72

Comrade Chairman, delegates, comrades and friends, We on behalf of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Bangladesh thank the leadership of the Communist Party of India(Marxist) for inviting us in this international seminar. We highly appreciate the initiative taken by CPI(M) to organise this seminar on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great philosopher, revolutionary, the leader and teacher of the international proletariat who along with his great comrade Federick Engels laid the scientific foundation of socialism to which there is no alternative for human emancipation, progress and civilization. This seminar, organised by CPI(M) will also give an opportunity to the working class parties of the world to reach to a common understanding and ideological stand, to evaluate the present world situation and possibly find out a common strategy for advancing world socialist movement. Such an international meeting of the Communist and Workers Parties was urgently needed. We once again express our thanks to CPI(M) for organizing such a meet.

I

p The subject matter of today’s seminar is "Present World Situation and the Validity of Marxism”. Is there anyone present here who denies the validity of Marxism in the present context of the world situation? However, it is true that setbacks suffered by socialism in former Soviet Union and East Europe have caused some doubts among the ranks of the international communist movement about the validity of Marxism. But our party is firmly convinced that the setback of socialism at a certain period of history 73 on certain parts of the globe does not in any way negate the validity of Marxism. Rather it was the anti-Marxist policy of the leadership of those countries that caused the socialism to fail temporarily. Paris Commune, the first state of the working class, existed for few days only. It happened during the days of Karl Marx, when the working class was not matured enough to fulfill the condition for lasting victory. So it failed. Then again there appeared, in Russia, a state of Proletarian Dictatorship, guided by the ideology of Marxism. Under a very difficult and hostile world situation, socialism was not only victorious, but also proved itself to be much superior to capitalism. The wonderful successes and achievements of socialism, the great advancement of the human civilization was due to the successful application of Marxism and Leninism. When Marxism was replaced by revisionism and bourgeois ideology, there appeared moral and economic degradation and degeneration. This very fact speaks eloquently for Marxism-Leninism.

p The bourgeois propaganda against Marxism dates from the very day of the birth of Marxism. The bourgeois was at once prompted by its class feeling to realise that the new revolutionary teaching was imminently dangerous to it. In the beginning they started either to ignore it or to reject it as a social science. But this could not prevent the growing influence of Marxism over the class conscious workers and other honest people. Because the urge for human liberation finds an expression in the revolutionary ideology of Marxism. As Lenin put it, "The irrestible attraction of this theory which draws to itself the socialists of all countries lies precisely in the fact that it combines the quality of being strictly and supremely scientific... with that of being revolutionary" (CW vol. 1. page 327).

p Then comes the next phase of the history of the development of Marxism. Guided by the ideology of Marxism, Russian workers under the leadership of Lenin built the state of proletarian dictatorship and a society that fulfilled for the first time in the history the cherished desire of mankind - end of exploitation of man by man. Being guided by Marxism and Leninism, Russian proletariat led by the Bolshevik Party and its leader Stalin, built a fast developing society free from class exploitation and imbued with very high degree of moral and human values. There was no unemployment, which is an impossibility in capitalism. Every citizen was guaranteed basic requirements of modem life which no capitalist country however rich can ever think of. Under the leadership of Stalin who 74 strongly defended Marxism-Leninism and practically applied it, Russia once a backward country turned into powerful nation within a very short time. It was socialist Soviet Union that saved the mankind from the horrors of Fascism, defeating Hitler’s Germany, while capitalist France, a colonial power was occupied by Hitler within a couple of days. It was only the socialist Soviet who consistently fought against colonialism, while all the capitalist countries not only killed millions of people in order to maintain their colonial rule and to ruthlessly exploit and plunder the colonies, but also quarreled among themselves and were engaged in the most savage wars for the purpose of redividing the world. So more and more people were attracted toward Marxism. Now Marxism could no longer be ignored. The attractive force of Marxist-Leninist ideas is now so great that even the enemies of Marxism had to reckon with it. In 1950, John Foster Dulles, former secretary of state of U.S.A. had to admit (in his book "War or peace”) that Marxism "catches imagination of millions and millions of people”. He asserted that the programme of social transformation elaborated in the U.S.S.R. has tremendous attraction for those who consider themselves oppressed or deceived and also for idealists who want to improve the world.

p However, even during this period the bourgeois slander against Marxism continued unabated. A good number of bourgeois intellectuals were busy in finding fault with Marxism. During this period too, they tried to assert that Marxism has become an obsolete theory and that it can not be used as the basis for a scientific analysis of present day world. For example French theologian Pierre Masset while admitting that Marxism as a theory cannot be ignored even by those who would have liked to do so, asserted that "Marxism perished as a doctrine,” and that "as a philosophical and economic theory Marxism has had its golden age”. But Marxism remained very much alive and effective. Not only the political struggle of the people, but also various branches of social sciences were extensively influenced by Marxist ideas. Karl Popper, Professor of the University of London, in 1959, while attacking the Marxist concept of materialistic interpretation of history admitted that Marxism stands head and shoulders above all preceding social theories. According to him, " a return to pre-Marxian social science is impossible" (Open societies and its enemies).

