Speech on the Question of the Relations Between Workers and Intellectuals in Social-Democratic Organisations. April 20 (May 3)
Речь по вопросу об отношениях рабочих и интеллигентов в с.-д. организациях. 20 апреля (3 мая)
Date: 1905
Source: PSS vol 10
Translated by: AI (Claude)

Comrade Sergeyev maintained here that the elective principle would not give greater awareness. This is not true. If the elective principle were applied in practice, it would undoubtedly give greater awareness. Further, it was pointed out that intellectuals usually stood at the head of splits. This observation is very important, but it does not settle the question. I have long advised in my published writings that workers should be brought into the committees in the greatest possible numbers. The period after the Second Congress is characterised by insufficient fulfilment of this duty -- such was the impression I gained from conversations with practical workers. If in Saratov only one worker was brought into the committee, it means they did not know how to choose suitable people from among the workers. Undoubtedly, this was also conditioned by the split within the party: the struggle over the holding of committees had a harmful effect on practical work. That is precisely why we did everything possible to hasten the convening of the congress.

The task of the future centre is to reorganise a considerable number of our committees. It is necessary to overcome the inertia of the committeemen. (Applause and hissing.)

I hear Comrade Sergeyev hissing, and not the committeemen applauding. I think the matter must be looked at more broadly. Bringing workers into the committees is not only a pedagogical but also a political task. Workers have a class instinct, and with a little political experience workers fairly quickly become consistent Social-Democrats. I would very much welcome a composition of our committees in which for every 2 intellectuals there would be 8 workers. If the advice expressed in the literature -- to bring workers into the committees as far as possible -- has proved insufficient, then it would be expedient for such advice to be expressed in the name of the congress. If you have a clear and definite directive of the congress, then you will have a radical means for combating demagogy: here is the clear will of the congress.