"Democracy is indispensable to socialism"

Vladimir Lenin’s assertion that “Democracy is indispensable to socialism” reveals a nuanced understanding of the necessary conditions for a successful socialist transformation. His statement signals an awareness that socialism does not arise solely from the top-down imposition of new economic forms or through the authority of a revolutionary vanguard, but requires the active engagement and liberation of the working masses. For Lenin, democracy is not merely a political form but a mechanism through which the exploited class gains experience, voice, and genuine control over social affairs.

The indispensable nature of democracy for socialism stems from two interrelated causes. First, the project of socialism aims to transfer power from narrow elites to society as a whole by rendering the distribution of resources and decision-making power more collective and egalitarian. Without democratic structures ensuring broad participation, transparency, and accountability, any would-be socialist system risks reproducing the same alienation and hierarchy characteristic of capitalism. Democracy, therefore, is a safeguard against bureaucratic degeneration and the concentration of power, tendencies that can emerge when popular engagement is suppressed.

Second, democracy is vital for the education and empowerment of citizens. Socialism relies fundamentally on the initiative and consciousness of the masses, not only to overthrow the existing order but to build and sustain new social relations. Democratic practices, such as open debate, the election and recall of representatives, and freedom of association, give people the practical tools to learn self-governance. This continual process is essential for building a truly socialist society, one based not just on new property relations but also on solidarity, participation, and collective responsibility.

Lenin’s phrase, then, warns against any shortcut that ignores the structures of mass democracy within the socialist project. He emphasizes that socialism does not replace, but rather deepens and expands democracy, making it both a precondition and an ongoing practice necessary for socialism to thrive.