Now comes the present phase of history. After the collapse of 75 Soviet Union and setbacks suffered by socialism in Europe, the bourgeoisie have intensified their attack on Marxism. Revisionists have openly gone over to the side of bourgeoisie. And there prevails a lot of confusion among the ranks of Marxist parties too all over the world. It is said that Marxism has failed, that Marxism is no longer valid in the present world situation. Why? Because socialism has failed in Soviet Union. This assertion is absolutely wrong. Firstly, the fact that the socialist system once developed in Soviet Union and East European countries was demolished does not in any way negate the validity of the science known as Marxism. Moreover, the root cause of this failure in USSR and East Europe lies with the leadership who did not want to remain socialist. Then why blame Marxism? Secondly, still there are some socialist countries upholding Marxist ideology including the largest country in the world in terms of population, we mean China. China, Vietnam, Korea and Cuba all these countries arc existing as socialist countries. It is a matter of great pride on the part of international proletariat that inspite of constant threat of US aggression and blockade small countries like Korea and Cuba exist as socialist countries. In fact, US has been waging a war against them, but has failed to crush their morale or deviate them from socialist path. Recent economic development of war ravaged Vietnam is encouraging. The rate of growth of China is 12 per cent, which may seem to be a wonder to the Western capitalist world who are now suffering from the worst form of crisis since 1929. Thirdly, even in some of the capitalist and third world countries, Marxist movement remains as a powerful political force. For example, in the city of Calcutta where we have met for this seminar, Marxism as a political force is much more powerful than the bourgeoisie. The declaration of 71 political parties of the world to defend and advance the socialist cause known as Pyongyong Declaration on April 20, last year (1992) amply demonstrates the strength of the world socialist movement. It is then apparent that Marxism is very much alive the world over. To quote Stalin ’To destroy Marxism the working class must be destroyed. But it is impossible to destroy the working class”.

II

p World has changed a lot since the days of Marx. But does it mean that the basic tenets of Marxism has become outdated? No, because Marxism also had its share in this change. Moreover 76 Marxism is not a dogma, nor should it be taken as a ready made solution for the present and future problems of the society. Marxism is a science which is being continuously developed. It is a methodology to be applied in the concrete situation. It can never become out dated. Marx never tried to predict the future world events like a religious prophet or give solution to the problems of the future socialist society for which he was struggling. "There is no trace of an attempt on Marx’s part" Lenin wrote, "to make up an Utopia, to indulge in idle guesswork about what can not be known. Marx treated the question of Communism in the same way as a naturalist would treat the question of development of, say, a new biological variety, once he knew that it had originated in such and such way and was changing in such and such definite direction"(CW. vol 25, page 458).

p Let us here very briefly try to examine the major aspects of Marxism and its validity in the context of present world situation. Firstly Marxist philosophy. Marx inherited classical German philosophy and developed it to a higher level which is known as dialectical materialism. It is a powerful weapon in the hands of proletariat and other oppressed people who want to struggle for liberation. Idealist philosophy is not scientific and also it disarms the oppressed humanity ideologically. The great changes that have taken place in the social, economic and political life of the people of the world confirm the validity of materialism, and not idealism. Marx was materialist, but "he enriched it with the achievements of German classical philosophy, especially of Hegel’s system which in its turn led to the materialism of Feuerbach. The main achievement was dialectics, i.e. the doctrine of development in its fullest, deepest and most comprehensive form, the doctrine of the relativity of human knowledge that provides us with the reflection of any eternally developing matter" (Lenin, C.W. vol 19, page 24). Is there any reason to question the validity of dialectical materialism, the highest form of materialism where dialectics and materialism form an organic unity, in the present context of the world situation? Our Party firmly believes that the philosophical doctrine of Marxism is a powerful instrument of theoretical knowledge and at the same time an effective means in man’s practical work of remaking today’s world. The unbreakable tie of theory with revolutionary practice isa major distinctive featureof Marxist philosophy. Marxian philosophy is not a subject of only academic discussion. In the 77 words of Marx himself "Just as philosophy finds its material weapon in proletariat, so does the proletariat find its spiritual weapon in philosophy" (Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Law). The main reason for the collapse of "Soviet socialism’ is that the leadership of CPSU did not remain philosophically Marxist.

p However, Marx himself did not consider philosophy as an "absolute science" claiming to solve "all riddles”. Extending and applying dialectical materialism to social phenomenon and laws of social developments and also social forces, the working class destined to advance society along the road of progress. This is the doctrine of historical materialism. The materialist concept of history, the theory of inevitability of socialism, of proletarian revolution, class struggle and the dictatorship of the proletariat etc. was never accepted by the bourgeois scholars and sociologists, as they cannot think of their own downfall. But the scientific analysis of the society and all the facts gathered till now prove the validity of the theory. The collapse of Soviet socialism, in our opinion, does not reject the Marxist ideas. Our Party considers that the doctrine of historical materialism is also of immense importance to us. Rejecting subjectivism and fatalism, this doctrine arms people with the knowledge of the laws governing the development of society. The practical utilization of laws of social development ensures success of people’s transforming activity.

p Let us now come to the major economic aspects of Marxism. In the earlier period of bourgeois development, the bourgeois scholars tried to be scientific. During this period Adam Smith and David Ricardo laid the foundation of labour theory of value and then Marx developed it further to discover the theory of surplus value. Recently in our country some of the ex-Communists are trying to assert that the theory of surplus value is no longer valid. Why? Because, according to them, in the present period of high technology and computer, the theory of surplus value has lost its significance. This is simply nonsense. Though Marx did not have any idea about computer, he dealt the theoretical question arising out of higher technology in his immortal book “Capital” (Vol 1. Chapter under the heading of "Machinery and Modern Industry). Marx also did not live to see giant industrial complex or transnational corporations. Monopoly capitalism developed after the death of Karl Marx. But analyzing scientifically, Marx could predict the 78 historic tendencies of capitalism- the concentration and centralization of capital. His prediction came true.

