3554. The Bolshevik Revolution On Its Centenary: What We Must Not Forget

By Olga Fernandez Rio, CubaDebate, November 7, 2017

Lenin with Leon Trotsky as the leader of the Red Army at his side
at the second anniversary of the Russian October revolution

The October Revolution of 1917 in Russia has a lot to do with the current search for a better world to which millions of human beings aspire for having provoked a far-reaching revolutionary transformation, beyond the Russian - later Soviet - borders, and for being the first experience of disconnection from capitalist and imperialist domination.

The merits of this important event are multiplied if we take into account the economic conditions of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, an immense semi-feudal country, with millions of illiterate people and only a few pockets of industrial development. Added to this is that when he overthrew the reactionary tsarist monarchy and embarked on revolutionary change, he had to face the economic and military aggression of practically all the capitalist powers of the time.

In those difficult conditions, the revolution caused a colossal socioeconomic, political and cultural transformation in favor of the interests of the dispossessed majorities and excluded from wealth and rights.

It was an experience of search and discovery of a cultural and civilizational change and, as many recognize, it was a hurricane of hope, not only for Russia and for the Soviet republics that were later formed, but for the workers of the world determined to achieve a better distribution of wealth and the cessation of exploitation, along with the dignity of work.

The Great October Socialist Revolution revolutionized the world, motivated the implementation of organizational formulas to confront capital and like a wave, communist parties, unions, worker and peasant movements, along with women's organizations in defense of their rights, multiplied. time the confrontation with colonialism and neocolonialism grew.

That revolution infused with new vigor the popular struggle on our continent, brewing since the end of the 19th century when North American imperialism - as José Martí had foresaw - expanded with interventionist boots and usurpers of natural wealth. In this context, the working class grew in some countries with greater industrial development under the influence of revolutionary ideas, Marxist in many cases, anarchist in others, brought by European immigrants who arrived in Latin America and the Caribbean. They were revolutionary ideas and actions that multiplied after 1917.

The revolution of 1917 in Russia had a lot to do with the social conquests obtained by broad popular masses throughout the 20th century and with the patriotic and internationalist capacities developed in the people of the Soviet republics who, together with the Red Army, were decisive. in the confrontation and defeat of fascism. It also had a lot to do with the reasons that led the USSR to become the second world power, to become a balancing factor that made possible better conditions for the achievement of independence of many colonial countries. That immense country was the one that sent the first man, the first woman and the first Latin American to space, which is not simple symbolism, but a sign of scientific and technological development in favor of peace.

Capitalism itself could not avoid the impacts of the revolution and was forced to adapt to a new context in which a strong rival appeared that later led to bipolarity. The reformist theses and actions in favor of the so-called “Welfare State” in the formations of European capitalism was one of those impacts, as was the policy of the so-called New Deal (1933-1938) adopted by the President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt. .

It was a genuine revolution with incalculable historical and political value, which cannot be underestimated due to the deviations that at some point distanced leaders and sectors of Soviet society from the conceptual and political bases of the revolution and from the honest Marxist roots of the ideals and actions of Vladimir I. Lenin and other leaders of that feat.

It is not on this occasion that we are going to judge the distortions about the socialist ideal, nor the perversion of democratic practices that later permeated the USSR, nor will we stop with points of view about the dismantling of the construction of socialism that led to the collapse of a society that rose with notable successes as an alternative to capitalism. But much less are we going to detract from what the October Revolution and the existence of the USSR and the European socialist camp meant for the underdeveloped world and for the advancement of the Cuban Revolution.

The truth is that what happened was an extraordinary experience whose achievements and errors require deepening and analysis. The first as a sample of what is possible for the people to achieve in favor of their interests, and the second to reflect on endogenous factors in a process of socialist transition that can lead to its dismantling, even in a very short time, if not They adequately resolve the contradictions inherent to that type of process.

These are topics that must be explored in depth along with questions about conceptual, socioeconomic and political approaches that were established in the USSR on very sensitive problems, especially for the people.

This is the case of the correlation between development and economic growth without the deployment of an individual and social consciousness permeated by socialist and communist values; the distancing of party, state and government structures from the masses and the State from civil society, along with the undervaluation of the subjective factor in a revolutionary process and its role in the necessary renewal of socialist hegemony. Also the social impact of distortions in the field of culture, dogmatism, bureaucratism and corruption deserve serious reflection if we take into account the warnings raised by Lenin before the triumph of the revolution, but especially between 1918 and 1923.

Of many works, notes and reflections presented during a little more than the first five years of the revolution in power, we highlight his analyzes in "The immediate tasks of Soviet power" and Will the Bolsheviks remain in power? where he delved into the complexities associated with the task of governing while representing the interests of workers and peasants. We also highlight the projections on issues of party organization and politics presented in his letter of December 1922 to the party congress, which for many constitutes his political testament with clear references to the important role of workers and peasants, of the popular masses, in a process towards socialism.

The truth is that what led to the collapse of the USSR cannot be attributed to Lenin or Marxism, nor can it be used to disqualify the historical and political value of the Bolshevik Revolution of 2017, an event that is highly topical beyond the celebration of its centenary. It is not about wrapping ourselves in nostalgia, but about analyzing in a balanced way the historical facts, the achievements, the errors, the contradictions that existed, but also the inconsistency of myths and traps that have arisen, especially since 1989, with a view to "substantiating" the supposed unviability of socialism and the inevitability of capitalism, which constitutes an unacceptable historical fatalism.

But above all, the analysis of the October Revolution demonstrates that the lessons of history are an inalienable legacy that nourishes the anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement today, they are resources that fuel the actions to face the present and project the future of those who aspire. to a better world. They are lessons for the deployment of socialist transition processes that will always be developed with many unprecedented conditions because no two countries are the same, but at the same time they require compasses that allow directing the course towards a strategy of socialist order. Therefore, it not only contributes to the evaluation of the past, but also to the projection of the present and future of humanity.