Leninist

Leninist refers to a person who adheres to Leninist theory or to political ideas derived from Vladimir Lenin, especially as they shaped the early Soviet movement. Leninism emerged within the Russian socialist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Lenin's writings and leadership of the Bolshevik faction influencing subsequent Marxist thought. It is often distinguished from broader Marxism by its emphasis on organization, tactics, and the role of the party in leading a revolutionary transition.

Core elements associated with Leninism include the concept of a vanguard party, organized through democratic centralism, to guide the working class and coordinate revolutionary activity. Lenin argued that a disciplined party was necessary to crystallize the will of the proletariat, develop a coherent program, and seize political power when conditions opened up. The dictatorship of the proletariat, as a transitional state, was viewed as a necessary instrument to suppress counter-revolution and implement socialist measures, with the expectation that the state would wither away as socialism deepened.

Lenin also developed theories on imperialism, revolutionary strategy, and the role of a transitional program that combined immediate demands with long-term goals. His writings on party organization, state power, and revolutionary leadership influenced later Marxist-Leninist ideologies, though various groups have interpreted Leninism differently.

In contemporary use, the label Leninist can apply to scholars, political activists, or parties that identify with Lenin’s interpretations of Marxism and his organizational methods, sometimes within broader Marxism-Leninism frameworks. Critics within and beyond socialist movements have debated Leninist priorities, such as centralization, democratic participation, and the balance between reform and revolution.