The Bogdanov Issue

My essay [The Russian Review, July 1990] was an attempt to explain the Vperedist split, led by Bogdanov, from the Bolshevik faction of the RSDLP. In contrast to earlier interpretations, I tried to show that Bogdanov did not part from Lenin over their differences of philosophy, orthodox Plekhanovist materialism versus Mach's empiriocriticism. Nor did they separate because Bogdanov dissented from the Bolsheviks' decision to participate in the Duma, although it is true that Bogdanov and Lenin did assess that participation differently. I argued, instead, what they split over was their general political approach or outlook: specifically, over Bogdanov's desire to have the Bolsheviks place their emphasis on pedagogical/propagandistic tasks. That did cause them to differ not only on how to assess participation in the Duma, but much more generally on the value of the Bolsheviks' day-to-day work in connection with the workers' mundane practical activities, where they were at. My concern with the Bolshevik-Vperedist split is part of a broader effort to understand Bogdanov's ideas in relation to those of Lenin. My methodological point of departure is that the ideas of these men, and the several generations of intellectuals of which they are a part, are best grasped in relationship to their political practice. This is because they were not concerned to solve intellectual problems qua intellectual problems. They were, above all, concerned with the Russian workers' movement and helping that movement to develop fruitfully, and their ideas, however theoretical and complex, were shaped for this end. Specifically, their ideas were aimed at party-political organizations through which their connection with the workers' movement was mediated. I do not deny that one can ask other questions about the ideas of these men; but, do assert that an absolutely indispensable way to understand them-to be able to say in what ways they are similar, in what ways they differ, what distinctions are important-is by way of a detailed account of the interrelationships of their ideas to their political interventions-political interventions such as led up to, brought about, and resulted from the Vperedist-Bolshevik split. I believe some of my central differences with my critics can be

Economics · Law and economics · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · Philosophy · Philosophy, History, and Historiography