CHAPTER: 3SOCIAL REVOLUTION AND ITS LIMITATIONSIn the field of social revolution history making incident is proletarian revolution of Russia in 1917 and later after Second World War, in subsequent years, China got a neo-democratic revolution. These two revolutions took place under the leadership of communist party. After these two revolutions much debate and limitless deliberation of opposite thoughts resulting a great debate has been continuing the entire world over the last 50 years. It has steered the global opinion and there is no end to scholarly books on this topic ----- be for or against of it. We will not get into detailed discussion on this topic; but in brief this can be said that the new state system that grew up as a result, is comparatively better and developed. Soviet Russia, a backward country in Europe, in comparison with other capitalist states of that continent and further backward state, a semi-colonial country like China where revolution took place is not apparently supported by older Marxist ideology. Peasant War In Germany, written by Engles may be upheld as a comparison.In the introduction of this book, Engels explained Marx, referred that socialist revolution will be possible much earlier in Germany. The time when Marx said this Germany was not advanced hand other European countries. This situation then was much probable in England and France. On the other hand bourgeois evolution in Germany had a great backlog in many respect. Still Marx predicted about a socialist change of that country. Their reason for this , which Marx noticed , that labor of that country were more educated and ideologically advanced in the field and that s why he thought of it. For creating a situation of revolution being a conscious effort, German was more developed and powerful in this context. Though , by number the English proletarian class was much bigger by quantity and by experience of class struggle , French working class had more enriched , at the same time, the capitalism were more developed in both countries in comparison to Germany.In subsequent time, Lenin extended the view and showed the uneven development of capitalism with development of monopoly capitalist bourgeois state-system entered in the era of imperialism. In this historical situation, progressive role of bourgeois class had lost. So many revolutions for change of the state-system were not possible by the leadership of bourgeois class. Thereafter, it was a responsibility of proletarian class and their political organization to continue revolutionary struggle by giving their class leadership. Lenin also showed that revolution, either bourgeois democratic or socialist, can be possible in a backward state. Even in a colonial or semi-colonial country also, this extended theory of Marxism was applied in Soviet Russia which was a backward state-system in comparison to West-European countries by the leadership of proletarian class and by consolidating other toiling masses, specially the peasantry in favor of revolutionary changes in the system.Lenin put forward the concept of alliance of proletarian class and its natural ally, the peasantry, along with other toiling masses , revolution might be possible in the era of imperialism throughout the world , in developed, under developed and also in colonial countries. So, world view of Marxism was extended and developed in theory and practice in a change international situation. For this reason, this concept of Lenin is defined as Leninism is Marxism in the era of Imperialism. The detailed discussion in this context is out of the scope of this book. We are mentioning some of the statement of great leader Lenin about revolution in backward state-system. He said that the organize either bourgeois democratic or socialist revolution in a backward country like Soviet Russia is not a very difficult task, ( just pick up a feather from a hen ) . But it is much more difficult to maintain and protects the result of the revolution that means the socialist state-system. On the other hand he mentioned that to organize revolution in an advanced capitalist country is much more difficult, but it is easier to protect its result. Why did he make this statement? Lenin answered this question in a very simplified manner. The civil rights in an advanced capitalist country is already well-established. Due to higher technology and much more skilled proletarian class, the economic surplus is greater in an advanced capitalist state. With this surplus, the state system can take various welfare programs for the benefit of common people, at the same time; the working people may get better wages and salary. For all, these beneficiaries, the working class along with other toiling masses are better educated, more conscious about their civil rights. So , any revolution to change capitalist state-system based on private ownership and surplus value to a socialist state-system based on social ownership is much more difficult, but the result of the revolution is much more deeper and with sustained effect. This consciousness of civil rights makes to maintain and to protect the result of revolution a far long period, but in the backward country peoples consciousness for human rights are relatively backward, at the same time due to poverty and economic backwardness may give success to the revolution much more easier. But compared to advanced countries, it is much more difficult to maintain and retain its result. For this, a continuous debate and struggle should require during the period of socialist reconstruction in various issues that may be in economic, cultural and ideological ground. Lenins warning about the future of socialism in a backward country has great importance. It is possibly applicable to advanced countries also, through revolution has not yet