Marxism is a creative science. It was developed by Lenin, who made a special study of the concentration and centralization of capital in the epoch of imperialism and showed that the process of capitalist accumulation naturally lead to gigantic monopoly association. Leninism which is the Marxism in the epoch of imperialism states that it is the final stage of capitalism and of proletarian revolution. He developed strategies of revolution and theories of uneven development of capitalism and of breaking the chain of imperialism at i ts weakest link. He also developed theories regarding war and peace, national liberation movement and so on. An intrepid revolutionary and innovator in both politics and theory, Lenin set an example of a thoughtful and sublimely attentive attitude to the treasure-store of Marxist thought and revolutionary experience of all countries. There was always a dialectical link between Lenin’s innovatory ideas and solutions and the Marxist tradition. The validity of Marxism-Leninism has been proved again and again during the entire course of history of twentieth century. There is no other theory or methodology to understand properly the present world and to change it for its betterment. However doubts sometimes were entertained by some of the honest thinkers too about the relevance of the Marxist-Leninist approach to the present epoch, because of the complexities of life and rapid change of the a ndition under which the Communists, politics adopted by the opportunists functioning in the name of Communist Parties, the difficulties linked with understanding the process actually taking place and with working out political strategy and tactics in the changing situation are reflected in the minds of some people as crisis of Marxism-Leninism. Particularly after the emergence of Khrushchevite revisionism and the betrayal of the cause of socialism by the opportunists like Gorbachev culminating in the collapse of socialist Soviet doubts about the validity of Marxism have grown faster. So there is pressing need for a further assimilation of inexhaustible resources of Marxism and we must guard ourselves against any attempt to strip the Marxist-Leninist teaching of its revolutionary essence and also against the dogmatic approach towards the science of Marxism.

79

III

p Let us now pay attention to the Russian episode. After the setbacks of socialism in former Soviet Union and East Europe, the bourgeoisie have started slandering more vigorously than ever before. They have declared that Marxism and socialism have already vanished. We should firmly refute and fight against their false propaganda. But at the same time, we should also find out the causes of this tragic event.

p The achievements of socialism are great. These are as follows:

p 1. Socialism in former USSR, for the first time in world history eliminated class exploitation — one of the greatest achievement of human civilization.

p 2. Socialism in USSR (and also other socialist countries) for the first time in the world history guaranteed the basic material need of modern life (such as free education for all, complete elimination of illiteracy, free and equal medical facility for all, housing facility for all, old age pension, st*te care for disabled persons and orphans, job security etc.) which forced some of the rich capitalist countries to introduce some kind of social security to a certain extent.

p 3. Soviet Union a relatively backward agrarian country turned into powerful developed nation. To quote an U.S. specialist on Soviet, Ed.Hewett, Soviet Union became the second largest economic power in the world. (‘Reforming Soviet Economy’ by Ed.Hewett). Soviet Union started the process of socialization in the late 20’s and early BO’S and during this period of her first five year plan Soviet Union demonstrated the superiority of socialism with her high rate of growth and rapid development, while at that time the rest of the world, i.e. the capitalist world had been suffering from the worst economic crisis of the history. Then again the astonishingly fast rehabilitation after the second world war also proves the superiority of the socialist system. It may be mentioned here that Soviet Union suffered most during the second world war. She was completely devasted and ruined. Many of the experts of the West were of the opinion that Russia would not be able to rise even in a hundred years. Moreover USA and Western powers, Soviet’s ally in the war period did not come forward with slightest help. But within three years after the end of the war, the pre-war industrial level was surpassed. Is it not a wonderful achievement of socialism? Is it not the credit of the party and its leader Stalin and 80 the system of proletarian dictatorship? Is it not the proof of the superiority of a socialist system and its planned economy.

p 4. In socialist system there was no unemployment and never any economic crisis, which is an impossibility in capitalist system.

p 5. Socialist system in Soviet Union, once a very backward country, attained a very high level of cultural, scientific and intellectual standard. It was USSR who was the first to send man in the space. It was USSR who had the prestige of being champion in Olympic games.

p 6. Socialist Soviet created a new people with high degree of morality and human values, whereas corruption, crime, gross violation of human values, racism etc. are the natural characteristics of capitalist countries.

p 7. It was USSR and other socialist countries who contributed much for the freedom of colonies and consistently helped the national liberation struggle of black Africa, Palestine and other oppressed nations, where as capitalist countries (UK., France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan) themselves were colonial powers and supporters of racism.

p 8. Soviet Union saved mankind from the menace of fascism by defeating Hitler’s Germany fighting almost single handedly.

p 9. Socialist USSR always stood for peace, where as capitalism is responsible for world wars and regional wars too.

