]LY WORD$ SECTION1 IF WE DID NOT KN[ ALREADY WE MI<T NOT GUESS ?AT ?IS R\< TREATM5T 9CLUD$ ! IMPRISONM5T1 TORTURE & EXECUTION ( T5S ( ?\S&S ( REVOLUTION>IES4 ,WE MI<T BE LEFT ) ! IMPRESSION ?AT ONLY ! OCCASIONAL SOVIET DECISION WAS OV]TURN$1 ONLY ! OCCASIONAL PAP] C5SOR$ & EV5 ONLY ! OCCASIONAL OPPOSITIONI/ >RE/$4 ,( C\RSE ! ,I,W,G >E AW>E ?IS IS NOT ! CASE1 !Y >E AW>E ?AT WE >E AW>E ( ?IS4 ,SO :O >E !SE WORDS BE+ CRAFT$ =8 ,LESS CYNICALLY P]HAPS ITS AN EXAMPLE ( ! PH5OM5A DESCRIB$ BY ! COMIC /RIP OV] ! NEXT C\PLE ( PAGES4 

,ITS EASY TO LOSE :AT ?IS R\< TREATM5T MEANT 9 ! MI/ ( HI/ORY4 ,AN EXAMPLE ( :AT IT MEANT = AN 9DIVIDUAL IS SE5 9 ! FAI? ( ,BOGU%4 ,HE WAS ONE ( ! AN>*I/S ( ,RUSSIAN ORIG9 EXPELL$ FROM ,AM]ICA TO ,RUSSIA 9 #aiba = HIS P>T 9 OPPOS+ ! IMP]IALI/ SLAU<T] ( WORLD W> ONE4 ,SOON AFT] >RIV+ HE W5T TO SEE ! >EA CONTROLL$ BY ! ,MHAKNOVI/S AT A TIME :5 !Y W]E 9 !IR ?IRD TREATY ) ! ,BOL%EVIKS4 ,HE WAS A FEW H\RS !RE :5 ! ,BOL%EVIKS = ! ?IRD TIME BETRAY$ ?IS TREATY1 ATTACK+ ! ,MHAKNOVI/S )\T W>N+4 ,HE IMM$IATELY RETURN$ TO ,KHRAKOV :]E HE WAS >RE/$ BY ! ,*EKA1 & %OT 9 ,M>* ( #a#i#b#a4.<#g.> ,BOGU% WAS JU/ ONE EXAMPLE AMONG HUNDR$S BUT ?OSE :O SPEAK ( 'R\< TREATM5T' %\LD FIR/ PUT !MSELVES 9 HIS %OES4 ,AT ! TIME ( ! ?IRD TREATY BETWE5 ! ,MHAKNOVI/S & ! ,BOL%EVIKS ONE ( ! PROVISIONS WAS ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS %\LD RELEASE 'LEFT' PRISON]S4 ,! ,MHAKNOVI/S E/IMAT$ !IR NUMB] AT ?IS TIME TO BE #b11 MO/LY PEASANTS :O HAD F\<T ) OR BE5 SYMPA!TIC TO ! ,MHAKNOVI/S BUT ALSO ! AN>*I/ ACTIVI/S ( EV]Y REGION & CITY4 ,?IS IS MORE ?AN SOME 9NOC5TS 4 

,! SUPPRESSION WAS ANY?+ BUT OCCASIONAL & SOMETIMES R\<1 BUT 9 FACT COMPLETE1 ULTIMATELY EXT5D+ TO ! P>TY ITSELF 9 #aiba & BRUTAL4 ,I'LL DEAL ) ! >GUM5TS SECTION HEAD+1 BY SECTION HEAD+4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,BOL%EVIKS AS 'SELF-APPO9T$ ELITE' 

