TO THE THESES “THE SOCIALIST REVOLUTION AND THE RIGHT OF NATIONS TO SELF-DETERMINATION”
APRIL 1916. ZURICH

Insertion in the German proof of the theses

... From recognition of the right of nations to self-determination these, underlined by us, positions differ in no way essentially, and if this “right” is formulated in other expressions, then we, of course, do not argue about words. These positions suffer only from even greater vagueness and indeterminateness of political formulations than the majority of the programmes and resolutions of the Second International.

Note

There is a certain similarity between how humanity must arrive at the abolition of classes and how it must arrive at the later merging of nations. Precisely: the abolition of classes is led to only by the transitional stage of the dictatorship of the oppressed class. The merging of nations is led to only by the liberation of oppressed nations, the genuine rooting out of national oppression, and the criterion of this reality in the political sense lies precisely in the freedom of secession. Freedom of secession is the best and only political means against the idiotic system of small states and national isolation, which, to the happiness of humanity, is being irresistibly destroyed by the whole development of capitalism.

OUTLINE OF “THESES ON IMPERIALISM AND NATIONAL OPPRESSION”
FROM “ROBOTNICHAYA GAZETA”
[Autumn 1916. Zurich]

I (1) Definition of imperialism (economic)
Change of borders “National state”. Not the only form (was)
(under certain conditions → state of nationalities)
colonies and indemnities annexations — intensification of national oppression.
(2) (contradicts the interests of the working class)----- (especially of oppressed nations)
(revenge)
(3) against annexations and national oppression (energisch bekämpfen)
(colonies are not needed for socialism)
against peace with annexations (4 )
struggle against the forcible retention of domination consists
(1) refusal to defend the fatherland___ (2) Denunzierung of national oppression
(3) struggle against the moral violence against the national movement
[(5)] imperialism cannot be reshaped according to the interests of the working class
imperialism cannot be rid of national oppression