N.A. ROZHKOV’S LIQUIDATIONISM, THE POLITICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING CLASS AND NASHA ZARIA 1911-1912

The term “liquidationism” was used by V.I. Lenin as a term of abuse for those who challenged his views especially during the years of so-called Stolypin reaction. Despite its significance, this term has received very little attention. This article attempts to address this gap in our knowledge by examining how Lenin used it against N.A.Rozhkov, the individual who, in the Bolshevik leader’s mind, did more than anyone else to raise concern over the meaning of the term. The subsequent polemic that ensued between Lenin and Rozhkov drew the attention of other key political figures including A. Martynov and lu. Martov. The conflicting ideas and viewpoints that emerged from this acrimonious debate were published in the Menshevik journal entitled Nasha Zaria (Our Dawn) and these discourses are scrutinised for the first time. This article attempts to show that Rozhkov was an independent thinker who could not be easily pigeonholed and who offered a viable political alternative to disillusioned social democrats. It also draws the conclusion that by 1912 leading Mensheviks were already so varied in their thinking they were unable to provide a fundamental critique of either Lenin’s views on liquidationism or Rozhkov’s call for a legal organisation that he believed ultimately would help bring down the Tsarist regime.

Н.А. Рожков, ликвидаторство, Наша Заря, А. Мартынов, Ю. Мартов, политическая ассоциация, меньшевизм, Ленин, социал-демократия, N.A. Rozhkov, liquidationism, Nasha Zaria, A.Martynov, lu.Martov, political association, Menshevism, Lenin, social democracy

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