,! HEAD+ ( ?IS SECTION IS 9 ITSELF DIS+5U\S4 ,ALL REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZATIONS >E 'SELF-APPO9T$'1 \R PROBLEM WAS NOT ! FACT ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS CONTROLL$ :O C\LD JO9 ! P>TY BUT ?AT ! P>TY CONTROLL$ ! /ATE4 ,WE >E TOLD ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E A P>TY ROOT$ FIRMLY 9 ! WORK+ CLASS1 ?AT !Y W]E A P>TY ( WORK]S1 ?AT !Y W]E PROV5 TO BE ! LEAD+ P>TY ( ! WORK+ CLASS BY !IR MAJORITY 9 ! SOVIETS4 ,NONE ( ?IS SAYS ANY?+ BEYOND ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E AT ONE /AGE MASSIVELY POPUL>1 A SIMIL> DEF5SE C\LD NO D\BT BE APPLI$ TO ! ,M5%IVIKS OR ,SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION>IES4 ,AS LONG AS ! SOVIETS AGRE$ ) ! ,BOL%EVIKS !N IT W\LD BE RI<T TO EXPECT ,BOL%EVIK POLICY TO BE IMPLEM5T$4 ,BUT :AT HAPP5S :5 ! ,SOVIET TAKES A DECISION ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIK P>TY DISAGREE )4 ,DOES ! FACT ?AT ! ,SOVIET AGRE$ ) ! P>TY YE/]DAY GIVE ! P>TY ! RI<T TO CRU% ! ,SOVIET TODAY8 

,WE >E TOLD ?AT ! CLAIM ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS LACK$ FAI? 9 ! WORK+ CLASS'S ABILITY TO MANAGE P[] IS ABSOLUTELY )\T F\NDATION4 ,WE WILL GO ON TO DISCUSS ! F\NDATION ( ?IS *>GE BUT = A MOM5T LETS LOOK AT ! ,I,W,G D5IAL ( IT4 ,WE >E TOLD ?AT ,L59 /AT$ ?AT ! WORK]S & PEASANTS C\LD & W\LD SEIZE P[]1 H>DLY AN ISSUE !Y DID 9DE$ SEIZE P[] BUT ?AT IS NOT ! SAME AS MANAG+ ! FUTURE SOCIETY 7MANAGE P[]74 

,/RANGELY ,TROTSKY'S /EAM 5G9E ANALOGY IS US$ ,)\T A GUID+ ORGANIZATION ! 5]GY ( ! MASSES WILL DISSIPATE LIKE /EAM 9 A PI/ON BOX4 ,BUT NEV]!LESS :AT MOVES ?+S IS NOT ! PI/ON OR ! BOX1 BUT ! /EAM .<#h.> 

,?IS SUGGE/S ?AT AGA9 EI!R ! ,I,W,G DO NOT UND]/& ! >GUM5TS BE+ MADE OR ?AT !Y >E BE+ DIS-+5I\S4 ,! ACCUSATION IS PRECISELY ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS SAW ! WORK]S 9 T]MS ( BL9DLY MOV+ /EAM 9 A BOX1 SOME?+ 9CAPABLE ( BE+ CREATIVE UNLESS AN \TSIDE =CE GAVE !M DIRECTION 79/RUCTIONS74 ,\R /EAM BOX C\LD EQUALLY WELL BE AN ANALOGY = CAPITALISM :]E ! CAPITALI/S DO ! PLANN+ & ! WORK]S FOLL[ ! PLANS TO PRODUCE ! GOODS4 ,\R PO9T IS PRECISELY ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS DID NOT BELIEVE IT POSSIBLE = ! WORK+ CLASS TO PLAN & CO-ORD9ATE PRODUCTION1 9 %ORT TO BREAK D[N ?IS DI/9CTION BETWE5 /EAM & PI/ON4 

,F9ALLY ANO!R IRRELEVANCY IS ?R[N UP4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E WILL+ TO %>E ! PI/ON BOX ) ! LEFT ,S,R'S4 ,9 %ORT WE >E BE+ TOLD1 LOOK AT ?IS GIV5 MOM5T ! ,BOL%EVIKS HAD MASS SUPPORT SO !RE=E !Y W]E ! RI<T 'MANAG]S' ( ! FUTURE SOCIETY4 ,!Y W]E EV5 WILL+ TO %>E ?IS ) ! LEFT-,S,R'S.<#i.>4 ,SOME:]E ONE CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL ?AT ! IDEA ( A FUTURE SOCIETY BE+ CON/RUCT$ DEMOCRATICALLY BY ! WORK]S !MSELVES RA!R ?AN ?R\< OCCASIONALLY ELECT$ REPRES5TATIVES PASS$ !M BY4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,DID ! ,BOL%EVIKS DE/ROY ,SOVIET DEMOCRACY8 

