Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 13 - From Marx to Mao

141THE FOURTH CONFERENCE OF THE R.S.D.L.P.(“THIRD ALL-RUSSIAN”) 77FROM A NEWSPAPER REPORT1REPORT ON THE TACTICS OF THE SOCIAL-DEMOCRATICGROUP IN THE THIRD STATE DUMAComrade Lenin proceeded from the premise that theobjective aims of the Russian revolution have not beenachieved and that the period of reaction which has set inimposes upon the proletariat the task of defending the causeof democracy and the cause of the revolution more firmlythan ever in face of the widespread vacillation. Hence theview that the Duma should be used for the purposes of therevolution, should be used mainly for promulgating theParty’s political and socialist views and not for legislative“reforms”, which, in any case, would mean supporting thecounter-revolution and curtailing democracy in every way.In the words of Comrade Lenin, the “crux” of the Dumaquestion must lie in an explanation of the following threepoints: (a) what is the class composition of the Duma?(b) what should be and will be the attitude of the Dumacentres towards the revolution and democracy? (c) whatis the significance of Duma activity for the progress of theRussian revolution?On the first question, on the basis of an analysis of theDuma composition (according to data on the party affiliationsof the deputies), Lenin stressed that the views ofthe famous so-called “opposition” could secure endorsementin the Third Duma only on one condition, that no less than87 Octobrists co-operated with the Cadets and the Left.