The functionaries of our political organizations and trade unions are corrupted - or rather tend to be corrupted--by the conditions of capitalism and betray a tendency to become bureaucrats, i.e., privileged persons divorced from the people and standing above the people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lenin says officials and union functionaries become corrupted by capitalism, turning into bureaucrats detached from the people.
- In plain terms
- Capitalism corrupts officials into detached bureaucrats.
- What can you take from it?
- Capitalism tends to produce privileged bureaucrats alienated from workers.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What safeguards prevent bureaucratic alienation?
- How does capitalism specifically foster corruption?
Another view
Not all officials become corrupt; some remain responsive.
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