been possible in these countries.The new state took its birth for Soviet revolution and the socialist economy and socialist culture faced various problems. As a new first socialist state in the world, it was very difficult to maintain and retain it or keep it in life, and free from imperialist influence. Many scholarly discussion, debate and resolution came in writing from the leaders of different states including Soviet Russia. These enriched the communist ideas and philosophy. The experience and the revolutionary struggle of Soviet Russia and its loop holes give many important lessons for revolutionary struggle in other countries. The neo-democratic revolution in a vast country like China had taken this lesson and some correction with addition was done under the leadership of communist party led by Mao-Ze-Dong. This neo-democratic revolution was led by the Communist party; the political vanguard of proletariat was shifted from urban areas to agricultural based areas of China and had a prolong course of struggle. This prolong struggle in rural areas enriched Communist party to be more pragmatic for unity of proletarian class with its natural allies, the peasantries. So, it was shown in the program of Communist party of China to adopt the policy of cultivization of land by forming agricultural commune in spite of land to the dealers as a popular call of revolution of Soviet Russia. Because we have seen in the history of Russia after implementation of land to the dealers, it was very difficult for the Soviet government led by Joseph Stalin to reform this policy and to increment for establishing collective or state agricultural farming. As peasantry has inherent training for land ownership. Basically land to the dealers is a petty bourgeois call. So, Communist Party of China had taken better strategy to unite peasantry in favor of revolution from the lesson of Soviet revolution and afterward experience of socialist reconstruction. After revolution of great China which was a neo-democratic revolution by the participation of the four classes, that are, national bourgeois, petty bourgeois, peasantry led by proletariat. So, by character, this was a democratic revolution, but it was organized by Communist party of China, the vanguard of proletarian class. After the seizure of power in post revolutionary phase, reconstruction of the social order was continued mostly in non capitalist class. The policies and programs were adopted mostly in favor of toiling masses including peasantry and proletariat. But it is well known that the contradiction between the different classes will remain in post revolutionary period. Though, Chinese Communist Party had adopted pro people non-capitalist path, the strife between the classes was continuing within the country in the government policies remain within the Communist party also. All these experiences and effects of the super structural raiments of older state-system on the reconstruction phase of new social order need to take a new revolutionary program of cultural revolution by great leader Mao-Ze-Dong. This Cultural Revolution was an addition in Marxism and Leninism basically for correction and change of super structural inequalities and contradictions. This Cultural Revolution had been taken for prolong course and some time it was violent in shape. Much elimination of Communist leaders like Liu-Sao-Chi and Lin-Biao were expelled from the party .But the aim and objectives of Cultural Revolution have not fulfilled. This was an unfinished battle. After the death of great leader Mao-Ze-Dong, the reactionary and revisionist force of Communist party led by Deng-Xiao-Ping had captured the state power by establishing their leadership within the Communist party of China. These reactionary and revisionist elements of CPC led China towards capitalist path by adopting neo-liberal economy which was formulated by imperialist camp with the leadership of US imperialism. The revisionist leader Deng-Xiao-Ping philosophized and politicized their capitalist stand by giving a new terminology in the subject of Marxist political economy as Market socialism. This is a severe distortion and establishment of capitalist economy under the veil of socialist terminology. So, we can say an undeclared counter-revolution took place in China in the name of socialist reform, in reality, it was not a social reform, but a counter revolution occurred by reforming the leadership of Communist party of China to be the capitalist roader. Now, China is a country without any socialist or international outlook has most problems of social inequality and labor-dispute. In spite of so many experiences, historical evidence with numerous debate and polemics the fall of socialism could not be prevented in most of the socialist countries. The China and Vietnam socialist countries have taken capitalist path by undeclared counter-revolution, but in Europe, there were counter-revolution of different countries including Soviet Russia. There are many disputes and the struggle occurred in East European countries against the totalitarian nature of socialist state system led by Communist Parties of those countries. The state-system and Communist party became inseparable and due to lack of democracy, they were slowly alienated from the people of those countries including proletariat class. As there was no proper democracy and right for expression of views through newspaper and other media , the debate , discourse , polemics becomes obliterated making the Communist party and state ruler as an absolute body. The infiltration of opportunist state bureaucracy in the Communist party and amalgamation of these state bureaucrats with the party bureaucrats made the Communist party an anti-people apparatus of repression. With these inequalities, contradictions in