The German Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist): Analysis of the Soviet Downfall and Its Proposed Solution
Toby Terrar
Abstract
This article reviews and contextualizes the analysis produced by the former German Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist) [KPD(ML)] regarding the causes of the Soviet Union’s collapse and the prospects for socialism’s future. Motivated by the recent English translation of the collective’s works When and Why Socialism in the Soviet Union Failed and Does Socialism Have a Future?, the study synthesizes the KPD(ML)’s historical-chronological interpretation of Soviet development from the October Revolution through the post-Stalin period. The article outlines the KPD(ML)’s distinctive emphasis on class forces in the pre–World War II era, including its evaluation of the New Economic Policy, collectivization, industrialization, and the tensions inherent in the transitional society between capitalism and communism. It further contrasts the KPD(ML)’s framework with assessments from other communist parties, such as the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. By revisiting the German collective’s theory of socialist transition and its critique of bureaucratization, market relations, and the post-Stalinist trajectory, the article highlights the relevance of these debates for contemporary discussions on socialist construction. Ultimately, the study contributes to ongoing scholarly efforts to reassess the Soviet experience and consider the strategic lessons it offers for future socialist movements.
Keywords
Marxism, KPD(ML), Soviet Union, Stalin, Germany, socialist construction, industrialization, history, revisionism, Marxism–Leninism, Toby Terrar
