What does bolshevism mean?
Bolshevism refers to the revolutionary communist doctrine and political system associated with the Bolsheviks, the faction led by Vladimir Lenin that seized power in Russia during the October Revolution of 1917 and founded the Soviet state. Rooted in an interpretation of Marxism adapted to Russian conditions, it emphasized a disciplined vanguard party, the overthrow of existing institutions, and centralized control of the economy and state. The word derives from 'bolshe', the Russian term for 'greater' or 'majority', which gave Lenin's faction its name within the pre-revolutionary Russian Social Democratic movement. Beyond its original sense, bolshevism came to be used — often pejoratively — as a blanket label for militant revolutionary socialism anywhere in the world, particularly during the political anxieties that followed the First World War. Today it is primarily a historical term, encountered in discussions of the Russian Revolution, Soviet history, and twentieth-century political rhetoric.
nounThe communist political doctrine and practices associated with the Bolsheviks, the radical faction led by Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917. More broadly, any strongly revolutionary or authoritarian left-wing ideology regarded as resembling Bolshevism.
- The communist doctrine and system of government established by the Bolsheviks under Lenin in Russia after 1917.
- Derogatorily, any extreme revolutionary socialist or leftist movement thought to resemble Bolshevism.
"Critics accused the new government of sliding toward bolshevism."
"Western governments feared that bolshevism would spread beyond Russia's borders after the First World War."
"In his speech, he denounced what he saw as bolshevism masquerading as reform."
Rarely pluralized; the word normally functions as a mass noun referring to a single doctrine. A plural may occasionally appear when contrasting different national variants of the movement.
"Historians have contrasted the bolshevisms of different revolutionary movements across interwar Europe."
The word 'bolshevism' comes from a Russian word meaning 'majority' — even though Lenin's faction was actually the smaller of the two at the time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bolshevism
Bolshevism comes from 'Bolshevik', itself derived from the Russian 'bol'shinstvo', meaning 'majority', formed on 'bol'shoi' ('great' or 'large'). The name originated in 1903 when Lenin's faction won a temporary majority at a split in the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, though the label stuck despite later shifts in relative strength. The English word bolshevism arose shortly after the 1917 Russian Revolution, when Western interest in the new regime made the term widespread. Related terms include Menshevism, from the rival 'minority' faction, and the word 'soviet', which entered English around the same period.
Related word forms
How bolshevism is actually used
The term is historical and often carries pejorative connotations, especially when used loosely by opponents to brand any radical left-wing politics. In careful modern usage it is usually confined to the specific Russian/Soviet movement of 1917 onward; 'Bolshevik' is conventionally capitalized when referring to party members.
Easily confused with bolshevism
A Bolshevik was a member of Lenin's faction (or later a member of the Communist Party), while bolshevism is the ideology or system those Bolsheviks espoused.
Menshevism was the doctrine of the Mensheviks, the moderate rival faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, whereas bolshevism was the doctrine of Lenin's more radical majority faction.