Democracy, Politics, and Pluralism of Opinions: Lenin's Lessons

Abstract

The Nineteenth All-Union Party Conference emphasized the enormous role of the democratization of society, of the development of glasnost', which has as its indispensable prerequisites a socialist pluralism of opinions with respect to all questions of domestic and international politics, a free comparison and competition of various points of view, ideas, opinions, and debates. Correct solutions to social problems can be found only if every one of these problems is discussed comprehensively and every pro and con is considered. Naturally, this is possible only by observing openness, non-preconceived views, free creative initiative, criticism, and self-criticism. In sum, as M. S. Gorbachev stated in his report at the Nineteenth All-Union Party Conference, all of this requires a genuine revolution of consciousness 1 [italics mine—author]; without it, it is impossible to activate the intellectual and spiritual potential of society and create a new life.