LENIN ON ORGANIZATION 
A FUNDAMENTAL REASON FOR THE SUCCESS 
OF THE BOLSHEVIKS. 
(From ‘the “Infantile Sickness of Leftism,” 
written 1920). 
Nearly everybody perhaps now realizes that the 
Bolsheviks could not have remained in power for 
two-and-a-half months, let alone two-and-a-half 
years, were it not for the strict, in fact, the iron 
discipline which prevails in our Party, and the full 
and unquestioning support given it by the whole 
mass of the working class, that is, by all in it who 
think, are honest, self-sacrificing, enjoy influence 
and are able to lead or drag the other sections 
with them. 
The dictatorship of the proletariat is a merciless 
and decisive war waged by the new class against 
its more powerful enemy, the bourgeoisie, the re- 
sistance of which increases tenfold after its over- 
throw (even though the overthrow takes place in 
one country only), and the power of which consists 
not only in the strength of international capitalism 
and the efficiency of the international communica- 
tions of the bourgeoisie, but also in force of habit 
and the strength of petty industry. For, unfortu- 
nately, there are very, very many petty industries 
Xx 
209