Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 3 - From Marx to Mao

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
In the work here presented, the author has set himself
the aim of examining the question of how a home market
is being formed for Russian capitalism. As we know, this
question was raised long ago by the principal exponents
of Narodnik views (chief among them being Messrs. V. V.
and N.—on 2 ), and it will be our task to criticise these views.
We have not considered it possible to limit ourselves in
this criticism to examining the mistakes and misconceptions
in our opponents’ views; in answering the question raised it
seemed to us that it was not enough to adduce facts showing
the formation and growth of a home market, for the objection
might be raised that such facts had been selected
arbitrarily and that facts showing the contrary had been
omitted. It seemed to us that it was necessary to examine
the whole process of the development of capitalism in
Russia, to endeavour to depict it in its entirety. It goes
without saying that such an extensive task would be beyond
the powers of a single person, were a number of limitations
not introduced. Firstly, as the title itself shows, we treat
the problem of the development of capitalism in Russia
exclusively from the standpoint of the home market, leaving
aside the problem of the foreign market and data on foreign
trade. Secondly, we limit ourselves purely to the post-Reform
period. Thirdly, we deal mainly and almost exclusively
with data concerning the interior, purely Russian, gubernias.
Fourthly, we limit ourselves exclusively to the economic
aspect of the process. But even with all the limitations
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