isaac-deutscher-the-prophet-armed-trotsky-1879-1921

THE PROPHET ARMED
themselves be unable 'to squeeze out the workers', 1 a conflict
between the two classes was looming ahead, a conflict in
which the proletariat might forfeit the position of acknowledged
leader of the .nation. As long as the revolution was engaged in
breaking the rule and the power of the landlord, it would have
the entire peasantry on its side. But after that-'two major
features of the proletarian policy, its collectivism and its internationalism,
would meet with [the peasants'] opposition'. 2 Thus,
in spite of its initial strength the new regime would discover its
weakness as soon a~ it had carried the revolution, in the country
as well as in town, from the bourgeois to the socialist phase. It
would then be compelled to seek salvation in international
revolution. Russia's industrial poverty and backwardness would
anyhow prove formidable obstacles to the building of a Socialist
economy; and only with the help of the Socialist West could
these obstacles be broken and removed. Finally, the hostility ofa
Conservative Europe would force the Russian revolution to
carry the struggle beyond Russia's frontiers.
W'ithout the direct state support of the European proletariat, the
working class of Russia will not be able to remain in power and
. transform its temporary rule into a stable and prolonged socialist
dictatorship .... J
This will from the very outset impart an international character
to the development of the events and open the broadest perspectives:
the working class ef Russia, by leading in the political emancipation u·ill
rise to a height unknown in history, gather into its hands colossal forces and
means and become the initiator qf the liquidation ef capitalism on a global
scale . ... 4
If the Russian proletariat, having temporarily gained power,
does not carry the revolution of its own initiative on to the ground of
Europe, then the feudal and bourgeois reaction will force it to do so.s
It will be precisely the fear of the proletarian rising which will
force the bourgeois parties, voting prodigious sums for military
expenditure, solemnly to demonstrate for peace, to dream of international
chambers of conciliation and even of the organization of
the United States of Europe-all miserable declamation, which can
neither do away with the antagonism of the po\\'crs, nor with armed
conflicts .... European war inevitably means European revolution.I•
1
L. Trotsky, ltogi i Persptklicy, p. 42.
' Ibid., p. 71.
' Ibid., p. 74.
2
Ibid., p. 46.
• Ibid., p. 73 (Trotsky's italics).
6 Ibid., p. 77.