It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.
Vladimir LeninRead
We are not utopians, we do not “dream” of dispensing at once with all administration, with all subordination. These anarchist dreams, based upon incomprehension of the tasks of the proletarian dictatorship, are totally alien to Marxism, and, as a matter of fact, serve only to postpone the socialist revolution until people are different. No, we want the socialist revolution with people as they are now, with people who cannot dispense with subordination, control, and "foremen and accountants".
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lenin critiques anarchist ideals, emphasizing the necessity of a proletarian structure for achieving socialism.
In this quote, Lenin argues against anarchist visions of a society without hierarchy or administration, asserting that such views misunderstand the reality of society and the need for control in the socialist revolution. He emphasizes that the revolution should be realized with the current state of humanity, which still requires organization and authority, rather than waiting for an idealized future where people have fundamentally changed.
Themes
SocialismRevolutionProletariatAnarchismControl
In practice
Example use cases
In a political discussion about the necessity of governance for social change, this quote can be used to emphasize the need for established structures.
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