The 'democratisation' of the ownership of shares, from which the bourgeois sophists and opportunist so-called 'Social-Democrats' expect (or say that they expect) the 'democratisation of capital', the strengthening of the role and significance of small scale production, etc., is, in fact, one of the ways of increasing the power of the financial oligarchy.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lenin claims that ‘democratizing’ share ownership actually strengthens financial oligarchy rather than empowering small producers.
- In plain terms
- He argues that spreading share ownership can boost oligarchic power.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware that reforms may unintentionally concentrate wealth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does democratization empower versus empower elites?
- What safeguards can prevent oligarchic growth?
Another view
Not all democratization leads to oligarchic gain; context matters.
More from Vladimir Lenin
The bourgeoisie are today evading taxation by bribery and through their connections; we must close all loopholes.
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