p All these facts prove the superiority of socialism over capitalism. But then why did it collapse in the former Soviet Union? Some people say that it was due to the inherent defect in the system created by Lenin and Stalin. .But the fact that it existed against the attack by 14 capitalist states in the initial period of revolution when she was a very weak power and then by defeating Nazi aggression and the fact that it scored great victories in the field of economy and culture refute these allegations. Some people say that the present crisis is due to the policy adopted by Stalin in the decade of 3(Xs. It is simply nonsense to put blame on Stalin who died 40 years ago. Moreover, the period of Stalin was the most glorious period of Russian history. However, the revisionists and the capitalist readers always try to put blame on Stalin only to undermine and demolish socialism itself. Starting from Khrushchev the successive leaders of USSR denounced Stalin on the charge of so called personality cult and alleged that he distorted inner party life, did great damage to 81 the social development and hindered economic development. Our party thinks that these are simply distortion of history. Some people say that NEP should have been continued for a longer period. The present crisis of Russia and former Soviet Union was due to Stalin who introduced the policy of rapid socialization, ’ super’ industrialization, collectivization and planned socialist economy. Our party considers that those policies of Stalin were not only correct, but also of great significance. Firstly NEP was nothing but a temporary tactical retreat under the then existing situation. Even Lenin who introduced NEP advised the party to make a halt to the retreat and get prepared for attacking capitalism based on private property in the llth Party congress. Moreover had NEP been continued for a longer period then there would have been every apprehension of capitalist restoration and over all economic setback too. By 1926, Soviet economy returned back to the pre-war (first world warHevel. Then Stalin following Lenin’s ideas started the process of eliminating exploiting class and private property which he did very successfully. He advocated the policy of giving preference to heavy industry, to the production of capital goods, machineries, power generation and fuel development etc. This laid the foundation of a strong economy, which helped the agricultural production as well. Because of such policy, the production of consumer goods were not up to the mark. But it is quite natural that one generation has to sacrifice for the next generation, for future. Moreover, the impending danger of war and aggression also compelled the Soviet government to go for so called super industrialization. As to the collectivization its significance lies in the fact that it eliminated exploiting class in the rural area, laid the basis of socialism in the agricultural sector, improved agricultural production, strengthened the alliance of workers and peasants who also strengthened the state of dictatorship of the proletariat and on the top of it, it provided funds for rapid industrialization. Stalin had to fight right wingers like Bukharin on the question of industrial and agrarian policy. He also had to fight left deviationist tendencies of Preobrazhensky and the opportunist line of Trotsky who always vacillated between the right and the left.

p The five year plan and the planned economy introduced by Stalin was of great importance. The pen pushers of the bourgeoisie have given a new name to the planned economy as command economy. This is again a slander against socialism. According to 82 Anna Louise Strong, an American journalist who lived in Russia during the period of Stalin, "The plan was never a blue-print to be followed precisely - it wasa challenge to be met and then surpassed. It was not made solely by Moscow, but simultaneously by Moscow and the farthest end of the land" CThe Stalin Era’ by Anna Louise Strong). Planned economy is not only the essential element of socialism, but also of a balanced economic and cultural growth of any country. Now how far it would be centralized, what would be the mechanism of planning is altogether a different question. It depends on the concrete situation of a particular country at a particular period of time. But what is the alternative to planned economy? The market economy? Is it not a command economy which is dictated by a handful number of big capitalists? The experience of capitalist economy has demonstrated to the world that it is bound to create chaos, crisis, occasional colossal destruction of human and material resources and damage to the environment.

p The greatest contribution of Stalin was that he defended Marxism-Leninism, and creatively applied it to build a socialist society. His contribution to the international communist movement is also of great importance. It is very important to recognize his contribution in order to advance the present socialist movement. However, Stalin made some mistakes which were minor compared to his contribution. In the late 3ffs he thought there was no more need of class struggle, as the exploiting class did not exist. That was his major mistake. In the 18th party congress in 1939 he declared, "In place of suppression, the state has acquired the function of protecting socialist property from thieves and pilferers of the property of the people”. In the later period Stalin probably realised his mistakes. But that was too late.

p There were other great mistakes too. The leaders of the revolution, both Lenin and Stalin, paid little attention to the legal provisions safeguarding the freedom of individual members of the working people. Comrade B.T.Ranadive, the leader of CPI(M), immediately before his death said, "The constitution of the USSR since 1918 guarantees rights to common man which no bourgeois constitution could think of. Then he continues, "At the same time when it is a question of provisions assuring individual liberty in relation to state, the freedom from the arbitrary behaviour on the part of the administration and the state we find a big gap. There are 83 no checks and counter checks against abuse of authority for the proper implementation of decisions as there are in consonance with the Party and the Soviets" (Theoretical organ of CPI(M), The Marxist, in the issue of Oct-Dec. 1987).

It is true that there were mistakes. But these mistakes could be corrected in due course, had the party leadership not been captured by the revisionist. The main cause of the collapse of socialism in USSR and East Europe was the revisionist and anti-Marxist policies pursued by the leadership, starting from Khrushchev to Gorbachev.

