The Uses of Error

The collapse of East European socialist states is related to the tragic metamorphosis of post-Enlightenment thought. A particular strand of Marx's and Engels' thought, and Lenin's modification thereof, has provided a justification for the projects initiated by East European states and explains their ultimate downfall. There is a link between Marx and Engels, Lenin and Stalin. Marx and Engels thought they had scientifically discovered the secret of history — a belief Lenin turned into a new historical practice, after adding a few crucial modifications. Stalin did legitimate his policies by appealing to authoritative texts. Soviet-style states were founded on the assumption that they were the absolutely correct, self-conscious subjects of history

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