Not sure if this will help or cause havoc, but what the hell: it's only arguing theory, right?
>From the Marxist Internet Archive:
Vanguard Opposite of Mass.
In any social movement there is a vanguard and a mass. On one side, the vanguard, are groups of people who are more resolute and committed, better organised and able to take a leading role in the struggle, and on the other side, the mass, are larger numbers of people who participate in the struggle or are involved simply by their social position, but are less committed or well-placed in relation to the struggle, and will participate only in the decisive moments, which in fact change history.
The Marxist theory of the vanguard, in relation to class struggle under capitalism, stipulates that the working class, the mass, needs to be militantly lead through revolutionary struggle against capitalism and in the building of Socialism. The Communist vanguard is theoretically made up of the forefront of workers who are engaged in direct struggles against the capitalist state, and who occupy an advanced position in constructively and creatively building the socalist movement.
1. History of the Marxist Vanguard: Among the early world-reknown implementations of the Marxist vanguard came about in the Russian Revolution, in the form of the the Bolshevik party. Shortly before the revolution, the Bolsheviks made their position clear: "All power to the Soviets". Since the soviets were progressive representatives of the Russian masses, the Boslheviks knew the Soviets would follow the Socialist path. In short course however, after the onset of the civil war, the Soviets were suppressed by both the Red and White Armies — their diversity was such that, at times they sympathised with either side.
>From this came the Stalinist conception of the vanguard, where the party
acts as the sole power in Socialist society — any deviations from this path
in the Soviets wouldn't be tolerated. This was justified practically by the
need to defend workers against the imperialist armies, and the belief that
educated, political leaders were needed to build socialism correctly, and
not give into some of the "mistaken" views of the masses. Theoretically this
totalitarinism was justified on the philosophical premise of objective
truth; that the party is in sole possesion of the path towards "socialism",
and thus is the ultimate leader of the working class. Since this vanguard
believes it has sole claim to advancing the interests of the working class,
anyone who opposes their methods is an enemy of the working class — up to
and including workers, soviets, etc — and is thus suppressed.
I'll send the one on Marxism-Leninism next (unless Yoshie beats me to it !{)> )
Todd
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