IV

p There were opportunist and revisionist tendencies within the party from the very beginning. It is known to everybody mat Zinoviev and Kamenev betrayed the party even before the October Revolution. Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin and others conspired against the Soviet state. Apart from these facts, there were anti-Marxist and reformist tendencies even among those holding high positions. Evidence can be found in the last major work of Stalin "Economic Problems of Socialism in USSR”. In this book we see that Stalin had to fight the erroneous and opportunist views of the then Soviet scholars like Yaroshenko, Notkin, Sanina and Venzhar. Evidence of revisionist tendencies and of growing bureaucracy can be found in the report of 19th party congress immediately before the death of Stalin. Even in his valuable work "Problems of Leninism”, Stalin mentioned aboutbureaucrats in the following words, "The bureaucrats and red-tapists have long become past masters in the art of demonstrating their loyalty to the party and government decisions in words and pigeon-holding them in deed”. However it is unfortunate that Stalin failed to complete his struggle against the revisionist and opportunist tendencies mainly because of second world war. After the death of Stalin revisionists triumphed.

p Since the 20th party congress, the party started to deviate from Marxism-Leninism. Khrushchev undermined the dictatorship of proletariat stating that it is no longer the state of the working class. He undermined and in some cases negated the importance of national liberation movement and of revolution. He put forward the theory of peaceful transition and peaceful competition and misinterpreted the Leninist idea of peaceful co-existence. He 84 wanted "to be friends with the United States and cooperate with them in the struggle for peace and security for the people”. He gave a false hope of bringing communism in USSR within next twenty years.

p Similar wrong ideas are also reflected in the 81 party conference of the Communist and Workers Parties of the world held in 1960 where it is stated, "The time is not far off when socialism’s share of the world production will be greater than that of capitalism-Capitalism will be defeated in the decisive sphere of human endeavor, the sphere of material production...the world capitalism is going through an intense process of disintegration and decay-capitalism impedes more and more the achievements of science and technology”. Today we know that this prediction did not come true. Rather socialism failed to utilise the scientific and technological development though it had the potential to do so. Anyhow that is a different issue. What we want to point out here is that there were more emphasis on the material production than on people’s revolution and struggle against imperialism and capitalism. Impression was given that capitalism would automatically collapse, Thereisnotmuchneedforviolentrevolution. Khrushchev revisionism vulgarized Marxism-Leninism stripping off its revolutionary essence. Thatwas the greatest damage done by Khrushchev. Khrushchev’s attack on Stalin with fabrication and lies was also aimed at belittling socialist system and pleasing US imperialism. That is how Soviet Party started to degenerate and turned into a revisionist party. CPSU led by Khrushchev also disrupted international communist movement, which in turn adversely affected Soviet society.

p Khrushchev also initiated some economic reforms. Though apparently it did not significantly affect the economy, its consequences were grave and opened up for gradual capitalist transformation.

p During 60’s another kind of erroneous tendencies could be observed in the international Communist movement. The glorious struggle of Vietnam, emergence of Cuba and the successes of national liberation movements created over optimism among the ranks of Communist movement. Surely there existed a revolutionary situation but it was over-emphasized. Lenin’s thesis on imperialism, its moribund and decaying character was not understood 85 properly. It was understood mechanically, not dialectically. It was thought that imperialism would collapse very easily by a little more strong blow to it. The capacity of capitalism to adapt itself to the new situation was underestimated. Unlike previous exploiting classes, capitalists have a special quality which was pointed out long before by Marx and Engels. "The bourgeois cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production and thereby the relation of production and with them whole relations of society" (Communist Manifesto). We overlooked these words of Marx and Engels. However, it is again wrong to conclude that capitalism can remould the entire society and bring about a total revolutionary change to perpetuate its existence. The potential of capitalism was both underestimated and over estimated. However the main danger in the international communist movement was reformism and revisionism, inspired by CPSU led by Khrushchev, Breznev and Gorbachev, which created a tendency of capitulation to imperialism and negation of revolution.

p Breznev in the main continued the policy of Khrushchevite revisionism. However there were certain differences, though not in the essence. For example USSR helped directly the Vietnam revolution and the national liberation movements of Arab and African people. We recognize these positive aspects of the then CPSU. But at the same time there were instances of causing harm to the liberation movements and betrayal of the principle of proletarian internationalism. In the main Breznev continued the revisionist ideology. In 1966 he “excommunicated” China and Albania. Intoxicated by the idea of Khrushchev and Breznev revisionism some Communist parties or the right sections of the Communist parties pushed towards a reconciliation with the bourgeoisie in their own country. In order to maintain parity with USA, Breznev adopted the policy of maximum expansion of military and nuclear strength of USSR which adversely affected Soviet economy. As long as imperialism exists, it is ofcourse necessary to have sufficient military power to defend socialist state. But, in our opinion, it was not wise and practical to spend such a huge amount of resources only to maintain military and nuclear parity with the Western military industrial complex. Breznev relied solely on military strength and not on mobilization of masses, continuation of class struggle and revolutionary education. Military expenditure, out of proportion is also one of the main causes of economic 86 crisis and collapse of socialist Soviet.

p Economic reform initiated by Khrushchev was further carried forward by Breznev which gradually created capitalist elements. Party officials were involved in corruption in a big way giving rise to the creation of black money. Bureaucracy developed and the party devoid of ideological motivation became a huge bureaucratic machinery completely detached from people. Breznev represented the bureaucratic elite which sought easy life and growing privileges.

