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The Weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain

The Dictatorship of the Proletariat: what does it mean?

by John Maryon

The qualitative transfer of society from obsolete capitalism to progressive social ism is the historical mission of the working class. Karl Marx, Frederick Engels and Vladimir Lenin developed an essential and powerful ideological theory to achieve scientific communism. A cornerstone of Marxism-Leninism is the need for a revolutionary change to bring about the dictatorship of the proletariat. Those opposed to Marxism-Leninism are at pains to deny this essential process and foster an illusion of gradual transformation using the bourgeois state apparatus. In effect tinkering with a collapsing system and incorrectly assuming that the working class will grow in terms of knowledge and understanding. In practice the power of the bourgeoisie needs to be challenged by the united efforts of all sections of the working class.

To fully understand the dictatorship of the proletariat it is important to be aware that it does not imply the use of force or threats against others. In Marx and Engel’s days the term ‘dictatorship’ didn’t mean autocratic one man rule in the way we understand it today. They used the term to mean class rule. In the capitalist era we live under the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. The dictatorship of the proletariat means the working class taking power to establish a new type of democracy. To organise the economy to benefit the former exploited classes. To raise political and social awareness of the masses. And to stimulate progressive cultural developments. This would see an end to identity politics, elevation of trivial diversions above matters of substance, the greed and corruption of lobby groups and the politics of hate, blame and exclusion that we experience in Britain today. The Paris Commune gave a first glimpse of the dictatorship of the proletariat in action. Tinkering with the bourgeois machinery of the state will achieve nothing. It must be replaced with a new management apparatus as an essential prerequisite for building true sustainable socialism.

The basis of the dictator ship of the proletariat lies in the creative organisational activity in leading the masses towards building a new form of society. Lenin emphasised that it is the rule of the working class through strength of organisation and discipline using all the achievements of culture, science and technology. Also to develop proletarian affinity with all working people to develop prestige and respect. It may take different forms and methods depending on the nature of the socialist revolution, the existing social structure, the level of economic development and cultural background. Proletarian democracy systemically creates a state of the whole people with the working class playing the leading role.

Lenin said that capital ism condemns the masses to a downtrodden, crushed, anxious existence. A gigantic apparatus of falsehood and deception hoodwinks the workers sowing confusion, fostering ignorance and stultifying their minds. We see this in Britain today. It is obvious that we have reached a great watershed in our political system. As the capitalist crisis has developed the establishment is no longer able to govern in in the traditional manner. There is an increasing risk of neo-fascists gaining power and influence. Today the population of Britain is largely politically ignorant, is incapable of critical or analytical thinking and has sadly becoming brainwashed by continuing propaganda. Multiple colour leaflets issued by Reform reflected the politics of blame and hostility but ignored austerity, affordable housing, crumbling infrastructure, a collapsing health service or job security.

So, what political forces are there left in Britain to day that can defend workers’ rights, educate and enthuse the masses for something better? The Labour party has for the last century been the main political party for workers in Britain, forming an essential component of the labour movement. Sadly, it has always been dominated by its right-wing with affinity to social democracy. It has a long history of betrayal. Ramsay Macdonald, the first Labour prime minister, started progressively by recognising the Soviet Union shortly after Lenin’s death and by opposing imperialist wars, but was to later betray the party by forming a National Government with the Conservatives. The tremendous social progress made immediately following the Second World War was implemented only because of the pressure of the people who demanded change. Sadly, the party has gone downhill since those halcyon times. With the abandonment of Clause Four and the establishment of New Labour the Labour Party abandoned any pretence of socialism.

We have always gritted our teeth and supported Labour because of its link to the trade unions. Today we face unprecedented changes that may forge new alliances in a totally different political land scape. If they can get their act together, Your Party may play an important role for the left in Britain but will be limited in what it can achieve if it becomes just another hopeless social-democratic institution. Keir Starmer is on the way out but will his successor be any different? I very much doubt it. One thing becomes immediately obvious. The urgent need is to build unity among all progressive forces to put forward the case for socialism. This is where a vanguard party such as the New Communist Party of Britain has an important role to play. We must grow to be more effective in motivation of the working class. Don’t delay, join us today and help put Britain on the road to socialism.