45 pages • 1 hour read
Vladimir LeninThe State and Revolution
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1917A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin analyzes the state's nature and development through the lens of class warfare and revolution, highlighting historical case studies like the 1848 European revolutions. Lenin critiques socialists for compromising with bourgeois states, emphasizing the state's role as a tool of class repression. He advocates for dismantling the state to achieve a proletarian dictatorship, eventually leading to communism. Discussions of war and class oppression appear frequently in the text.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin is lauded for its rigorous examination of Marxist theory and state functions, and its clarity in articulating the revolutionary role of the proletariat. Critics, however, note its dense prose and perceived dogmatism. Overall, readers find it an essential, though challenging, text for understanding socialist ideology.
Who Should Read The State and Revolution?
A reader interested in The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin is likely drawn to political theory, revolutionary history, and Marxist philosophy. They might also appreciate works like Marx’s The Communist Manifesto or Mao’s On Practice and Contradiction, which delve into similar themes of state power and social change.