p In 1985 Gorbachev came to power. He was the true representative of the black money holders who wanted to restore capitalism. From the very beginning our Party considered the thesis of perestroika and glasnost as completely anti-Marxist. We also rejected the theory of ’integrated world’ and ’modification of contradiction’. Gorbachev presented the world situation in a way which did not correspond to the reality. He distorted the history of Soviet Union only to belittle socialism. He also criticized Stalin only to please Western imperialism and to demolish Marxism-Leninism and socialism. Gorbachev completely surrendered to imperialism and behaved like an imperialist ideologue upto the extent that he even justified the exploitation of the third world countries by the Western imperialist powers. He said "We know how important the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, other third world regions and also South Africa are for Americans and West European economies, in particular as raw material sources" (Perestroika). It was again Gorbachev who helped and encouraged the East European socialist countries to go back to capitalism. He allowed and encouraged the bourgeois culture and ideology to penetrate into society. In the name of glasnost and so called democracy he praised bourgeois democracy. Actually he and his colleagues did not try to improve socialist democracy. Democracy was only a catchword to provoke people against socialist system. He himself being the general secretary of the party banned and dissolved it. Let us not elaborate the crimes committed by Gorbachev which is well known to you.

p During the last period of Breznev there appeared relative economic stagnation because of the revisionist policy. During the period from 1976 to 1985 growth rates of national and industrial production declined, for the first time in the history of Soviet Union, 87 since the introduction of first five year plan. But it was the decline of rate of growth, not of absolute growth. Targets decided in the two five year plans during this period could not be achieved. Gorbachev declared that he would activize economy. So he suggested economic reform. We as Marxists are not against reform if and when necessary. With the advancement of socialism and of productive forces necessary reform are required. The law of contradiction between productive forces and relation of production exists in socialist society too. When relation of production does not correspond to the productive forces and the necessity of its further advancement, there is need for new production relation. But in a socialist society new relation of production what may be termed as reform does not mean the change of the ownership of the socialist property. It only means reform regarding management of the production, distribution and administration. But what did Gorbachev do? Gorbachev by one after another decrees started the process of privatization, made agrarian reform in favour of restoring capitalism. He encouraged cooperatives in place of state and collective organizations. In case of industry supreme Soviet adopted Gorbachev’s plan prepared by Aganbegan and paved the road toward capitalism. Shatalin, whose plan was adopted by Russian parliament by the end of 1990 under the leadership of Yeltsin, started praising market economy and demanded de jure equality of all types of property including private property and that revenue from property should be recognized as lawful profit. The party no longer remained as party of working class. It started behaving like the masters over working class whom they blamed for economic deterioration. Party leaders and academicians like Nikolai Shmelyov suggested unemployment as the only cure for the problem. In short, instead of taking correct path of socialism, almost entire gang of Party leadership decided in favour of capitalism. According to them socialist system is inefficient and unworkable. But it is an absolute lie. Had it been inefficient how could it achieve great economic victories during the period of Stalin and also afterwards? How can we blame Russian workers for idleness and inefficiency when there is record of unprecedented reconstruction of the war torn economy in record time and also of Subbotnik movement during the period of Lenin, which Lenin considered as "the beginning of a change of momentous importance"? The superiority of socialist planned economy over capitalist market economy is very 88 much proved by the historic experience of Soviet Union and other socialist countries and also by the experience of capitalism constantly gripped by crisis.

p It is true that there was relative economic stagnation during the end of Tffs. But that could be overcome by applying Marxist method and principle of socialism. Let me cite one example. It was during the period of last days of Brezenv when revisionism has already destroyed much of socialist spirit and economy. Reagan administration and its Western allies imposed embargo on the sale of necessary technology for the Siberian project for the gas pipe line. They were sure that the project would collapse as Soviet lacks necessary technology and other components. But Soviet might was mobilized and it scored the victory. Commenting on this incident US specialist on Soviet energy Ed.Hewett (whom we have mentioned earlier) admitted (in his book ’Reforming the Soviet Economy’) that the success of the project was due to "the strength of the system”. Gorbachev’s attempt was to diminish the strength of this system. Inspite of revisionist sabotages, the system built by the party under the leadership of Lenin and Stalin was still then so strong that economic problem could be solved and Soviet Union could be salvaged under that very system in a socialist way. But Gorbachev had a different outlook. He wanted to go back to capitalism. So taking the plea of economic crisis which he himself created and further aggravated and in the name of so called democracy he put forward capitalist alternative.

p Now question lies why did the Russian people agree to go back to capitalism and abandon socialism? It is because of the fact that the new generation since Khrushchev’s time were educated and psychologically prepared in such a way that they may prefer capitalism. They were given a false impression that capitalism would give them abundance and freedom. People were calculatedly misled by "the preaching of * democratic charms’ of the present day capitalism and fawning over its achievements real and imaginary" (to use the words of Nine Andreyeva, the leader of present day Communists of Russia). Secondly Soviet party bureaucrats who were enjoying better life at the cost of common man’s labour and who abused the power were not only isolated from the masses, but were also hated by the masses. This hatred turned the Soviet people against the system without realising its consequences. Now 89 they can see the ugly face of capitalism which has offered them nothing but poverty and humiliation. Conscious people are now revolting against the new bourgeois regime who had befooled them by giving them false hope. The very recent events of Soviet Union proves the superiority of socialism over capitalism and the validity of Marxism.