,?IS QUE/ION RECEIVES A YES BUT444 ANSW]4 ,! BUTS ESS5TIALLY BREAK D[N TO CLAIM+ IT WAS ONLY AN EXCEPTIONAL MEASURE4 ,9 FACT ! ,BOL%EVIKS CLOS$ ALL SOVIETS ?AT OPPOS$ !M ON ANY SUB/ANTIAL ISSUE & OV] A C\PLE ( YE>S REMOV$ DECISION MAK+ P[] FROM ! SOVIETS ALTOGE!R1 SO ?AT !Y W]E ONLY A TALK+ %OP1 DESIGN$ TO TRANSF] DECISIONS D[N FROM ! GOV]NM5T TO ! WORK+ CLASS4 ,! ,I,W,G SAY ! SUBORD9ATION ( DIRECT DEMOCRATIC CONTROL BY ! WORK] SOVIETS DOES NOT 9 ITSELF PROVE ! EXI/5CE ( 9H]5TLY DEG5]ATIVE DEFECTS 9 ! NEW REGIME4 ,( C\RSE ! SOVIETS >E ONLY ONE EXAMPLE ( ! PROBLEM SO ! 9 ITSELF DOES NOT APPLY1 WE >E 9DE$ TALK+ AB\T A BROAD] PICTURE4 ,EV5 SO CAN WE REALLY TALK AB\T BUILD+ SOCIALISM IF ! ORGANS ( WORK]S DEMOCRACY >E NOT ALL[$ TO OP]ATE FREELY4 ,! ,I,W,G SEEM TO TREAT WORK]S DEMOCRACY AS A P]IPH]AL ISSUE1 IC+ ON ! CAKE4 ,AN>*I/S >GUE IT IS ! CORE TO CON/RUCT+ A SOCIALI/ SOCIETY1 IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROGRESS )\T IT4 

,! SUPPRESSION ( ,SOVIET DEMOCRACY REA*$ IT LOGICAL CONCLUSION 9 #aiba :5 ! ,KRONSDADT SOVIET1 HE>T ( ! #aiag REVOLUTION WAS /ORM$ BY ,BOL%EVIK =CES1 ITS LEAD]S EXECUT$ OR =C$ 9TO EXILE & ! RANK & FILE IMPRISON$1 & SCATT]$ ALL OV] ! ,U,S,S,R4 ,SOVIET DEMOCRACY WAS NOT JU/ AN ISSUE ( DEBATE BUT ONE MANY WORK]S DI$ 9 FI<T+ =4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,ELIM9ATION ( RIVALS 

,?IS SECTION IS TELL+4 ,WE >E TOLD ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS DID NOT WI% TO BE A ONE P>TY /ATE1 ! EXAMPLE ( !IR 'P[]' %>+ ) ! LEFT ,S,R'S IS (F]$ UP AS PRO(4 ,?IS P[] %>+ CONSI/$ ( ! LEFT ,S,R'S HAV+ #g MEMB]S \T ( #ah ON ! ,C\NCIL ( ,PEOPLES ,COMMISS>S1 ESS5TIALLY ! CAB9ET4 ,BECAUSE ! ,BOL%EVIKS DECID$ POLICY 9 ADVANCE ?R\< !IR C5TRAL COMMITTEE & HAD A MAJORITY 7! REMA9+ #aa DELEGATES7 ?IS WAS MEAN+LESS4 ,9 REALITY ! ,BOL%EVIK C5TRAL COMMITTEE DECID$ POLICY4 ,?IS IS ALSO A DI/RACTION1 ! MORE IMPORTANT PO9T IS ?AT ITS NOT A QUE/ION ( TWO P>TIES '%>+ P[]' SO ?AT #ah RA!R ?AN #aa VOT$ ON DECISIONS BUT RA!R ( ! WORK+ CLASS ITSELF MAK+ DECISIONS4 

