The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin. Short summary

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The piece outlines the ideas of Marxism, presenting arguments against various interpretations of the classical texts of Marxism that Lenin believed to be incorrect.

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In the piece, Lenin outlines the ideas of Marxism and argues against misinterpretations of the classical text. He believed that the seizure of power alone was not enough; in addition, there must be a class transformation of the state apparatus.

Lenin disagreed with the «petty-bourgeois» socialists, who believed there could be a compromise between the various classes. In his view, the state is an organ of class domination and a violent organization. In this regard, the state is represented by groups of armed men: the army and the police, the maintenance of which requires taxation of citizens.

The existence of taxes leads to a bureaucratic apparatus, bureaucrats, and bankers. Because of the class nature of the state, it will never be popular or free. The destruction of the state apparatus that parasitizes the body of society can only come about through revolution.