Leszek Kolakowski
REVOLUTION AND REFORM
Let us summarize the arguments for the position that the
communist system is not reformable. According to this view, the pri–
mary function of the communist system is to assure the ruling appara–
tus a monopoly of power; that changes in the past or the future do
not alter this principle; and that despotic power cannot be dissolved
partially (which is almost a tautology, since monopoly cannot by
definition be partial). It is also argued that all changes can be re–
scinded, for they cannot be institutionalized without dissolving the
·whole mechanism. Hence the basic needs of both the working class
and the intelligentsia cannot be realized within the limits set by the
system.
Stalinism - a bloody, ruthless, personal tyranny - was the em–
bodiment of the system. The subsequent softening of the terror has
in no way altered the despotic nature of the system or the peculiarly
socialist forms of oppression and exploitation. Weare dealing with
a rigid organism, without self-regulating devices, capable of change
only when faced with violent upheavals; but apart from superficial
concessions and regroupings within the ruling cliques, these upheav–
als do not leave any scars on its body.
Because this system is directed against society, which is deprived
of all institutional forms of self-defense, the only change imaginable
is one achieved by violent upheaval. Furthermore, such an upheaval
must involve the entire system, because Soviet arms will always be
used to suppress all revolutionary efforts. Some expect an upheaval
would lead to a truly socialist society; others think a West Euro–
pean style of capitalism would be the only solution, because of the
economic and ideological bankruptcy of socialism.