socialist countries of Europe, the cloud of peoples grievances against the state system were accumulated to form the path of counter-revolution. In Poland, anti-state and anti-communist movement was growing and getting vigorous day by day under leadership of Letch Walesa at early 80s of 20th century. The result of this vigorous movement of Poland caused fall of socialist government led by the workers party which was totally alienated from the working class and common people of Poland. This was first declared fall of socialism in East Europe. Strife within the socialist countries was growing and getting more intensity after this counter revolution. This was not simply due to totalitarian outlook of Communist parties of those countries, but also failure to adopt newer policies for better social condition, more welfare to the people and good quality of life for the people. Observing this inevitable culmination, Soviet Communist Party led by Gorbachov had taken the program of glasnost and perestroika. This program was taken to keep freedom to the people to encounter their grievances. All these measures the fall of socialist government were not preventive in most of the East European countries including Soviet Russia. So, declared counter-revolution took place within a very short period of time early 80s to 90s. All these historical evidences shows that the history of socialism of 20th century is the history of revolution and counter revolution either declared or undeclared. So the big question mark came out from these historical evidences that capitalism the end of social development? Or we shall search for alternatives that should not include the rejected theory of totalitarian socialist state-system or capitalist state-system. Question arises within the progressive, Marxist and revolutionary minded people, intellectuals and social workers that what will be the future steps to go for newer society which will be devoid of class-exploitation with class-inequality. This search is most important task not only for revolutionaries and leftists, but also for socially conscious person and intellectuals. We shall go for discussion in this direction in the later chapter of this book. Before entering this discussion we have to say some words about the experiences and evidences from the success and failure of socialist countries:1. The hegemony of proletarian was not established comparison to bourgeois in pre-revolutionary period. Proletarian class established their leadership among other toiling masses within brief period of time, but in respect from fall of hegemony they are relatively backward from bourgeois class in most of the super structural organization and social activities. The evolution of the bourgeois was within the womb of feudalism, even their existence was noticed as mercantile capitalist from the ancient period as in the slave oriented society also like Roman Empire. As they were economically solvent class and with the experience through worldwide mercantile business, they were richer class by economy and culture. By the development of capitalist market system with accumulation of capital they were able to create industrial revolution and became closer to feudal state-power. For their growing strength they were competing with feudal class to infiltrate in the state system for state governance. For centuries of time, an alternative culture, literature, philosophy, economy was growing through the concept of enlightenment and as a measure of European renaissance. In brief, bourgeois class was able to establish their hegemony in all fields of cultural, economic sector of society and became hegemonies to establish new social order replacing the older one through bourgeois democratic revolution. The difference between the proletarian class and bourgeois class is that the later had more experience and equipped with their own economic base and cultural aspect. In Soviet proletarian revolution the leading class did not get this scope to establish a total alternative both in economic and cultural field to set up their hegemony for conducting state-system. So, proletarian class was quite backward and inexperience in forming new socialist economy and governing the newer state-system in pre-revolutionary period as compared to capitalist class. These resulted a lot of confusion, debate, contradiction and conflict in post-revolutionary period. The limitation of proletariat both in pre and post revolutionary period were culminating a totalitarian outlook among the leadership of proletarian class, that is, in the communist party to dominate in all fields of state and social activities by applying force. This results formation of an undemocratic and totalitarian state-system which was against the Marxist and socialist view. Due to lack of democracy in post-revolutionary period of society and state system becomes absolute which is again opposite to Marxist and Leninist view.2. In the capitalist system, the class leader bourgeois are getting the consent of the people continuously by introducing universal suffrage and replaceable government by electoral process by participation people as electorate. They established political diversity and plurality, freedom of the press and media, right to express the peoples view, judiciary system and various social organizations. Through these entire capitalist are able to rule the society by the consent of the common mass. We may translate it in Gramshian dialect that exploited are giving their consent to exploit them by exploiters. The socialism is basically formed to abolish exploitation by one class to other class or man by man. But the eternal need of freedom of human civilization cannot fulfill by giving better economic opportunity and the basic need of life. The exercise which was practiced in capitalist