Socialism

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“(Un)Real Socialism”

This book, co-authored with my best friend, the late Jerzy Drygalski (1948–2018), is one of the most significant global theoretical analyses of communism, from its Marxist ideological roots to the structural principles governing Soviet-type states. It sparked extensive debate both in Poland and in Western sovietology circles.

Originally published in 1986 by an underground press, the book was republished by the Polish Scientific Publishers (PWN) after the fall of communism in 1992. Excerpts have appeared in numerous European publications, as well as in the USA and Canada. Between 2012 and 2014, the book was downloaded from my website 27,882 times.

The book’s second part explores the functioning of real socialism, using communist Poland as a case study. Chapters IV–VII examine how local authorities, mass media, and the communist party operated within the structural framework of real socialist states. For more on the theory, see Harmonious Society Versus Conflict-Ridden Society under Other Texts on this website. Additionally, our article No Choice Elections (also under Other Texts) examines the evolution of the electoral system in communist countries, with Poland as an example.

This work remains a key contribution to understanding the communist phenomenon and the mechanisms that sustained Soviet-type regimes.

All your remarks and comments are welcome.

My e-mail address: adres-mail-gmail-9520

Abstract: Marx believed that after the overthrow of capitalism, the world would return to a state of natural harmony. The vision of eliminating conflicts through the abolition of social classes dominated the thinking of subsequent generations of the left. When building their new state, the Bolsheviks were as pragmatic as they were doctrinaire. Believing themselves to be the custodians of the truth about inevitable unity, they combated any lack of it as hostile action.

They created a system that was simultaneously utopian—designed for mythical harmony—and practical, as it supported the utopia of unity by blocking free articulation and eliminating enemies. A state emerged based on the assumption of unified interests, which never actually existed. The survival of this system depended on the continuous suppression of the free articulation of interests, which posed a direct threat to communism. This was evident on numerous occasions: whenever the suppression weakened, the system began to falter.

Half of the book (Part II) is devoted to Poland and provides a detailed account of the methods communists used to suppress articulation in local councils, the press, and even within the party itself.

 

(Un) Real Socialism  full text   (in Polish)

(Un) Real Socialism  part II   (in Polish, chapters IV – VII on Poland)

Contents (translated from Polish, links here are to Polish original text)

Chapter I ­Marx and the Idea of Communism: Harmonious Community of Producers
  1. The Roots of Marxian Concept of Communism – Synthesis of Hegelian and the Utopian Socialists’ Threads
  2. Assumptions of Marxian Vision of Communism
  3. The Communist Society, Economy and Control
  4. The Orthodox Interpretation of the Vision of Communism (Second International)
Chapter II Lenin’s Version of Communism
  1. Russian Roots of Leninism
  2. Lenin and Marx on Communism: the Comparison
  3. The Core of Lenin’s Vision: the Superior Position of the Communist Party
  4. Principles of Communist Party Organization
  5. Lenin’s Idea of Communist Party As a Transmitter of Proletariat Interest to Delegates Councils and Other Workers’ Organizations
  6. Superior Position of the Communist Party and Russian tradition of nihilism and maximalism
  7. “Russia the Weakest Link in Capitalist Chain”
  8. Conclusions
  9. Annex: Lenin’s Program of Gradual Steps to Socialism
Chapter III The Ideological Roots of Soviet State
  1. Soviet State Evolution: Stages
  2. First Stage: State of Paris Commune Type
  3. Second Stage: Towards Monoparty Political System
  4. Leap to the Future: the War Communism Economy
  5. Third Stage: Setting-Up the Monolithic Party
  6. Thirties: Revolution from Above
  7. Stalinist Version of Marxism
Chapter IV The Principles of the Communist System: Unity of Interests and the Suppression of Free Articulation
  1. Communist State Building Principle: Society As Homogeneous Community
  2. Democratic Institutions and the Unity of Interests: Non-compatibility
  3. Liberal Democracy: Immersed in Conflicts
  4. Socialist Democracy: Full Harmony, No Conflicts
  5. Superior Position of Communist Party
  6. Suppression of Free Articulation As a Precondition of Communist System Survival
  7. Unity of Interests Principle and the Theory of Totalitarian State
  8. Annex: Why Democratic Institutions Survived?
Chapter V Local Authorities: Quasi Representation, No Power
  1. Formal Powers and the Suppression of Free Articulation
  2. Suppression of Free Articulation Through the Channel of Central Control (Content Imposing)
  3. Suppression of Free Articulation Through the Channel of Local Control (Staff Selection)
Chapter VI Loudly Silent Mass Media: the Press in Communist Poland
  1. Introductory Remark
  2. History of Setting-Up Communist Party Publishing Monopoly
  3. Communist Party Control Over the Press Editorial Teams
  4. Mechanism of Party Direct Imposing of Press Content
  5. Censorship
  6. Fabrication of Reality: Pinciples and Technics How to Make the Proper Image of Everything
  7. Concluding Remarks
Chapter VII The Communist Party: Puppets and Helmsmen
  1. Statute of Polish Communist Party: the Evolution, Principles, and Paradoxes
  2. Communist Party To the Outer World: Principle of One Face and One Voice
  3. Suppression of Free Articulation Within the Party: the Evolution and Technics
  4. Vested Interests of the Inner Party Members