On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 12:04 PM, Mark Baugher wrote:

> 
> I'm slowly re-reading what Lenin wrote about members and leadership,
> particularly looking for the notion of a "narrow leadership"

My phrase, not Lenin's, to refer to his notion of a party leadersip and 
membership jointly comprising the most ideologically advanced and committed 
component of the working class. What other meaning to attach to "vanguard"? The 
organizational form was conceived as necessary for a revolutionary party to 
function illegally with many of its members dispersed, imprisoned, or in exile. 
What other alternative model was there (on earth and not in heaven) except the 
German SPD which could convene more regularly and openly in pursuing its 
peaceful road to socialism?

Even Trotsky who tried to steer a middle course between these alternatives, was 
compelled to adopt the democratic centralist model when the revolutionary 
crisis came to a head in Russia and the other European imperialist powers 
during and following WW I.


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