Lenin CW-Vol. 23.pdf - From Marx to Mao

118V. I. LENINman who is capable of obtaining sizable sops for docileworkers in the shape of social reforms (insurance, etc.),Lloyd George serves the bourgeoisie splendidly,* andserves it precisely among the workers, brings its influenceprecisely to the proletariat, to where the bourgeoisie needsit most and where it finds it most difficult to subject themasses morally.And is there such a great difference between LloydGeorge and the Scheidemanns, Legiens, Hendersons andHyndmans, Plekhanovs, Renaudels and Co.? Of thelatter, it may be objected, some will return to the revolutionarysocialism of Marx. This is possible, but it is aninsignificant difference in degree, if the question is regardedfrom its political, i.e., its mass aspect. Certain individualsamong the present social-chauvinist leaders may return tothe proletariat. But the social-chauvinist or (what is thesame thing) opportunist trend can neither disappear nor“return” to the revolutionary proletariat. Wherever Marxismis popular among the workers, this political trend,this “bourgeois labour party”, will swear by the name ofMarx. It cannot be prohibited from doing this, just asa trading firm cannot be prohibited from using any particularlabel, sign or advertisement. It has always been thecase in history that after the death of revolutionary leaderswho were popular among the oppressed classes, their enemieshave attempted to appropriate their names so as todeceive the oppressed classes.The fact is that “bourgeois labour parties”, as a politicalphenomenon, have already been formed in all theforemost capitalist countries, and that unless a determinedand relentless struggle is waged all along the line againstthese parties—or groups, trends, etc., it is all the same—there can be no question of a struggle against imperialism,or of Marxism, or of a socialist labour movement. TheChkheidze faction, 58 Nashe Dyelo and Golos Truda 59 inRussia, and the O.C. supporters abroad are nothing but* I recently read an article in an English magazine by a Tory,a political opponent of Lloyd George, entitled “Lloyd George from theStandpoint of a Tory”. The war opened the eyes of this opponent andmade him realise what an excellent servant of the bourgeoisie thisLloyd George is! The Tories have made peace with him!