Lessons on mastering principles and constantly innovating Marxism-Leninism

On the night of November 7, 1917 (October 25 according to the old Russian calendar), the insurgents attacked the Winter Palace in Petrograd, starting the October Revolution in Russia. (Photo courtesy)

Affirming the reality of Marxism-Leninism

The October Revolution in Russia was not only the victory of the working class and working people of Russia, but also the victory of scientific revolutionary theory, a powerful demonstration of the vitality and realism of Marxism-Leninism.

Lenin inherited and creatively developed Marxism, turning Marx's doctrine of human liberation into a vivid reality in political and social life. Under the genius leadership of the Bolshevik Party headed by Lenin, the working class and working people of Russia rose up to overthrow the domination of the bourgeoisie, abolish the old bourgeois state and establish the first Soviet State in history - a new type of state of the people, by the people and for the people. The birth of the Soviet State opened a new era in human history, an era in which the working people for the first time became masters of their own destiny.

The victory of the October Revolution fundamentally changed the destiny of Russia, turning the Russian people from slaves into masters of the country, and at the same time profoundly impacted the development process of the world . The October Revolution became a great source of encouragement for the international proletarian revolutionary movement, inspiring and creating confidence for the national liberation movement in colonial and dependent countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including Vietnam.

More importantly, the victory of the October Revolution in Russia proved a truth of universal value: when scientific revolutionary theory is linked with the practical struggle of the working people, it becomes a great material force that can change the destiny of mankind.

Grasp the principles of Marxism-Leninism

One of the greatest and most lasting lessons that the Russian October Revolution left for the world revolutionary movement is to firmly grasp, creatively apply and steadfastly adhere to the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism.

The Russian October Revolution demonstrated the lesson of steadfastness in the working class stance, always putting the interests of the working class and working people first, considering this the central driving force of the socialist revolution. The revolution can only be victorious when the working class plays a leading role, and at the same time builds a close alliance with the peasantry - the most populous force in Russian society at that time. The steadfastness in the class stance helps the Bolshevik Party maintain its strategic goals, not being lured or compromised by bourgeois and reactionary forces.

The October Revolution clearly demonstrated the lesson of party spirit in politics and ideology. V. Lenin affirmed that the Communist Party must be the vanguard of the working class, with high unity in theory, ideology, organization and action. Building a new type of party - a party of the proletariat equipped with Marxist-Leninist theory and with iron discipline, is a prerequisite to ensure that the Russian revolution goes in the right direction and wins.

The October Revolution is a vivid demonstration of the lesson of closely combining theory and practice. V. Lenin once emphasized that: “Without revolutionary theory, there can be no revolutionary movement”[1]; “only a party guided by an advanced theory can fulfill the role of a vanguard fighter”[2]. He not only inherited but also creatively developed Marxist doctrine to suit the specific conditions of Russia in the early 20th century.

The October Revolution affirmed the lesson of radicalism and steadfastness in the socialist goal. Lenin always emphasized that the proletarian revolution must go to the end, and cannot stop at half-hearted reforms. It was this steadfastness that helped the Bolshevik Party dare to act decisively, promptly seize the historical opportunity, overthrow the bourgeois government and establish the Soviet State - a new type of state of the people, by the people and for the people.

Innovation and creativity in applying Marxism-Leninism

The Russian October Revolution has proven a truth of profound significance, that loyalty to Marxism-Leninism does not mean following a stereotype or mechanically copying old models, but must always be associated with a spirit of innovation and creativity, in accordance with the specific historical and social conditions of each country and each era. On the basis of absolute loyalty to the revolutionary and scientific nature of Marxism, V. Lenin has constantly developed and supplemented theories, bringing Marxist doctrine to new heights, meeting the requirements of the imperialist era and the world proletarian revolutionary movement.

Lenin developed the theory of proletarian revolution in the imperialist period. He pointed out the law of uneven movement of capitalism and asserted that the proletarian revolution could be victorious in one or several weaker capitalist countries, and it did not necessarily have to take place simultaneously in all capitalist countries as Marx originally believed. From there, he identified Russia as the “weakest link” in the capitalist system and could completely become the place where the victorious proletarian revolution broke out. This was a creative development of strategic significance, opening a separate path for the world revolutionary movement.

V. Lenin developed the theory of a new type of State, which is the Soviet State of the working people. The Soviet State is a new political form, reflecting the democratic nature of the working class and demonstrating the true mastery of the working people. Faced with difficulties after the successful revolution, V. Lenin proposed a new economic policy, allowing for the partial restoration of the private economy and commodity relations under the control of the socialist State. This is a vivid expression of creative thinking, a testament to V. Lenin's flexible, dialectical and practical vision in protecting the achievements of the revolution.

Meaning and lessons for the current Vietnamese revolution

For Vietnam, the lessons of the Russian October Revolution still retain great value and carry profound significance in the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland today. In the context of globalization and increasingly deep international integration, along with the strong development of science, technology and digital transformation, the requirement for the Vietnamese revolution is to be both steadfast in its goals and principles and innovative in its thinking and methods of action to flexibly adapt to the new situation.

The first lesson is to always adhere to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought and the goal of national independence associated with socialism. This is the ideological foundation and compass for all guidelines and policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The reality of more than 90 years of revolutionary struggle and nearly 40 years of renovation has proven that only by remaining steadfast on the socialist path can our nation develop steadily, maintain independence, autonomy and promote the strength of great national unity.

The second lesson is to constantly innovate in theoretical thinking, leadership methods and in practical economic, cultural, social, national defense and security development. Innovation does not mean changing the goal but finding a more suitable path and model to effectively implement the socialist goal in new conditions.

The third lesson is to harmoniously combine steadfastness in revolutionary principles with flexibility in practical application. Steadfastness without creativity will lead to conservatism, while flexibility that deviates from principles will derail the revolution. Therefore, the smooth combination of political courage and creative intelligence is the factor that ensures the Vietnamese revolution continues to develop steadily.

The Russian October Revolution will always be a brilliant milestone and a great school of mastering principles while constantly innovating and creating in applying Marxism-Leninism. That lesson has strategic significance for Vietnam today and tomorrow.

[1] VILenin: Complete Works, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2005, vol. 6, p. 30. [2] VILenin: Same source, vol. 6, p. 32.

Associate Professor, PhD DANG QUANG DINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bai-hoc-ve-nam-vung-nguyen-tac-khong-ngung-doi-moi-sang-tao-chu-nghia-mac-lenin-post921280.html