POL 315
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM
UNIT 5
VANGUARD PARTY/
PROLETARIAN REVOLUTION
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Vanguard Party and Proletarian Revolution
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
7.0 References/Further Reading
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The history of human society is not the product of impersonal forces; it
is the result of people's purposive activity. Since people make society,
only people can change society. Proletarian revolution puts an end to the
exploitation and oppression by the bourgeoisie by establishing a
dictatorship through collective ownership of the means of production
and gradual withering of the state.
The goal of the Vanguard Party is not to take power in the name of
the proletariat; it is simply to lead the masses in a revolutionary struggle.
For Marxists, the proletarian revolution will resolve permanently all the
contradictions in society.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• discuss the meaning and roles of the vanguard party
• explain proletarian revolution
• discuss proletarian dictatorship.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Vanguard Party and Proletarian Revolution
(a)
Vanguard Party
The literal meaning of the term- vanguard is to be the front runner; in
the forefront. Lenin made use of this word to denote the role of the
communist party (Bolsheviks) in the Russian revolution. The goal of
the Vanguard party is not to take power in the name of the proletariat; it
37