democracy was not followed. In alternative manner, for getting consent of the people for socialist ruler to maintain the class hegemony of proletariat over all toiling masses.3. Due to lack of democracy the dictatorship of proletariat slowly converted to the dictatorship of Communist party. This occurred both inside and outside of the party. So, political debate, discussion, polemics, progressively reduced within an outside the Communist party, even in all type of social organizations of the state-system. State-system was governed by an undialectical transmission belt theory, decision and policy will be taken by the highest authority of the state and Communist party should follow the lower level, even grass-root level. By this way, the dialectical relation between higher and lower level both within and outside the party or state and people was reduced. So, there is no counter discussion from lower level of the party and people. As a result of this state and communist party was increasingly alienated from the people.4. Due to the inexperience of proletarian class the upliftment of this class not only in state government, but also they were not capable enough to manage the production units self-dependently. So, they have to borrow the remnant of older society for management and state-governance. These elites and from higher middle class and older remnants of society like beaurocrats gave birth to a new opportunist classes in all socialist countries. This new class slowly infiltrate in Communist party and state-system by capturing authoritative position. They established their hierarchy in the management of all sections of production units and social organization. This hierarchy was also established within the Communist party and converted the character of Communist party from pro-people international outlook to nationalist and opportunist one. In the later post world-war, the Communist Party of Soviet Russia was governed by the personnel from the higher middle class and elites with bourgeois outlook. The working class and common people slowly alienated from Communist party and remained as wage workers only, but not as a policy maker of the society and state.5. Soviet Russia slowly detached from the concept of Marxism and Leninist internationalism towards nationalistic attitude and became the superpower of the world. They acted like big brother over the East-European socialist countries and over other under developed countries in international arena. We can notice more or less same characteristics of deviation and deformity in other socialist countries led by Communist Parties.6. To prevent these all types of errors, deviation and deformities there was need of a continuous struggle in economic, cultural and ideological ground. But due to the historical limitations this task was not fulfilled, though in China the great leader Mao-Ze-Dong had tried to remove these errors and deviations by introducing the policy and programs of Cultural Revolution. Even this wise decision of Mao-Ze-Dong did not succeed at its end. Though it has contributed a new path of struggle in post-revolutionary society yet. It was an unfinished battle.7. The ideology and concept of socialism did not set a permanent and living life pattern in the mind of the common people and toiling masses in socialist countries. It is also true either in developing and advance country the red flag has lost its credibility and its honorable position.

Question arises :-

a) Communist Parties dictatorship = dictatorship of proletariat ------ is it correct or not?b) Without democracy is socialism possible?c) What will be the form of democracy in socialist state?d) How the hegemony of working class would be established in a socialist system either in economic or cultural section?e) Can a counter-revolution is possible after establishing socialist, economic state-system by the effect of super structural contradiction and inequalities lead to change of society and state?f) What will be the new socialist state system and its constitution which will reflect and proves that this new state-system will be more developed, more democratic and more pro-people social system than capitalist democratic system?g) What would be the alternative economic system which will replace international market economy for development of new social and economic order to reach the goal of communism through socalism by maintaining the ideology of international equality ? is it possible or not ?h) Another complex question have been progressively evolving among the Marxist and anti-imperialist intellectuals. The surplus value is the basic economic pre-condition of any capitalist state-system. In the experience of the previous socialist state system and its economy this surplus value did not abolish. So, the basic pre-condition of capitalism, that is, surplus value by surplus labor existed in socialist economy. By mere nationalization or statization of private property this basic capitalist economy was not changed. This shows the revolution occurred by seizure of power , but capitalism remained flowing in the society and state system at only in super structure, that is, all types of state and social organization , but also in state economy by under-ground flow of surplus value which is the basis of the society. So, this gave us lesson that by the abolishing of private property and statization or nationalization of that cannot fulfill socialist economy, culture and ideology. With the abolishment of private property to convert it into a social property was not achieved in 20th century socialist experience. The question we have to deal with how the surplus value will be abolished in newer socialist state economy and how to convert private property to social property and to clear out class exploitation in future.