,! MEAN+LESS ( ! P[] '%>+' IS %[N BY ! TREATY ( ,BRE/-,LIVTOSK4 ,?IS CONTROV]SIAL TREATY TOOK ! ,U,S,S,R \T ( ! W> BUT H&$ OV] MASSIVE >EAS TO ,G]MANY4 ,! ,BOL%EVIK ,C,C WAS SPLIT OV] IT BUT VOT$ #d AGA9/1 #d AB/A9 & #e = IT4 ,WE DON'T 9T5D TO REPEAT ! >GUM5T ( ! RI<TS & WRONGS ( ! TREATY H]E1 ! PO9T IS ?AT #ac PEOPLE DECID$ ! FUTURE FAI? ( ,RUSSIA 9 ?IS VOTE4 ,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ! ,S,R'S *OOSE TO REVOLT1 P[] %>+ WAS USELESS TO !M & !Y SAW ?IS DECISION AS USELESS TO ! REVOLUTION4 ,BUT ! ,S,R'S (F]$ NO ALT]NATIVE & !IR REVOLT PET]$ \T4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKS US$ ?IS AS A PRETEXT TO GET RID ( ! LA/ OPPOSITIONAL =CES ) ! EXCEPTION ( ?OSE ,S,R'S :O CON=M$ TO !IR POLICY OR AS ! ,I,W,G PUT IT PL$G$ SUPPORT = ! RESOLUTIONS = ! #e? ALL ,RUSSIAN CONGRESS ( SOVIETS4 

,?IS SECTION ALSO M5TIONS ! CRU%+ ( ! AN>*I/ MOVEM5T 9 ,MOSC[ & ,PETROGRAD 9 ! SPR+ ( #a#i#a#h4 ,IT ATTEMPTS TO LUMP !SE =CES 9 ) ! ,M5%EVIKS1 A FAMILI> TACTIC ( :AT ! ,I,W,G LIKE TO CALL ,/AL9ISM4 ,! AN>*I/S W]E CRU%$ AT ! MOM5T !IR MOVEM5T WAS />T+ TO GR[1 ! ,CONF$]ATION ( AN>*I/ SYNDICALI/S 7,K,A,S7 CLAIM$ DELEGATES REPRES5T+ #g#e1 WORK]S AT ! TRADE UNION CONF]5CE ?AT YE>4 ,! AN>*I/S =M$ ! ,BLACK GU>DS TO PROTECT !IR CLUBS & ORGANIZATION FROM ! ,*EKA1 SECRET POLICE4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKS C\LD TOL]ATE NO MILITIA 9DEP5D5T ( !IR /ATE CONTROL & SO CRU%$ !M1 KILL+ #d 9 ! PROCESS & IMPRISON+ HUNDR$S4 

,?IS ILLU/RATES H[ MEAN+LESS ! TALK ( P[] %>+ WAS1 ONCE ! IDEAS ( ! AN>*I/ BECAME POPUL> !Y W]E CRU%$4 ,?IS SORT ( DEMOCRACY IS MEAN+LESS4 ,WE >E TOLD ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS DID NOT ALWAYS DRAW A F9E L9E BETWE5 C\NT] REVOLUTION & ?OSE :O ON PO9T ( PR9CIPLE REFUS$ TO 5DORSE ! NEW REGIME4 ,AGA9 AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO SUGGE/ ! :ITES & ,AN>*I/S %>$ SIMIL> POSITIONS1 AGA9 ! REALITY BE+ ?AT !Y HELD POSITIONS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOS$1 ,! DIFF]5CE 9 H[ TO BUILD SOCIALISM IS ELEVAT$ 9TO A DIFF]5CE OV] DEF5D+ SOCIALISM :ILE ! REPRESSION IS D[NPLAY$ 9TO A F9E L9E4 ,?IS LANGUAGE AGA9 RECALLS ! ME?ODS ( ! ,/AL9I/S :O S\<T TO CONFUSE ,TROTSKYISM & FASCISM4 ,! ME?ODS ( ,/AL9ISM & ,L59ISM LIE NEXT TO EA* O!R1 & ! ,I,W,G MAKE USE ( SU* ME?ODS BUT >E SEEM+LY UNAW>E ( ?IS4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,SUBORD9ATION ( ! ,FACTORY ,COMMITTEES 

,?IS SECTIONS /&S \T 9 ITS ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD ! IGNORANT4 ,! SUPPRESSION ( ! FACTORY COMMITTEE MOVEM5T IS PRES5T$ AS NO MORE ?AN A FUSION TO OV]COME LOCALISM & IMPROVE EFFICI5CY4 ,IT'S ?REE P>AGRAPH TREATM5T IS AN ATTEMPT TO D5Y ! MO/ IMPORTANT ASPECTS ( ! ,BOL%EVIK CRU%+ ( SOCIALISM4 ,! ISSUE SIMPLY PUT WAS H[ W\LD ! ECONOMY BE RUN1 BY ! WORK]S !MSELVES1 ?R\< DELEGATES !Y *OOSE & M&AT$ OR BY BUREAUCRATS & MANAG]S APPO9T$ BY ! /ATE4 

