Date: 1916-12
Source: ru:LS/v17

Source: LS vol XVII
Notes: Includes plan, fragments, final text

LENIN’S COLLECTION
_______________ /______ “Theses for the Discussion on the Tasks of the Left Zimmerwaldists within the Swiss Social Democratic Party” were apparently drafted as a preparatory outline—or perhaps as a series of outlines—for Lenin’s lectures on the situation within the Swiss Social Democratic Party. The first item in Document “#” suggests that these theses were primarily intended for Russian members of the Swiss Social Democratic Party, or for Russian Social Democratic émigrés more broadly. In terms of content, the theses undoubtedly bear a strong resemblance to the “Theses on the Swiss Social Democratic Party’s Position on the Question of War” (cf. documents on p. 84) and to the “Tasks of the Left Zimmerwaldists within the Swiss Social Democratic Party” (cf. the document on p. 104).

* THESIS FOR DISCUSSION ON THE TASKS OF THE LEFT ZIMMERWALDISTS WITHIN THE SWISS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
DECEMBER 1916
a.
* THESIS OUTLINE.
1. Introduction (Anmassung?)
2. Federal Financial Reform...
The Connection with “Revolutionary Mass Struggles.”
Reform versus Revolution.
Struggle Against Rising Prices.
(a) For Indirect Taxes (b) Is the Stamp Tax Not a Burden??
(c) Three Theses “for Social Purposes”??
(d) Further Deterioration (e) Reactionary versus Progressive Bourgeoisie
(f) Who Represents Socialism?
Political Bargaining: Liberal Resolutions and Speeches

From the word “Zusammenhang” (“connection”) to the word “Teuerung” (“price increases”), the text is written in pencil. /V.

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

Documents “b” and “b” were composed immediately following an excerpt from the “Griitlianer” (see p. 30); Document “a” was penned on a sheet of postcard-sized paper inserted into the same notebook. Together with the four documents pertaining to the “Tasks of the Left Zimmerwaldists within the Swiss Social Democratic Party,” the contents of this notebook are published in the present collection (see pp. 24–50, 54, and below 90–98), with the exception of two of Lenin’s notes: (1) on the issue of indirect taxes and (2) on E. Wulshlegger’s book “On the Question of Equal Rights for Foreign Workers,” as well as the statistical data concerning Switzerland.

a.
* THESIS OUTLINE.
1. Introduction (Audacity?)
2. Federal Financial Reform...
The Link with “Revolutionary Mass Struggle.”
Reform or Revolution.
The Fight Against Price Increases.
(a) For Indirect Taxes.
(b) Does the Stamp Tax Not Impose a Burden??
(c) Three Theses “For Social Purposes”??
|| Greater or Lesser Deterioration
| | Reactionary vs. Progressive Bourgeoisie—A Comparison with the Progressive
|| Who Represents Socialism?!
Political Deals: Liberalist Resolutions and Speeches

Assessment:
- “Frankfurter Zeitung”
- “Neue Züricher Zeitung”
- “Luzerner Tagblatt”
- [Wettstein?]
- Discussion in “Basler Vorwärts”.............
3. Revolutionary Propaganda Against Price Increases.
i
j
“Utopian”?
J 1
 
(a) And National Defense?
i
(b) Only “Russian”?
j:
\i /
!
(c) Holland. (Program).1
|
(d) America
!
(e) Objective Conditions?
<j
| Revolutionary Sentiment.
|
- “Revolution” (Griitliane).
4. Griutliverein . . .. j
The Military Question...
Grimm’s Theses.............
- Name
- Grimm’s Theory “In General.”2
- Incorrect.......
- Bourgeois-Pacifist:.3
- In Practice?
- “Under the Condition” ? ? 4
- Independent Theses of the Left.
5. Grutliverein:
- O. Lang: (“We Were Correct”)3 Frankfurter Zeitung
- Greulich.”
6. Trade Unions,
- Metalworkers’ Newspaper. I. H. -(- E. Th.
- Grimm’s Theses, § 9.8
7. Practically *
- Platform
- Too Fast?
- Speakers
- Publishing House
- Association
$

