Stalinist »Partiinost« and Communist Dignity
Stalinist »Partiinost« and Communist Dignity

Summary/Abstract: This paper is concerned with one theme out of a possible cycle dealing with the dignity of man: the dignity of the communist. However, it is not about the dignity of the communist in his relationship to the enemies of the revolution, for, on this point, there has never been any doubt; except, of course, from the practical point of view: can the communist gather enough physical strength to maintain his defiant dignity when in the hands of the counterrevolutionary terror. We are interested here in something else: the attitude of the communist towards his party. This relationship has remained, both on the theoretical and practical plane, outside of the Marxists' realm of interest. The reason for this: unlimited »partiinost« that was predominant under Stalinism in almosti all communist parties. The communist has been prepared for the conscious and complete submission of all that is individual - his interests, rights, views, and actions - to the collective revolutionary endeavour. Readiness, not only for an heroic sacrifice, but for the complete oblivion of his self as well, has been expected from the communist.

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