,IT IS NOT JU/ A MORAL OBJECTION TO ! ,BOL%EVIK DE/RUCTION ( WORK]S DEMOCRACY ?AT COMES 9TO PLAY1 IT IS ! FACT ?AT SOCIALISM C\LD NOT BE BUILT BY ?IS /ATE BUREAUCRACY4 ,! ,I,W,G MI<T CONSID] ! IMPOSITION ( ! DICTATOR%IP ( ! P>TY A %ORTCUT TO SOCIALISM4 ,9 REALITY ! LA/ #ge YE>S HAVE DEMON/RAT$ ?AT IT IS A DEAD 5D4 ,E>LI] 9 !IR >TICLE ! ,I,W,G CITE ! CONT9U$ FALL ( PRODUCTION AFT] ! REVOLUTION AS JU/IFICATION = ! DICTATOR%IP4 ,IT IS CLE> H[EV] FROM CONTEMPOR>Y ACC\NTS & FROM ! DIFF]5T PATT]N ( ! ,SPANI% REVOLUTION ?AT ?IS DROP WAS F> FROM 9EVITABLE4 ,IT >OSE FROM ! ,BOL%EVIKS REMOV+ ALL 9ITIATIVE FROM ! WORK]S & PLAC+ IT 9 ! H&S ( ! /ATE4 

,?IS SECTION IS ALSO DI%ONE/ 9 CLAIM+ ! TRANS=MATION WAS SIMPLY FROM ! FACTORY COMMITTEES TO ! TRADE UNIONS4 ,9 FACT ON A LOCAL LEVEL IT MEANT TRANSF] TO ONE MAN MANAGEM5T4 ,ON A NATIONAL LEVEL IT MEANT TRANSF] FROM DELEGATES ELECT$ FROM ! WORK]S TO /ATE BODIES ) ONLY A FEW APPO9T$ TRADE UNION (FICIALS4 ,EV5 ?IS WAS ABSORB$ ALMO/ IMM$IATELY BY ! ,V,5,S,5,K,A COMPROMIS$ ALMO/ COMPLETELY ( APPO9TEES ( ! V>I\S GOV]NM5T M9I/RIES 7,COMMISS>IATS74 ,! TRANS=MATION ?US WAS FACTORY COMMITTEE TO /ATE CONTROL1 EV5 ! UNION BUREAUCRACY NEV] REALLY HAD ANY SAY 9 ! RUNN+ ( ! ECONOMY4 

,IT IS ALSO DI%ONE/ TO IMPLY ! FACTORY COMMITTEES W]E A SECTIONAL 9T]E/4 ,! ,I,W,G >E AW>E ( ! HI/ORICAL FACTS & !SE 9CLUDE ?AT ! COMMITTEES HAD ORGANIZ$ ON A NATIONAL BASIS BE=E ,OCTOB] & HAD REJECT$ ! IDEA ?AT EA* FACTORY C\LD BE SE5 AS 5TITL$ TO OP]ATE 9DEP5D5TLY ( ! :OLE4 ,F\R NATIONAL CONGRESSES HAD OCCURR$ BE=E ! FACTORY COMMITTEE MOVEM5T WAS REPRESS$1 ALL CONC]N$ ) ORGANIZ+ ! NATIONAL ECONOMY4 ,! SECTIONAL ACCUSATION IS SO TRANSP>5TLY FALSE ?AT IT IS CLE>LY ?R[N 9 AS AN ATTEMPT TO CONFUSE ?OSE :O KN[ LITTLE AB\T !SE EV5TS4 

,! SECTION 5DS ) A R$ H]R+1 WE >E TOLD !RE WAS NO CONSPIRACY BECAUSE ! MAJORITY ( DELEGATES W]E ,BOL%EVIKS4 ,AGA9 ?IS IS ! IDEA ( ! VANGU>D FROZ5 9 TIME4 ,IT IS CLE> FROM READ+ :AT !SE DELEGATES W]E SAY+ ?AT !Y W]E AGA9/ :AT ! P>TY WAS DO+4 ,AS YET !Y HAD NOT REALIZ$ ! DANG] & NO BREAK HAD BE5 MADE1 AS SU* !Y REPRES5T$ ?OSE :O HAD BE5 FOOL$ BY ! LIB]T>IAN RHETORIC ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS AT ! TIME ( ,OCTOB]4 ,:5 !Y DID RAISE ! DEBATE )9 ! P>TY 9 #aiba IT WAS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE4 