p We may now summarise the causes of the collapse of Soviet socialism. These are—

p 1. Emergence of revisionism  

p 2. Emergence of bureaucracy, corruption and black money which were due to the revisionist policy of the leadership.

p 3. Lack of socialist democracy within party and society. (It may be mentioned here that socialist democracy is superior to bourgeois democracy which is the democracy of few rich. However, Soviet Union failed to develop further socialist democracy involving all the working people in administration and decision making process and later on Soviet state turned into a bureaucrat state under the revisionist leadership).

p 4. Absence of ideological education among the people and the influence of bourgeois ideology and culture, sponsored by the leadership itself.

p 5. Undermining the dictatorship of the proletariat  

p 6. Failure to utilize scientific and technological development in an all round way though socialism had the immense capacity to do so,

p 7. Betrayal of the principle of proletarian internationalism  

p 8. Spending on military build up out of all proportions. Communists all over the world should take lessons from what happened in former USSR and East Europe. These are as follows: 

p 1. Character of the leadership of the Party is the most decisive factor in the construction of socialism.

p 2. Purity of the Marxist-Leninist ideology should be maintained both for revolution and socialist reconstruction. There may be political mistakes or mistakes regarding economic planning which may be corrected in due course, but the ideological deviation will cause disaster, even the collapse of a developed socialism.

p 3. Dictatorship of the proletariat should not be undermined 90 and class struggle should be continued to consolidate it.

p 4. Bourgeois culture and ideology should be incessantly cornbatted by proletarian culture and ideology and people should be continuously educated in the proletarian outlook in the context of the world development too.

p 5. Socialist democracy is to be practiced and continuously developed so that working people can freely play active role in the administration and the decision making process. Individual liberty of the members of the working people should be safeguarded from the abuse of power by the authority.

p 6. Leadership of the party shall have to be ensured, not by constitutional declaration but by actually acquiring the confidence of the people.

p 7. There should be guard against the emergence of bureaucracy by applying such method by which people can have the right to supervise the activities of the officials and the party and the right to criticise them.

p 8. Under all circumstances party whether in power or out of power should strictly follow the principle of proletarian internationalism, one of the main foundations of Marxism.

9. In the field of science and technology socialist society should maintain its superiority and proper attention should be given to utilize the scientific and technological development of the world.

V

Let us now look at the present world situation i.e. the situation since the collapse of USSR and the end of so called cold war period. The main features of the contemporary world situation is as follows:

1. Non existence of the socialist camp:

The socialist camp that once existed does no longer exist. However there are still socialist countries including the biggest country of the world in terms of population. The socialist camp that could inspire the oppressed peoples for liberation and did materially and politically help them, is no longer present in the new world situation. There is relatively general lull in the third world revolutionary activity. The socialist camp that could ensure real world peace and check the aggressive role of imperialism is absent. It is 91 said that the end of the cold war had eliminated tension and the possibility of war. But it is an absolute lie. Facts prove that peace has not been ensured. Rather regional wars has become the order of the day. Do not world today lament for the world in which socialism was so prominent?

2. Aggressive role of imperialism and the third world:

p In the present world situation U.S. imperialism has become more aggressive than before. The beginning of the new decade with the collapse of Soviet Union provided an opportunity for the USA a ‘New World Order’ of their choice. This "New world order" means the heightening of imperialist aggression against the third world. On the other hand it accentuates the rivalries and frictions among the advanced capitalist countries.

p After the second world war USA came out as the most powerful state and most heinous enemy of mankind. Until now it is the only state that dropped atom bomb only to demonstrate its power. In the new situation it has become international policeman. US administration has kidnapped the president of a sovereign country, not to speak of other crimes committed by them. It takes us back to the barbaric age of medieval history. In short US imperialism is working against humanity and democratic principle on an international scale.

p The dominance of imperialism takes on varied form due to the continuing changes in global politics and economy. The old slogans are giving way to new ones-development, democracy and drug control, though imperialism itself is the main obstacle for development and democracy and US business circles are themselves involved in drug affairs. Even anti-terrorism and denuclearization are interpreted to suit their design, although USA itself is the worst kind of international terrorist and the only user of atom bomb.

p Imperialism, headed by USA while plundering the resources of entire world, wantonly destroyed the ecological balance of the world. US is still arrogantly continuing this sinister policy of grabbing world’s natural resources being utterly indifferent to safeguard the environment for the humanity to survive. In the last Rio conference they refused to accept the democratic opinion of the 92 world and go their own way.

p Side by side with using brutal military power imperialists are using political and economic means to dominate the world. International institutions like UNO is used as a tool to serve the imperialist interest of USA. The non-proliferation treaty serves as a tool of major capitalist powers to monopolize nuclear technology for war and blackmail and to subjugate the people of rest of the world. For most of the third world countries, prescriptions by the World Bank and IMF ensures their perennial entrapment to the global capitalist system, causing poverty and permanent under development for the third world countries.

