Transcriber's Note:
A number of obvious typographical errors have beencorrected in this text. For a complete list, pleasesee the bottom of this document.
Corrections listed in the existing Errata at theend of this book have been applied to the text, and shown with popups.
The Practice and Theory
of Bolshevism
Bertrand Russell
LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD.
RUSKIN HOUSE, 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1
First published November 1920
Reprinted February 1921
(All rights reserved)
PREFACEToC
The Russian Revolution is one of the greatheroic events of the world's history. It isnatural to compare it to the French Revolution, butit is in fact something of even more importance.It does more to change daily life and the structureof society: it also does more to change men's beliefs.The difference is exemplified by the difference betweenMarx and Rousseau: the latter sentimental andsoft, appealing to emotion, obliterating sharp outlines;the former systematic like Hegel, full of hardintellectual content, appealing to historic necessityand the technical development of industry, suggestinga view of human beings as puppets in the grip ofomnipotent material forces. Bolshevism combines thecharacteristics of the French Revolution with thoseof the rise of Islam; and the result is somethingradically new, which can only be understood by apatient and passionate effort of imagination.
Before entering upon any detail, I wish to state,as clearly and unambiguously as I can, my ownattitude towards this new thing.
[6]By far the most important aspect of the RussianRevolution is as an attempt to realize Communism.I believe that Communism is necessary to theworld, and I believe that the heroism of Russiahas fired men's hopes in a way which was essentialto the realization of Communism in the future.Regarded as a splendid attempt, without whichultimate success would have been very improbable,Bolshevism deserves the gratitude and admirationof all the progressive part of mankind.
But the method by which Moscow aims at establishingCommunism is a pioneer method, rough anddangerous, too heroic to count the cost of the oppositionit arouses. I do not believe that by thismethod a stable or desirable form of Communismcan be established. Three issues seem to me possiblefrom the present situation. The first is the ultimatedefeat of Bolshevism by the forces of capitalism.The second is the victory of the Bolshevists accompaniedby a complete loss of their ideals and arégime of Napoleonic imperialism. The third isa prolonged world-war, in which civilization will gounder, and all its manifestations (including Communism)will be forgotten.
It is because I do not believe that the methodsof the Third International can lead to the desiredgoal that I have thought it worth while to point out[7]what seem to me undesirable features in the presentstate of Russia. I think there are lessons to belearnt