,! LA/ S5T5CE IT WOR? EXAM9+4 ,WE >E TOLD ! DE/RUCTION ( ! FACTORY COMMITTEES WAS TO ELIM9ATE ORGANIZATIONAL *AOS & MAKE BE/ USE ( CRITICALLY SC>CE RES\RCES4 ,A KEY IDEA ( ,L59ISM IS ?AT ! M9ORITY ( P>TY 9TELLECTUALS IS MORE CAPABLE ( ORGANIZ+ PRODUCTION ?AN ! ACTUAL WORK]S 9VOLV$ 9 PRODUCTION LEAPS \T4 ,9 REALITY ! P>TY WAS 9CAPABLE ( IMPROV+ ON ! SITUATION4 ,RES\RCE WA/AGE 9CREAS$ & IT WAS ONLY BY ! MILIT>IZATION ( LABOR ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS MANAG$ TO PREV5T ! COMPLETE COLLAPSE4 ,?IS WAS NOT ALL ?AT DIFF]5T FROM ! 'IMPROVEM5TS' CREAT$ BY ,/AL9'S FIVE YE> PLANS1 ALSO BAS$ ON SCREW+ ! WORK+ CLASS AS H>D AS POSSIBLE TO PAY = IMPROVEM5TS 9 PRODUCTION4 

,ALMO/ ALL ! AN>*I/ :O WROTE UP !IR EXP]I5CES ( ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION DEMON/RATE H[ ! ,BOL%EVIKS CRU%$ ! 9ITIATIVE ( LOCAL WORK]S4 ,VOL9E GIVES A LONG ACC\NT ( EV5TS 9 ! ,NOBEL OIL REF9]Y 9 #aiah :5 ! ,BOL%EVIKS HAD ORD]$ IT CLOS$ AS !Y W]E UNABLE TO ORGANIZE ! MA9T5ANCE ( PRODUCTION4 ,A MASS MEET+ WAS CALL$ AT :I* ! WORK]S \TL9$ H[ !Y C\LD CONT9UE PRODUCTION US+ ! SKILLS & CONTACTS !Y HAD ACQUIR$ OV] ! YE>S WORK+ !RE4 ,! ,BOL%EVIK RESPONSE WAS SIMPLE1 ! WORK]S W]E TOLD ! FACTORY WAS CLOS+ & ?AT IF !Y MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO KEEP IT OP5 !Y W\LD LOSE !IR COMP5SATION & W\LD BE =C$ TO CLOSE BY ! >MY4 ,F> FROM DICTATOR%IP SAV+ ! ECONOMY IT F9I%$ ITS DE/RUCTION1 BO? BECAUSE IT WAS UNABLE TO ORGANIZE PRODUCTION & BECAUSE IT ALI5AT$ WORK]S & PEASANTS ALIKE4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,PRIVILEGES = ,SPECIALI/S 

,?IS SECTION IS BASE ON AN UNSUB/ANT$ OP9ION1 ?AT #aiag %[$ ?AT ! IMM$IATE WORK]S' MANAGEM5T 9 YE> ONE ( ! REVOLUTION IS A UTOPIA4 ,?IS CLAIM SEEMS ALL ! MORE BIZ>RE :5 Y\ CONSID] ?AT #b YE>S LAT] WORK]S MANAGEM5T RI<T UP TO REGIONAL LEVEL BECAME ! RULE 9 MANY ( ! COLLECTIVIZ$ 9DU/RIES 9 NOR!RN ,SPA94 ,& UNLIKE ,RUSSIA ! CIVIL W> 9 ,SPA9 SAW AN 9CREASE 9 \TPUT4 ,! HI/ORICAL EVID5CE W\LD SEEM TO SUGGE/ ?AT ! OP9ION ?AT ?IS :OLE SECTION IS BUILT >\ND IS FALSE4 

,SECTION HEAD$ ,BUILD+ ! NEW ,/ATE APP>ATUS 

,?IS SECTION />TS BY TELL+ US ?AT ,! PROCESS ( BUILD+ /ATE 9/ITUTIONS44WAS A HAPHAZ>D ONE4 ,?IS PROCESS IS ALSO DESCRIB$ AS 9TRICATE & COMPLEX4 ,TO !SE AN>*I/S MI<T ADD UNNECESS>Y & C\NT] REVOLUTION>Y4 