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

Assessment:
- “Frankfurter Zeitung”
- “Neue Züricher Zeitung”
- “Luzerner Tageblatt.”
- [Wettstein?]
- Discussion in “Basler Vorwärts”..........
3. Revolutionary Propaganda Against Price Increases.
j
“Utopian”?
(a) And National Defense?
(b) Only “Russian”?
(c) Holland. (Program).1 (d) America
- Grimm’s Theory “In General.”2
- Incorrect.......
- Bourgeois-Pacifist. 3
- In Practice?
- “Under the Condition” ? ? 1
- Independent Theses of the Left.
- The Griutlian League
- O. Lang: (“We Were Correct”)3 Frankfurter Zeitung
- Greulich.7
- Trade Unions.
- Metalworkers’ Newspaper. I. g. + e. t.
- Grimm’s Theses, § 9.8
- Practically?
- Too Fast?
- [Liebknecht]

O.
* FRAGMENT OF THE THESIS.
1. (Introduction)
Actually Intended for Russians.
For Discussion. Not a Completed Draft, but Rather a Suggestion for Debate.
2. Financial Reform.
Social Democracy in Favor of Indirect Taxes?

* THESIS FOR DISCUSSION ON THE TASKS OF THE LEFT ZIMMERWALDISTS WITHIN THE SWISS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
I.
1. Introduction.
Actually Intended for Russian Social Democrats—Members of the Swiss Party.
Discussion from an International Perspective (Simmel)
A Suggestion for Debate
II.
2. Financial Reform.
3. In Favor of Indirect Taxes?
4. Should the Stamp Tax “Not Burden the Masses”?
5. “For Social Purposes”—Three Theses?
6. Major Deterioration Versus Minor Deterioration.
7. Reactionary Bourgeoisie Compared to Progressive Bourgeoisie
8. Who Represents Socialism?
9. A Political Bargain (Concealed)
- Liberal Left-Wing Leaflets—Young Radicals
10. Bourgeois Press. “Frankfurter Zeitung.”
- “Neue Züricher Zeitung.”
- “Luzerner Tageblatt.”
- (Wettstein?)
11. Discussion in “Basler Vorwärts.”

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

o.
• FRAGMENT OF THE THESIS.
1. (Introduction)
Primarily for Russians.
For Expression. Not a Ready-Made Draft, but Rather a Catalyst for Discussion.
2. Financial Reform.
Social Democracy in Favor of Indirect Taxes?

* THESIS FOR DISCUSSION ON THE TASKS OF THE LEFT ZIMMERWALDISTS WITHIN THE SWISS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
I.
1. Introduction.
Primarily for Russian Social Democrats—Members of the Swiss Party.
Discussion from an International Perspective (Simmel)
To Spark Debate
II.
2. Financial Reform.
3. In Favor of Indirect Taxes?
4. Should the Stamp Tax “Not Weigh Down the Masses”?
5. “For Social Purposes”—Three Theses?
6. Significant Deterioration Compared to Minor Deterioration.
7. Reactionary Bourgeoisie Compared to Progressive Bourgeoisie.
8. Who Represents Socialism?
9. Political Deals (Disguised)
- Liberal Left Wing—Young Radicals
10. Bourgeois Press. “Frankfurter Zeitung.”
- “Neue Züricher Zeitung.”
- “Luzerner Tageblatt.”
- (Wettstein?)
11. Discussion in “Basler Vorwärts.”

III. 12. Direct Taxes? Versus the Fight Against Price Increases.
13. Expropriation of Large Enterprises and High-Income Earners. (Illustrative.)
14. Utopian?
15. And—Rejection of National Defense?
16. Only “Russian”?
17. Holland.
18. America.
19. “Revolutionary Mass Struggles” for What?
20. Objective Conditions. The “Griitlianer” Threatens Revolution.
IV. 21. The Military Question.
22. Grimm’s Theses Are Unsatisfactory—and All Doors Remain Open (Once Again, for the Griutlians).
23. “In General”
24. Bourgeois Pacifism? Only Bourgeois?
25. For Switzerland—International? ? 10
26. “Under the Condition” ?
27. A Clear and Precise Answer—Still Missing
28. The “Griutlians” on Grimm’s Theses.11
29. Independent (Theses) of the Left. Draft.
V. 30. The Griutlian League.
31. O. Lang: “We Were Correct.”
32. A Principled Struggle.
33. “Frankfurter Zeitung” on the “Griutlian League.”
34. Greulich on This, 26 September 1916.
35. Educating the Masses? “In General,” Only Against Social Patriotism.
36. The Fortresses and Methods of the Griutlian League.
VI. 37. Internationalism in Switzerland.
38. The Guilbeaux Case.
VII. 39. Trade Unions.
40. Neutral or Partisan?
41. The Scarecrow of Division.
* Written in Pencil. Ed.

