Re-reading the history of Bolshevik Party
Review: R.S. Karunaratne
Bolshevik pakshaye ithihasaya
Author: Mano Fernando
Potha Patha Publishers
153/4, Kalaeliya Road Ja-Ela
291 pp Price Rs. 350
 POLITICS: Bolshevik pakshaye ithihasaya is the authentic
Sinhala translation of Grigorii Zinoviev's History of Bolshevik Party
published in 1923.
Zinoview was a pioneer member of the Bolshevik Party and this is the
only book covering the history of the party.
"The so-called Left parties and their affiliated trade unions have
created a confusing scenario in the working class movement in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, it is necessary to educate workers on the true principles of
Marxism," said Mano Fernando who translated the book.
The Bolshevik Party led by V.I. Lenin could not completely shut out
the reactionaries joining the party.
The capitalistic economic structure prevailing in Russia today has
its own history. The change did not occur overnight, For instance, when
the Chinese Revolution failed in 1927, Russia was isolated. Meanwhile
party leader Lenin could not take part in active politics due to his
ill-health.
The focus of the book is on the period spanning from 1917 to 1940. In
other words, it is all about the October Revolution that took place in
1917 and its effect on the USSR.
However, the author seems to have taken a different stand from that
of Lenin as regards the temporary government formed after the
revolution.
Despite his differences with Lenin, Zinoviev explained the stand
taken by the Bolshevik Party. Lenin believed that the farmers could be
liberated from the clutches of capitalists by strengthening the working
class movement.
The book also depicts the services rendered by Plohanov who left the
Bolshevik Party. He not only served the party but also promoted
literature and the arts. However there were movements actively working
against labour unity.
As a result, Plohanov too ended up in the opposite camp which took a
completely different view from the Bolshevik Party.
Mano Fernando has shown the reader how Zinoview ignored the services
rendered by Leon Trotsky and his theory of constant revolution.
However, the translator has included some information on the constant
revolution for the edification of the reader.
The book also shows the down fall of the USSR. The author is of the
view that the downfall of the state is not due to defects in Marxism or
Socialism.
He says the emergence of the working class as a powerful stake holder
in governance was thwarted by the reactionary forces working within the
party and influencing decision makers.
Mano Fernando goes that extra mile to explain the socialist struggle
in the USSR and Lenin's contribution to the working class revolution.
The book is essential reading for students of political science and
practising politicians. |