,! ,BOL%EVIK /ATE APP>ATUS C\LD NOT PUT ! ECONOMY BACK ON ITS FEET BECAUSE EV5 AT ?AT /AGE ! ,RUSSIAN ECONOMY WAS TOO COMPLEX TO BE RAN BY BUREAUCRATIC 7/ATE7 PLAN4 ,9 ! 5D ?IS SAW A RETURN TO ! SELF-ORGANIZ+ ABILITY ( CAPITALISM 9 ! =M ( ! ,N,E,P4 

,! KEY FLAW 9 ?IS :OLE SET UP WAS :]E ! ,BOL%EVIKS C\LD SEE CAPITALISM OP]AT$ AS A SELF ORGANIZ+ SY/EM !Y ?\<T SOCIALISM C\LD NOT OP]ATE 9 ?IS FA%ION4 ,AN>*I/S >GUE ?AT SOCIALISM CAN ONLY BE CON/RUCT$ ?R\< A SELF-ORGANIZ+ SY/EM BAS$ ON WORK]S DEMOCRACY4 ,9/EAD ( A S+LE DECISION MAK+ PO9T A MULTITUDE ( 9T]ACT+ P>TS EXI/1 EA* CAPABLE ( JUDG+ !IR [N CAPABILITY & NE$S4 ,! 9T]ACTION BETWE5 !SE =MS A 'PLAN' FROM BEL[4 ,SELF-ORGANIZ+ SY/EMS >E COMMON 9 NATURE1 9DE$ EMBRYO DEVELOPM5T IS ONE COMPLEX EXAMPLE1 CONTROLL$ NOT BY ANY WAT* MAK] BUT BY ! 9T]ACTION BETWE5 ! CELLS ( ! DEVELOP+ EMBRYO4 

,! ,BOL%EVIK /ATE MAY NOT HAVE BE5 CAPABLE ( RUNN+ ! COMPLEX ECONOMY BUT IT WAS CAPABLE ( MAK+ SURE ?AT NO ONE ELSE C\LD4 ,! ONLY SUCCESSFUL 9T]V5TION ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS WAS 9 PREV5T+ ANY =M ( SELF-ORGANIZATION OCCURR+1 9CLUD+ EXAMPLES LIKE ! ,NOBEL OIL FACTORY4 ,9 !IR EAG]NESS TO CONTROL ! ECONOMY ! ,BOL%EVIKS ?ROTTL$ IT4 

,! RESPONSE TO ! RESULT+ DECL9E 9 \TPUT WAS ! SAME AS ,/AL9'S AT ! 5D ( ! ,N,E,P P]IOD4 ,TO IMPOSE /RICT] & /RICT] FACTORY DISCIPL9E1 TO PROMOTE /AKNOVITISM 7!N CALL$ SUBBOTNIKS71 TO CEASE GOODS & /AMP \T B>T] & TO TRY & F9D BETT] ME?ODS ( BUREAUCRATIC CONTROL4 ,! ,I,W,G DESCRIBE ! IMPOSITION ( MILIT>Y DISCIPL9E ON SECTIONS ( ! LABOR =CE AS AN APPEAL4 ,MILIT>Y DISCIPL9E WAS NOT SOME?+ WORK]S ACCEPT$ AFT] BE+ APPEAL$ TO1 IT WAS SOME?+ IMPOS$ ON !M FROM ABOVE ) ! SAME CONSEQU5CES = !MAS SOLDI]S AT ! TIME HAD = 'DES]TION'OR REFUS+ TO OBEY ORD]S4 

,SECTION ON ,DESP]ATE MEASURES 

,! ,I,W,G F9D SOME CRITICISMS ?AT CAN BE SAFELY MADE ( ! ,BOL%EVIKS1 ! BANN+ ( P>TY FACTIONS 9 #a#i#b#a1 & ! /ATIZATION ( ! TRADE UNIONS4 ,IT IS PRET5D$ ?AT ,L59 ALWAYS OPPOS$ ! SECOND1 HE DID NOT 9 FACT1 ONLY COM+ TO OPPOSE IT AFT] ,TROTSKY'S WOR/ EXCESSES 9 #a#i#b4 ,UP TO ?IS HE HAD SUPPORT$ IT4 ,! REASON !SE TWO >EAS >E 'SAFE' IS BECAUSE OPPOSITION TO !M CAME FROM )9 ! P>TY4 ,NO UND]/&+ IS PRES5T H[EV] ?AT !SE W]E NOT ISOLAT$ S+LE ISSUES BUT ! CULM9ATION ( ! /AMP+ \T ( DEBATE & DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OV] ! ECONOMY4 

