Lenin and the Great Awakening

Abstract

What Is to Be Done? Central to the outlook expressed in this book is the idea that the masses are spontaneously awakening to the socialist message. Unfortunately, this central image is not only overlooked but denied, thanks to misinterpretation of some of Lenin's polemical phrases. Later on I shall present some of the eloquent passages in which Lenin evokes the great awakening of the workers.I also chose this title because of its evangelistic overtones: The Great Awakening is the name commonly given to an important episode of evangelistic revival in eighteenth-century America. I think that if we compare Lenin to an evangelistic revival preacher, we will get a good grasp of what he was up to. I like to set out the contrast between my view of Lenin and the standard view of Lenin by describing two missionaries, both intent on spreading the word of God to the heathen. Both are convinced that there is no salvation outside the word. Both are convinced that the heathen will not receive the word unless it is preached to them. Both are convinced that the correct interpretation of holy writ is necessary for this work: they are quick to denounce heretics. In these respects, I agree with the standard view of Lenin.But the standard view goes on to describe Lenin as a missionary who

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