p A socialist revolution radically differs from all the preceding types of social revolution.

p What is the difference?

p Firstly, all previous revolutions did not aim to abolish exploitation, but merely modified its forms. A socialist revolution, however, abolishes every exploitation for all time and ushers in the era of construction of a classless society.

p Secondly, previous revolutions did not have to create a new economy. They only brought political power into line with the new economic relations which arose within the old society. One of the principal tasks of a socialist revolution is to create a new economy, the economy of socialism, which does not arise within the womb of capitalism.

p Thirdly, no revolution is marked by such great activity of the people as a socialist revolution. In the course of it the proletariat rallies round itself the- broad sections of the working people and the democratic forces to fight against capitalism and for socialism.

p The working class is the decisive force of a socialist revolution. Headed by the Marxist party the proletariat, being the most advanced, revolutionary class, leads all the working people who are fighting against the old, capitalist society. It organises the attack on capitalism, which holds political sway, and establishes its own rule. Having seized political power, the working class continues to lead all the working people along the socialist road.

The main question of a socialist revolution is the winning of political power by the proletariat and its further development and consolidation. We know that the working class can discharge its mission—abolish capitalism and build a new society—only by creating its own proletarian state. The destruction of the bourgeois state machine and the building of a new, proletarian state are the principal tasks of a socialist revolution.