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

III. 12. Direct Taxes? Instead of Fighting Against Price Increases.
13. Expropriation of Large Factories and High-Income Earners. (Illustrative.)
14. Utopian?
15. And—Rejection of National Defense?
16. Only “Russian”?
17. Holland.
18. America.
19. “Revolutionary Mass Struggle” for What?
20. Objective Conditions. The “Griitlianer” Threatens Revolution.
IV. 21. The Military Question.
22. Grimm’s Theses Are Unsatisfactory—and All Entrances and Exits Remain Open (Once Again, for the Griutlians).
23. “In General”
24. Bourgeois Pacifism? Only Bourgeois?
25. For Switzerland—International? ? 10
26. “Under the Condition” ?
27. A Clear and Precise Answer—Still Missing
28. The “Griitlianer” on Grimm’s Theses. 11
29. Independent (Theses) of the Left. Draft.
V. 30. The Griutlian League.
31. O. Lang: “We Were Correct.”
32. A Principled Struggle.
33. “Frankfurter Zeitung” on the “Griutlian League.”
34. Greulich on This, 29 June 1916.
35. Educating the Masses? “In General,” Only Against Social Patriotism.
36. The Fortresses and Methods of the Griutlian League.
VI. 37. Internationalism in Switzerland.
38. The Guilbeaux Case.
VII. 39. Trade Unions.
40. Neutral or Partisan?
41. The Scarecrow of Division.
* Lenin’s Collection, Volume XVII

42. Already Now, a Struggle Between Different Tendencies.
43. Discussion in the “Metall-Arbeiter Zeitung.”
44. Grimm’s Theses, § 9 at the End.
VIII. 45. Practical Steps?
46. Everything?----Platform
- Speakers
- Association (cf. in...* Mandl)
- Publishing House.
47. Only the Swiss Themselves Can Decide and Judge on This. It Is Only a Suggestion for Discussion.
48. Too Early?
- cf. Liebknecht. What Is His Greatness?
1 We are referring to the program of action proposed by the Dutch Left and published in No. 3 of the “Bulletin of the I.S.K.” dated February 29, 1916.
2 We are referring to the second and third points of Grimm’s theses on the military question (see p. 45), where Grimm discusses the imperialist character of bourgeois governments—not only of the great powers, but of small nations as well—but does not emphasize the specific connection between the Swiss government and the imperialist bourgeoisie.
3 We are referring to the sixth point of Grimm’s theses, where he criticizes bourgeois pacifism, yet says nothing about social-pacifism (see p. 49).
4 We are referring to the ninth point of Grimm’s theses (see p. 51), where he conditions the revolutionary uprising of Swiss workers against war on the simultaneous mobilization of the proletariat in all warring countries.
5 In his report on the Social Democratic Party’s relationship with the Griutlian League, O. Lang sought to demonstrate at the Zurich Party Congress (November 4–5, 1916) that the party leadership had pursued a “correct” line toward the Griutlians. For more details, see p. 37, note 7.
6 We are referring to correspondence published in the German bourgeois newspaper “Frankfurter Zeitung” on November 9, 1916, regarding the Zurich Party Congress of the Swiss Social Democratic Party, held November 5–6, 1916. The author expresses hope that the Griutlians will one day be able to return to the fold of the Swiss Social Democratic Party and continue to exert their beneficial influence. For more details, see p. 25.
7 We are referring to Greulich’s open letter dated September 26, 1916, published in the “Griitlianer” newspaper on October 8, 1916. In the letter, Greulich reproaches the Griutlians for failing to support him in his struggle against the radical wing of the party. For more details, see p. 25.
* The word remains unanalyzed. Ed.

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

42. Already Now, a Struggle Between Different Tendencies.
43. Discussion in the “Metallarbeiter Zeitung.”
44. Grimm’s Theses, § 9 at the End.
VIII. 45. Practical Steps?
46. Everything?----Platform
- Speakers
- Association (cf. in...* Mandl
- Publishing House.
47. Only the Swiss Themselves Can Decide and Judge on This. It Is Only a Suggestion for Discussion.
48. Too Fast?
- cf. Liebknecht. What Is His Greatness?
* MATERIALS FOR THE THESIS: “TASKS OF THE LEFT ZIMMERWALDISTS WITHIN THE SWISS SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.”
DECEMBER 1916
The four documents printed below constitute the materials underlying the “Tasks of the Left Zimmerwaldists within the Swiss Social Democratic Party” (see Collected Works, Vol. XIX, pp. 355–342).
The draft itself (Document “a”) was written in ink, in two columns, on the last page of the notebook, immediately following the entry “Grimm’s Theses.” Additional Notes