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In a sense. He formed the type of communism known as Leninism, which can be considered a true form of communism.
Lenin was not a true communist in the sense that the system he imposed in Russia was not communist at all. It was a mix of socialism and capitalism. In addition, he later imposed what was called "war communism" during the civil war and even that was not true communism. Later he imposed his New Economic Policy which permitted small businesses and peasant farms to be operated for personal profit subject to taxation, just as if those businesses and farms were capitalistic. He might have had hopes that a true Marxian communist society would come about, but he was just as oppressive as the Tsars before him were just so that he could keep control over the country.
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CoachNo, Stalin did not practice true communist ideals, but that was to be expected. Neither Lenin not Stalin sought to impose true communism on Russia, primarily because according to Marxist theory, communism could not be imposed on any society. Lenin and Stalin sought from the start to impose socialism in place of capitalism. Stalin's goal was to preserve "socialism in one country" not communism.
In truth though, he did not even follow true Marxist ideals of socialism either.
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Why does Lenin consider his dictatorship of the proletariat to be preferable?
Lenin's "dictatorship of the proletariat" was never like Karl Marx's version. Lenin's dictatorship was preferable to him because he felt that the "proletariat" of Russia were not sufficiently aware of their class status as proletariat. He felt they needed a strong government run by a small group of people (the Bolsheviks/Communists) who would prevent them from trying to reverse the revolutionary gains of the revolution. If "his" version of the dictatorship of the proletariat were to be turned over to the workers of Russia in general as Marx had wanted, the people might have wanted a return to capitalism and an overthrow of socialism.
What is the Proletariat and what did Lenin call for in Russia with regards to this group?
The Proletariat is a social class composed of common workers who own nothing but the right to sell their own labor. They are the ones exploited and oppressed by the bourgeoisie so that they can accumulate wealth at the expense of the proletariat. Karl Marx was the first person to use the term proletariat to refer to the class of common workers and to urge them to unite in order to overthrow their bourgeoisie masters. Lenin included soldiers and peasant farmers in the proletariat and urged them all to unite and overthrow the Tsarist regime and its capitalist economy and afterward to establish a socialist economy and a government run by and for the benefit of the proletariat. Unfortunately for the workers, soldiers and peasants, by "proletariat", Lenin essentially meant members of the Communist Party.
What was the difference between Lenin's idea of communism in Russia and Marx's idea of evolution of communism?
There really wasn't a "difference"... Lenin more so supplemented the theory, rather than changing it. Lenin [and Stalin] strongly warned against revisionism. (Revisionism is the changing of the theory, often for personal benefit..)The above is not totally correct:There were several differences between the two. Marx believed in and economic revolution which would result in a change in the political system. Lenin believed in a political revolution which would then result in a change in the economic system.Lenin and his Bolsheviks overwhelmed the Provisional Government after the abdication of the Tsar and impose rule by the soviets in various cities. The Bolsheviks then changed the economy into a predominantly socialistic one.In addition, Marx believed that the revolution could take place only in the heavily industrialized nations where capitalism flourished to the point where the bourgeoisie and proletariat social classes drifted further and further apart until the proletariat would overwhelm the bourgeoisie. The proletariat would then change the existing government into what he called the dictatorship of the proletariat. Lenin believed that the revolution could take place in a predominantly agrarian society where the majority of the population was peasant farmer rather than industrialized workers.Marx believed capitalism would die of its own defects because the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie and take over ownership and control of the means of production. Lenin believed capitalism had to be killed.Marx believed that the revolution would be by a general mass of the proletariat practically without organization. Lenin believed the revolution could only happen by a small group of professional revolutionaries
Why did Lenin want revolution?
Vladamir Lenin was from a privileged family and was never a "worker". Lenin was an intellectual who clearly dismissed the notion of Marx's scientific socialism. Marx believed as part of historical class struggles, the workers of an advanced capitalist nation would rise up in revolt against the ownership classes. Lenin decided the workers needed more direction from himself and his Bolshevik Party. His revolution was against the Provisional government that had deposed Czar Nicholas. Lenin wanted a revolution to suit his needs, and was impatient with the tenants of Marxism. He betrayed Marx in order to gain power and correct Russia's flirtations with democracy and democratic socialism.
Did Lenin want the means of production to be in the control of the people?
No he did not. Lenin was dedicated to turning Russia from a capitalist country into a socialist country. Communism would come later as a result of the natural forces of society. Lenin wanted all industry and land to be owned by a strong central government rather than in the hands of individual owners.
