The Eternal Path to Communism: From Marx via Lenin and Stalin to Solzhenitsyn and Gorbachev

Abstract

It is shown that the destination of communists can never be reached. The goal of the perfect society is one which lies beyond the powers of human nature. The analytical teachings of Marxism were accepted by Lenin who devoted himself to the implementation of them in a Russian setting and thereby creating a socialist society. The Party was the dictatorship of the proletariat and not averse to the use of force. Stalin sought to create the centrally planned economy with a mailed fist and became a self‐appointed dictator at the same time as he paid lip service to the Marxist‐Leninist ideology. Solzhenitsyn decries the evils of the USSR and attributes them to the evils of the Marxist‐Leninist ideology. Gorbachev, alive to the shortcomings of the socialist society and the dangers of a nuclear war has, unlike his predecessors, assumed the role of diplomat and peacemaker. Communism is still bent on world domination.

Citation

Conway O'Brien, J. (1991), "The Eternal Path to Communism: From Marx via Lenin and Stalin to Solzhenitsyn and Gorbachev", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 18 No. 5/6/7, pp. 10-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068299110145399