Note
There is a certain similarity between the path humanity must take to abolish classes and the path it must follow to achieve the later dissolution of nations. Namely: the only way to abolish classes is through the transitional stage of the dictatorship of the oppressed class. Likewise, the only path to the dissolution of nations lies in the genuine liberation of oppressed nations—through the true eradication of national oppression—and the criterion for this reality, in a political sense, resides precisely in the freedom of secession. The freedom of secession is the best and the sole political means of combating the idiotic system of petty states and national isolation, which, thanks to the relentless development of capitalism, is inexorably being shattered for the benefit of humanity.
* Lenin’s insertion is printed in bold type. Ed.
[ 128 ]


TO THE THESES “SOCIALIST REVOLUTION AND THE RIGHT OF NATIONS TO SELF-DETERMINATION”¹
▲PRELIMINARY, 1916. ZKORPH
In
an insertion in the German proofread version of the theses
… With regard to the recognition of the right of nations to self-determination, these provisions—emphasized by us—do not differ in essence from any other; and while this “right” may be formulated in different terms, we certainly do not dispute over words. These provisions merely lend an even greater degree of vagueness and ambiguity to political formulations than most programs and resolutions of the Second International.
Note
There exists a certain parallelism between how humanity must move toward the abolition of classes and how it must proceed toward the eventual fusion of nations. Specifically: the only road to the abolition of classes leads through the transitional phase of the dictatorship of the oppressed class. Similarly, the only path to the fusion of nations is the liberation of oppressed nations—the genuine eradication of national oppression—and the criterion for this political reality lies precisely in the freedom of separation. The freedom of separation is the finest and sole political instrument against the absurd system of small states and national isolation, which, fortunately for humanity, is being relentlessly dismantled by the entire course of capitalist development³.
1 The theses “Socialist Revolution and the Right of Nations to Self-Determination,” originally written in German (“Die sozialistische Revolution und das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Nationen”), were published in the German journal of the Zimmerwald Left, Vorbote, on April 1, 1916. Lenin’s proofreading insertion (printed in bold) was not included in the final printed text [ 

] 

(See Lenin’s Collected Works, Volume XIX, pp. 37–47; compare the text presented here with p. 47.)
2 Lenin refers to the “provisions” of the SPD’s declaration at the Zimmerwald Conference, which was published in the Bulletin of the International Socialist Commission in Bern on November 27, 1915 (in German).
3 See Lenin, Collected Works, Volume XIX, p. 40.


SUMMARY OF THE “THESES ON IMPERIALISM AND NATIONAL OPPRESSION”
“ROBOTNICHESKAYA GAZETA”¹
[Autumn 1916, Zurich]
I (1) Definition of Imperialism (economic)
The alteration of borders—“national state”—is not the only form (it has been)
(in certain conditions—plus the state of nationalities)
colonies and contributions, annexations—these only serve to reinforce national oppression.
(2) (contradicts the interests of the working class)——
(particularly those of oppressed nations)
(revenge)
(3) To energetically combat annexations and national oppression *
(socialism does not need colonies)
to oppose peace based on annexations
21206 (4)
to struggle against the violent retention of state sovereignty
(1) to renounce the defense of the fatherland ___ (2) to denounce ** national oppression
(3) to fight against moral violence directed at national movements
(5) Imperialism cannot be transformed in accordance with the interests of the working class; nor can imperialism be freed from national oppression
* to fight vigorously. Ed.
** to expose. Ed.
[

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only socialism… 6 The struggle must be revolutionary.
and in socialism, no self- or mutual-determination *
no imposition, no coercion **
II.
1) Under capitalism, there can be no true freedom
2) Self-determination
implies a classless society ***
national distinctiveness presupposes ****
a utopia
3) A program must not contain utopian elements
it awakens unfulfillable hopes regarding capitalism’s capacity to adapt ***** national reformism ******
we need…
a clearer socialism, untainted by anything else *******.
A) We must not cling to these so‑called “rights”...............
they are but remnants of petty-bourgeois democratic ideology. ...
1 The summary was prepared by Lenin based on the text of the Zimmerwald Left’s journal, Vorbote, No. 2, April 1916 (“Theses on Imperialism and National Oppression”). See the article “The Results of the Debate on Self-Determination” (Collected Works, Volume XIX, pp. 239–272).
* not self-determination, but co-determination. Ed.
** no postponements, no false promises. Ed.
*** a classless society. Ed.
’ *** presupposes the distinctiveness of the nation. Ed.
***** it fosters unrealistic expectations about capitalism’s ability to adapt. Ed.
“national-reformist.” Ed.
******* a clear, unadulterated socialism. Ed.