C. L. R. James (1901–1989), a Trinidadian historian, political activist, and writer, is the author of
Christian Høgsbjerg is a historian and works for Leeds University Centre for African Studies. He is the author of
C. L. R. James (1901–1989), a Trinidadian historian, political activist, and writer, is the author of
Christian Høgsbjerg is a historian and works for Leeds University Centre for African Studies. He is the author of
The Platform and the Five-Year Plan
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Published:July 2017
This chapter examines the attempts by the Left Opposition around Leon Trotsky in 1927 to put forward a wholescale critique of the Stalinist bureaucracy and its political program, which was strengthening class forces like the small capitalist farmer, small capitalist traders, and the party bureaucracy instead of the working class in this “workers’ state.” Stalin suppressed the Platform from publication for a period, then expelled the Left Opposition and forced Trotsky himself. Yet Stalin did this while taking on board much of the program and suggestions advocated by the Left Opposition, including industrialization and state planning, further throwing his opponents into confusion.
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