What is Leon Trotsky’s theory of ‘permanent revolution’?
In the early 20th century, Russia was still a mostly feudal country. Could it achieve socialism without passing through greater development of capitalism first?
Even today, the economic and social advances promised by the capitalist democratic revolutions have not been fully achieved in any country. This is especially true in the ‘neocolonial’ countries, whose development is held by back by wealthier capitalist powers.
What is ‘combined and uneven development’? Why is it only the working class which can lead a successful mass movement for permanent social change? And why does the revolution have to be international?
This episode of Socialism looks at how history moves forward: Trotsky’s theory of ‘permanent revolution’.
Further reading
- The striking relevance of Leon Trotsky's Theory of Permanent Revolution: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/29022/24-04-2019/the-striking-relevance-of-leon-trotskys-theory-of-permanent-revolution
- 100th anniversary of the ‘Theory of Permanent Revolution’: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/5001/09-02-2006/are-trotskys-ideas-of-socialist-revolution-still-relevant-today
- Trotsky: The Permanent Revolution today: https://www.socialistworld.net/2010/02/18/trotsky-the-permanent-revolution-today/
- The Permanent Revolution, and Results and Prospects (Leon Trotsky): https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/Trotsky/permanent/index.html
- Nepal: The great general strike – the permanent revolution: https://www.socialistworld.net/2010/06/29/nepal-the-great-general-strike-the-permanent-revolution/
- Cuba: Socialism and Democracy: http://leftbooks.co.uk/epages/950002679.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=27483019