However let us not overestimate the strength of imperialism. It has its inherent and unavoidable weakness, manifested by the present economic crisis of the capitalist world.

3. Capitalist crisis

The entire capitalist world has been suffering from severe crisis. The imperialists want to shift the burden of crisis on the shoulder of the toiling people of the third world causing further sufferings to them. Let us take a brief view of the present US economy. USA is the biggest debtor country in the world. Its trade deficit is enormous. Its central budget deficit is huge. The unemployment is growing everyday and large number of enterprises are being closed everyday. The situation in other countries, including Japan and Germany is also not good. Situation of UK is worse. In short the present capitalist crisis is the gravest one in the history only next to that of 1929. In Europe, particularly in Germany fascist tendencies has already appeared as a great social menace. In USA particularly, incredible social problems are being accumulated . The recent racial riot in USA is the indication of further future social unrest.

4. Contradiction among the imperialist powers:

p Because of the deep crisis and collapse of powerful Soviet Union confrontation among the capitalist countries have become inevitable. In fact trade war between USA and Japan has already started. There appeared three major centers of the capitalist world, U.S.A. Japan and E.E.C. led by Germany. The issue at the moment is frantic securing of market. As the crisis continues, manifested in 93 the global market slump, they are frantically searching for new solution. But there is no solution in the capitalist economy. The point is that the international market is not growing very quickly. Advanced capitalist countries raid each other’s market, though third world market for commodities and capital remain the ultimate frontier for the survival of the international capital.

So the inter imperialist crisis has been intensified. Inner contradiction of the capitalist world is at the highest level since the second world war. Of course we do not see the possibility of any war like the first and second world war in the immediate future for a number of reasons. But confrontation in some other form in near future cannot be ruled out. As far back as in 1952, Stalin said, "What guarantee is there that Germany and Japan will not rise to their feet again, will not attempt to break out of American bondage and live their own independent lives? I think, there is no such guarantee. It follows from this that the inevitability of wars between capitalist countries remain in force”. It is interesting to note here that though USA is the mightiest military power in the world, economically it is loosing its supremacy. Soviet Union was once a super power, one of the two mightiest military powers in the world. She still possesses nuclear weapons much more than any other countries except USA. But she lost her importance in world politics. So only military power does not decide every thing, where other more dynamic economic factors play a great role. Can USA be really called a super power who goes to Japan for begging?

5. Unstable situation in the former socialist countries:

p Situation in the former Soviet Union and East European countries are still very unstable, uncertain and highly explosive. It is very difficult to make prediction with accuracy where it would lead to in the near future. But it can be said that instability would continue for the coming years. People have lost their achievements. Overwhelming majority of the people have become poor and their life have become insecure, because of the restoration of capitalism. Everywhere and particularly in the erstwhile Soviet Union people’s movement to regain their lost rights are getting momentum day by day. Economic disorder exists. Newly created ruling bourgeoisie fails to control the situation and is bound to fail.

p In short aggression and arrogance of imperialist powers against 94 third world countries, conspiracy and undeclared aggression against the socialist countries, extreme form of plundering the third world countries by the imperialist powers, extreme suffering of the people of the third world, ever widening gap between the world’s haves and have nots, deep and grave capitalist crisis, unemployment and social upheaval in the major capitalist countries, rise of fascist political forces and racism, instability and social unrest in the former socialist countries, inter imperialist rivalry - these are the basic features of contemporary world situation. Bourgeois approach to the situation cannot explain or understand, not to speak of changing it for betterment. Only Marxism-Leninism can explain the complexity of the situation. Only Marxist-Leninist approach can give solution to the problem. That is people’s struggle against imperialism and revolution. There is no other alternative. In the context of post-cf>ld war situation the need for defeating imperialism is not over. Rather in the present world situation it has become more urgent. Surely, and imperialist struggle would develop in the third world countries more strongly than before. Demand for radical changes in the structural relations in these countries to achieve genuine liberation and democracy has become more pressing than before. The temporary setback suffered by socialism in some countries does not mean the end of revolutionary era. The economic basis for waging social revolution becomes a more passing issue than the earlier days. The present contours of the international landscape render more potentiality to social causes and anti-imperialist struggles world wide.

p In this meeting of the representatives of the Communist and Workers Parties, we on behalf of the Workers Party of Bangladesh would like to place before you few suggestions for your kind consideration.

p 1. There should be closer contact and occasional mutual exchange of views between the genuine Communist and Workers Parties of the world.

p 2. Communist and Workers Parties should unitedly fight the opportunist revisionist and liquidationist trend and bourgeois slander against Marxism.

p 3. Close alliance of all the anti-imperialist and genuinely democratic forces of the third world countries should be developed who should find out common strategy of anti-imperialist struggle.

95

p 4. Common front of all democratic and peace loving forces of the world should be developed against racism, communalism and fascist tendencies and for total disarmament, including dismantling of foreign bases.

p 5. dose understanding among the following international forces should be developed.

p a) anti-imperialist movements of the third world countries.

p b) revolutionary working class movements of the advanced capitalist countries.

p c) genuine Communist forces of the former socialist countries fighting against capitalist restoration.

p d) the working class parties in power in the socialist countries.

p Let all of us fight for the common cause.

Let us hold high the banner of Marxism-Leninism.