Vanguard & Mass In any social movement there is a vanguard and a mass; these two concepts are meaningless outside of the movement of which they are integral parts, mutually constituted by their relation in development of the movement. The vanguard are groups of people who are more resolute and committed, better organised and able to take a leading role in the struggle, and on the other side.The mass, are larger numbers of people who participate in the struggle or are involved simply by their social position, but are less committed or well-placed in relation to the struggle, and will participate only in the decisive moments, which in fact change history. There is a continual movement and exchange between vanguard and mass.The Marxist theory of the vanguard, in relation to class struggle under capitalism, holds that the working class (the mass) needs to be militantly lead through revolutionary struggle against capitalism and in the building of Socialism. The Communist vanguard is made up of those who are in the forefront of workers struggle, engaged in struggles against the capitalist state and the management of the firms which are “branches” of the ruling class. History of the Marxist Vanguard: An early archetypal implementation of the Marxist vanguard was formed in the Russian Revolution, namely, the Bolshevik party. Shortly before the revolution, the Bolsheviks made their position clear: All power to the Soviets. Since the soviets were progressive representatives of the Russian masses, the Bolsheviks knew the Soviets would follow the Socialist path. In short course however, after the onset of the civil war, the Soviets were suppressed by both the Red and White Armies – their diversity was such that, at times they sympathised with either side.From this came the Stalinist conception of the vanguard, where the party acts as the sole power in Socialist society – rather than arising out of the mass and leading it, the vanguard would administer the mass. This was justified practically by the need to defend workers against the imperialist armies, and the belief that educated, political leaders were needed to build socialism.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 23:04:06 +0000
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