"To prevent the true meaning of his struggle against anarchism from being distorted, Marx expressly emphasized the "revolutionary and transient form" of the state which the proletariat needs. The proletariat needs the state only temporarily. We do not after all differ with the anarchists on the question of the abolition of the state as the aim. We maintain that, to achieve this aim, we must temporarily make use of the instruments, resources, and methods of state power against the exploiters, just as the temporary dictatorship of the oppressed class is necessary for the abolition of classes. Marx chooses the sharpest and clearest way of stating his case against the anarchists: After overthrowing the yoke of the capitalists, should the workers "lay down their arms", or use them against the capitalists in order to crush their resistance? But what is the systematic use of arms by one class against another if not a "transient form" of state?"
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Vladimir Lenin, in The State and Revolution (1917) Chapter IV: Supplementary Explanations by Engels : Controversy with the Anarchists
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Anarchism
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Anarchism
252 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Anarchism →
Related Quotes
"Most of all, anarchism is just a matter of having the courage to take the simple principles of common decency that we…"
"Anarchism appears to be the only form of that speaks to the times and people's dreams."
"Anarchism is that political philosophy which advocates the maximization of individual responsibility and the reductio…"
"Anarchists work towards a society of mutual aid and voluntary co-operation. We reject all government and economic rep…"
"The ideally non-violent state will be an ordered anarchy. That State is the best governed which is governed the least."
"Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise en…"
"Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hardheaded realization, based on five thousand years of experience, that we…"
"Anarchism...rests upon the doctrine that no man has a right to control by force the action of any other man. Anarchis…"
"What does it say about you, if you allow someone to set themselves up as your leader and make all your decisions for …"
"We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules."