In inner-party politics, these methods lead, as we shall yet see, to this: the party organization substitutes itself for the party, the central committee substitutes itself for the organization, and, finally, a 'dictator' substitutes himself for the central committee.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Trotsky warns that internal party methods can replace the party with a single dictator.
- In plain terms
- Centralized methods can turn a party into one man's rule.
- What can you take from it?
- Centralization risks turning into dictatorship.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does power concentrate?
- Who checks the leaders?
Another view
It describes a risk that may not happen in every organization.
More from Leon Trotsky
Insurrection is an art, and like all arts has its own laws.
Permalink to quote #23 Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies.
Permalink to quote #25 It was the supreme expression of the mediocrity of the apparatus that Stalin himself rose to his position.
Permalink to quote #22
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