MarxistLeninist

Marxist-Leninist is an umbrella term used to describe political movements and parties that claim adherence to the ideas of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, interpreted through party leadership and centralized state structures. It was the official ideology of many socialist states in the 20th century, most prominently the Soviet Union. The term denotes a synthesis of Marx's critique of capitalism with Lenin's theories of revolutionary vanguard, democratic centralism, and the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Core tenets include a vanguard party that leads the working class, democratic centralism in party organization, a centralized, planned economy with state ownership of the means of production, and a one-party political system. The state is considered a temporary instrument to defend the revolution and transition toward a stateless communist society.

Historically, Marxist-Leninist doctrine was formulated in the early Soviet period and refined by leaders such as Stalin, and later influenced other communist movements around the world, including in China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Korea. Variants have emphasized different interpretations, including a more pronounced emphasis on class struggle, national emancipation, or agrarian reform.

Critics argue that Marxist-Leninist states constrained political freedoms and often faced economic inefficiencies. The collapse of many such states in the late 20th century led to a re-evaluation of the doctrine, while some parties continue to identify as Marxist-Leninist, maintaining alignment with its basic framework but adapting to contemporary conditions.