Leon Trotsky: To the Marx and Lenin Circle [Writings of Leon Trotsky. Vol 1, 1929, New York 1975, p. 246] Dear Comrades: Your organization bears the name “Marx and Lenin.” This name imposes a responsibility. Don’t you think it is contradictory that the current activity of Souvarine, one of the founders of your group and its most prominent member, is directed entirely against the ideas of both Marx and Lenin? On every single question in recent years Souvarine has taken positions that lent direct support to the opponents and enemies of the Communist Left Opposition. Although remaining formally in the ranks of the latter, Souvarine has carefully avoided giving any clear and complete statement of his views. After persistent and repeated demands, he sent me a lengthy manuscript representing a statement of his most recent opinions. This manuscript has nothing in common with a personal letter. It is a long pamphlet that breaks not only with Bolshevism, the October Revolution, and the basic principles of the Third International, but with the theoretical premises of Marxism. This work is aimed in full against the ideas of Marx and Lenin, under whose banner your circle claims to stand. May I ask: Are you familiar with this recent work of Souvarine? Have you stated your attitude toward this astonishing product of the philosophy of a skeptical individualist? Do you consider it permissible to tolerate even one day longer the fact that under the banner of Marx and Lenin people are emerging who are carrying on a mortal struggle against Marxism and its practical expression, Bolshevism? I hope you will not undertake to dispute the fact that every revolutionary, every Marxist, and every class-conscious worker has the right to ask you the questions that I am asking you with the utmost goodwill in this letter. Yours, L. Trotsky |
Leon Trotsky > 1929 >