MarxismLeninism

Marxism-Leninism is a political ideology that emerged in the early 20th century as a synthesis of Karl Marx's theory of historical development with Vladimir Lenin's analyses of revolutionary strategy and party organization. It became the official doctrine of the Soviet state after the 1917 Russian Revolution and influenced many other socialist movements and governments.

Marxism-Leninism maintains that history progresses through class struggle and that capitalism contains internal contradictions which will eventually be resolved through a workers' revolution led by a vanguard party. The party, through democratic centralism, is to guide political activity, organize the dictatorship of the proletariat, and plan the economy. The state is seen as a necessary instrument during the transition from capitalism to communism, after which, in theory, the state would wither away.

Economically, it advocates state ownership of the means of production and central planning to achieve rapid industrialization and social welfare. Politically, it emphasizes centralized decision-making and the unity of leadership to defend socialist society from internal and external threats and to pursue international proletarian solidarity.

Critics argue that Marxism-Leninism concentrates power in a single party and can enable authoritarian governance, suppression of dissent, and inefficiencies in planning. Proponents contend it provided a coherent framework for socialist development and modernization in various states.

Variations and adaptations include the Soviet form of Marxism-Leninism, and in some contexts, adaptations linked to Mao Zedong's theorizing or other national conditions.