V. I.

Lenin

NOTES FOR A REPORT “FIVE YEARS OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE WORLD REVOLUTION” AT THE FOURTH CONGRESS OF THE COMINTERN [2]

1. Not a reporter, but only a brief introduction to the
debate (illness, etc.). [3]

2. The theme: has NEP been tested by experience? (The
experience) for or against?

3. The question of “state capitalism” was touched on
already in 1918.

4. Quotation from
pamphlet. [4] Seite 5.

[ BOX:

“State capitalism would be progress.”

]

5. Quotation: “5 elements” of the economy of Russia.

6. Quotation: which element
predominates? [5]

7. What is the plan or idea or essence of NEP ?
(α) Retention of the land in the hands of the state; (β) the same for all commanding heights in the sphere
of means of production ( transport , etc.); (γ) freedom of trade in the sphere of petty production;
(δ) state capitalism in the sense of attracting private capital (both concessions and mixed companies ).

8. The result follows: in 1918 retreat was assured.

9. We have been alone for 5 years; there is as yet no
revolution in any other countries; war and hunger. Shall
we perish?

10. To retreat a little. We retreated. Results ?

11. Spring of
1921 [1]

—to

autumn of 1922. What results?

12. The ruble. Its stabilisation

< 3 months 1921
> 5 months 1922

We are getting back on our feet alone, without help.
(Quadrillion? Yes, but it won’t take long to strike out.)

13. The peasantry? The tax in kind (successful collection;
hundreds of millions).

14. Light industry? General revival.

15. Heavy industry?
Very grave situation.
A turn for the better 1921–22, but very slight.
( Revenue of the State Bank: 20 mln. in gold, possibility of helping. )

16. Summing up: this means success is possible, there
is in fact success.
A system which is not arbitrary, not muddled, practically tested.
We are getting back on our feet alone, without outside help.

17. The difficulties are very great and will continue to be for another few years .
Mass of stupidities. Yes. Untrodden path.
No help, on the contrary.
An alien machinery.

Our stupidities 2x2=5.
“Their” stupidities 2x2=a tallow candle.
1) Kolchak
2) Peace of
Versailles.

}}

18. Therefore
the prospects are excellent.
And will be even better if both we use the next five-year period mainly
for study and the Communist International , since the resolution on organisational structure of
the parties (1921) has not been carried out . [6]
Prospects
...will be even better.

The title:

“ on the organisational structure of the
Communist Parties”

||

“on methods and content of their work ”
Organisatorischer Aufbau der kommunistischen Parteien, Methoden und Inhalt ihrer Arbeit.

Speech at Comintern on Nov. 13, 1922