关键词: 马克思 , 列宁主义 , 俄国民粹派 , “卡夫丁峡谷”

Abstract: With the burgeoning and spread of capitalism throughout the world, there arose the prevalent need in backward Eastern countries for Marxism. Believers in this powerful revolutionary theory in those countries were puzzled as to whether a socialist revolution is unthinkable in a backward country without its first going through the stage of capitalism. Karl Marx, in response to a question raised by Russian populists during his late years, made it clear that Russia could conditionally skip the capitalist “Kafdin Valley.” That was a proclamation meaningful to both Russia and all other backward countries the world over. Lenin creatively applied Marx's thought to his own country and launched a spectacular socialist movement in many areas outside of the capitalist world. Hence the birth of Leninism. The backwardness and Oriental hues of Russia, as well as early capitalism's brutality and cruelness, prompted Lenin to choose Marx's earlier perceptions about socialism, with their emphasis on class conflicts, violent revolution and proletarian dictatorship. This, I insist, exemplifies Lenin's ingenious application of materialist dialectics and can still help our effort today. Many have accused the socialist U.S.S.R., founded and built by Lenin and Stalin, of lacking democracy and thus betraying Marx's early ideas about socialism. Such individuals themselves lack the flexibility of materialist dialectics and are victims of dogmatic thinking methodology.  

Key words: Karl Marx , Leninism , Russian populism , “Kafdin Valley”