The State and Revolution

3856449The State and Revolution — PrefaceAnonymousVladimir Ilyich Lenin PREFACE The question of the State has recently attained outstanding importance, both theoretical and practical. The Imperialist war has greatly accelerated the transformation of monopoly-capitalism into State-monopoly-capitalism. The monstrous oppression of the laboring masses by the State—which identifies itself more and more intimately with the all-powerful capitalist combines—becomes ever more terrible. The foremost countries are being converted into military labor prisons for the workers. The incredible miseries and horrors of the protracted war are making the position of the masses unbearable and increasing their indignation. It is clear an international proletarian revolution is preparing. The question therefore of its relation to the State takes on a practical importance.