,! RE/ ( ! >TICLE CONT9UES AS A /&>D ANALYSIS ( ,/AL9'S RISE TO P[] AL?\< IT REPEATS ?IS CURI\S IDEA ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E GIV5 A M&ATE 9 ,OCTOB] ( #aiag ?AT C\LD NOT BE LAT] REMOV$ FROM !M4 ,?IS IDEA IS KEY TO ! DEF5SE ( ! ,BOL%EVIK LEGACY1 AS IT IS CLE> !Y QUICKLY LO/ ?IS POPUL>ITY4 ,IT SEEMS /RANGE 7TO SAY ! LEA/7 ?AT ?OSE :O W\LD CLAIM TO BE = ! RI<T ( RECALL 9 ! CONTEXT ( A TRADE UNION W\LD VIGOR\SLY D5Y ?IS RI<T 9 A WORK]S /ATE4 

,OV]ALL ! IMPRESSION ?AT ,I AM LEFT ) IS ( ! AU?OR HOLD+ ! L9E DESPITE NOT BE+ V]Y CONFID5T ?AT %E IS DO+ ! RI<T ?+4 ,READ+ ,VICTOR ,S]GE'S ACC\NT ( !SE EV5TS Y\ BECOME AW>E ( A SIMIL> EMOTIONAL ATTA*M5T1 ONE SIMIL> TO ,LORD ,D5N+S /ATEM5T AB\T ! CONSEQU5CES ( CONSID]+ ?AT ! ,BIRM+HAM #f W]E 9NOC5T4 ,IF ! ACCUSATIONS ! AN>*I/S LAY AGA9/ ! ,BOL%EVIKS IS TRUE !N A T]RIBLE VI/A IS 9DE$ OP5$4 ,= IT FOLL[S ?AT ! ,BOL%EVIKS W]E NOT JU/ WRONG ON ONE OR TWO ISSUES BUT !IR POLITICAL \TLOOK RI<T D[N TO ! CORE WAS WRONG4 ,?AT ?OSE :O HAD SACRIFIC$ MU* 9 ! YE>S BE=E #aiag !N W5T ON TO DE/ROY ! REVOLUTION !Y HAD DESIR$ ) !IR [N H&S4 ,A LONG ATTA*M5T TO A P>TICUL> SET ( BELIEFS IS SOME?+ ?AT IS H>D TO BREAK FROM4 ,BUT IF !Y >E WRONG !N IT IS BETT] TO MAKE ?IS BREAK !N WA/+ TIME FLOGG+ A DEAD HORSE4 

.<#d.> ?IS IS ! MA9 TEXT ,I USE = REF]5CE TO :AT HAPP5$ >\ND ! /RUGGLE = WORK]S DEMOCRACY 9 ! FACTORIES4 ,IT,OS A VITAL READ = ANYBODY S]I\S AB\T ?IS DEBATE4 

.<#f.> ,AL?\< 9 ABSOLUTE T]MS ! ,SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION>IES HAD MU* GREAT] SUPPORT1 DUE TO !IR F> GREAT] IMPLEM5TATION 9 ! PEASANTRY4 

.<#g.> ,VOL9E1 ,! ,UNKN[N ,REVOLUTION1 ,PAGE #f#i#c-#f#i#d4 

.<#h.> ,L4,TROTSKY1 ,! ,HI/ORY ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,REVOLUTION1 ,PLUTO1 P4#a#i 

.<#i.> ,AL?\< 9 PRACTICE ?IS WAS MEAN+LESS AS DECISION MAK+ 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#c1 #bba 3 ,DEF5D+ ! ,BOL%EVIKS OR DEF5D+ ! TRU?8 -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #f1 #bbb 3 ,DEF5D+ ! ,BOL%EVIKS OR DEF5D+ ! TRU?8 -- ,UPDAT$4 

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