Two seemingly different ideologies developed amongst the Bolsheviks after the death of Comrade Lenin, though one, the Permanent Revolution, had already been theorised and even partly proven true by 1917.

The Permanent Revolution, as elaborated by Leon Trotsky, is the idea that expounds how a Socialist Revolution can occur in a backward country (with the Proletariat assuming the duties that would have been performed had the Bourgeoisie seized control much earlier). All Marxist thinkers prior to 1917, including Lenin, believed that a Socialist Revolution could only occur in an advanced country (in a country like Russia the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of democracy, and the development of the nation, was the immediate goal). Trotsky was alone in believing otherwise, and proved it true when he orchestrated the revolution in Russia that was, in fact successful. Lenin reversed his position in early 1917, and enthusiastically approved of Trotsky and his theory (a position which was opposed by Stalin, amongst others).

Socialism in One Country, as formulated by Stalin, is based upon Lenin’s work. Lenin, in his work: On the Slogan for a United States of Europe , made the statement that Socialist victory is possible in one nation: “Uneven economic and political development is an absolute law of capitalism. Hence, the victory of socialism is possible first in several or even in one capitalist country alone. After expropriating the capitalists and organising their own socialist production, the victorious proletariat of that country will arise against the rest of the world — the capitalist world — attracting to its cause the oppressed classes of other countries, stirring uprisings in those countries against the capitalists, and in case of need using even armed force against the exploiting classes and their states.” We must consider that Lenin was making the point that a world Socialist Revolution might originate “in several or even in one capitalist country (Marx and Engels envisioned a spontaneous revolution of the world Proletariat happening at once).” We must also consider that, prior to 1917, the basis of the revolution was the overthrow of the Czar – the Socialist Revolution would come later.

Lenin stated in 1918: “I know that there are, of course, sages who think they are very clever and even call themselves Socialists, who assert that power should not have been seized until the revolution had broken out in all countries. They do not suspect that by speaking in this way they are deserting the revolution and going over to the side of the bourgeoisie. To wait until the toiling classes bring about a revolution on an international scale means that everybody should stand stock-still in expectation. That is nonsense.” But is this an indictment of the Permanent Revolution, and an endorsement of Socialism in One Country?

No. Lenin was merely saying that, due to uneven development, the notion that the world would erupt in a massive, spontaneous, revolution was unrealistic.

Lenin stated, also in 1918: “The absolute truth is that without a revolution in Germany we shall perish.” Clearly he understood the need for the Revolution to become worldwide, step by step.