Socialist Appeal - Marxism and the State

Marxism and the State

Written by Workers International League

Wednesday, 21 June 2006

Level 1: Introduction to the Marxist View of the State

The Principles of Communism - Frederick Engels
This work by Engels elaborates the basic points of communism. It describes the origins of the proletariat, what the proletariat is, how the proletarians differ from pre-capitalist classes, how the revolution must be internationalist, etc. This work was written shortly before the Communist Manifesto, and it is a great work for beginners to read, digest, and understand. The Communist Manifesto is a terrific follow up to this work.

The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism - Lenin
n this very brief work, Lenin sums up the main theoretical aspects of Marxism: Dialectical Materialism, Historical Materialism, and Marxist Economics. It briefly discusses important discoveries of Marx, such as surplus-value, in addition to how Marxism is consistent materialism (the "professional philosphers" of the Bourgeoisie spend much of their time trying to refute materialism. Lenin made that point in this work, and it is still relevant to this day.). He also briefly discusses how the official and liberal sciences cannot be impartial in a socitey based on wage slavery. This is a great introductory work to Marxism.

Socialism Made Easy - James Connolly

Bourgeois Democracy and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat - Lenin

Level : Marxist Opposition to Terrorism and Blanquism

Why Marxists Oppose Individual Terrorism - Leon Trotsky

Marxism and Insurrection - Lenin

Level 2: The State and Revolution

Marxism and the State - Phil Mitchinson

The State: A Lecture at Sverdlov University - Lenin

The State and Revolution - Lenin
This is Lenin's classic work on the Marxist theory of the state. In it, key components of the Marxist theory of the state are discussed, including the origin of the state, the transistion from socialism to communism, proletarian democracy compared to Bourgeois democracy, and the real function of a state.

Level 3: Classical Writings on the Origins, Development, and Ending of the State

Origins of the Family, Private Property, and the State - Frederick Engels

Level 4: Marxism versus Opportunism and Reformism

The Proletarian Revolution and the Renegade Kautsky - Lenin
This classic work of Lenin's is directed against Karl Kautsky's work, "The Dictatorship of the Proletariat". Kautsky was once a prominent Marxist, but when World War I broke out, he broke completely with Marxism. This work is an excellent follow-up to "The State and Revolution", as it deals with aspects of the proletarian state that was being built in the early USSR. In addition to its important theoretical formulations, it is supplemented by the actual practice that was experienced by the workers of the early USSR, therefore proving the accuracy and correctness of "The State and Revolution". Kautsky used pro-Bourgeois arguments in his work against Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and this refutation is a must-read, as it helps to dispel the myths about the Bolsheviks being a "tiny, hated minority". It also shows the hypocrisy of Bourgeois claims about democracy. Such arguments employed by Kautsky back then are employed by "orthodox Marxists" and Anarchists to this very day, and this work will help the reader understand the false reasoning behind such arguments.

Reform or Revolution - Rosa Luxemburg

Trotsky's Critique of Popular Frontism

Level 5: The Permenant Revolution

The Permenant Revolution and Results and Prospects - Leon Trotsky

Level 6: The Revolution and Tasks of the Marxists

Socialism on Trial - James Cannon

The Transitional Program for Socialist Revolution - Leon Trotsky

Discussion with Trotsky on the Transitional Program

Level 7: The Lessons of the Paris Commune

The Paris Commune of 1871 - Greg Oxley

Lessons of the Paris Commune - Leon Trotsky

The Civil War in France - Karl Marx