Revisionism, Dissidence, Nationalism - Opposition in Leninist Regimes

Abstract

This article discusses some characteristics of opposition movements in Leninist regimes. The first part develops the concept of Leninist regime. Linking assumptions of totalitarianism and modernization theory, I point at the fundamental dilemma of Leninism as a political form of modern society: the maintenance of charismatic self-definition and monocratic control in an increasingly differentiated and pluralistic society. The second part explicates the meaning of opposition in Leninist regimes, and develops a typology of opposition movements (revisionism, dissidence, nationalism). The purpose of this analysis is to clarify the logic of social movements in Leninist regimes, and it may be considered a prolegomenon to further empirical work.