# The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism by Bertrand Russell.

- [The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/the-practice-and-theory-of-bolshevism.md): Russell analyzes the Bolshevik regime, contrasting its theoretical foundations with its practical realities, including industrial collapse, peasant suffering, and the dictatorship's methods.
- [Part I: The Present Condition of Russia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/part-i-the-present-condition-of-russia.md): Russell describes the dire state of Russia under Bolshevik rule, focusing on industrial collapse, peasant food shortages, and the oppressive atmosphere in Moscow. He critiques the Bolsheviks' materialist conception of hi
- [I: What Is Hoped from Bolshevism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/i-what-is-hoped-from-bolshevism.md): Russell examines Bolshevism as a new religion of hope, contrasting its idealistic promises with the grim realities in Russia. He argues that fanatical belief in any creed leads to cruelty and warns that the Bolshevik met
- [General Characteristics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ii-general-characteristics.md): Russell contrasts the Western socialist understanding of Bolshevik theory with its literal application in Russia, describing the fanatical dedication and ruthlessness of the Communist Party. He draws historical parallels
- [III: Lenin, Trotsky and Gorky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iii-lenin-trotsky-and-gorky.md): Russell recounts his conversations with Lenin, Trotsky, and Gorky, offering contrasting portraits of the Bolshevik leaders. He describes Lenin as a dictatorial, theory-driven figure with a religious faith in Marxism, who

> 15 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se_529kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Art and Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iv-art-and-education.md)
- [V: Communism and the Soviet Constitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/v-communism-and-the-soviet-constitution.md)
- [VI: The Failure of Russian Industry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vi-the-failure-of-russian-industry.md)
- [Daily Life in Moscow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vii-daily-life-in-moscow.md)
- [Town and Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/viii-town-and-country.md)
- [International Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ix-international-policy.md)
- [Part II: Bolshevik Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/part-ii-bolshevik-theory.md)
- [I: The Materialistic Theory of History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/i-the-materialistic-theory-of-history.md)
- [II: Deciding Forces in Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ii-deciding-forces-in-politics.md)
- [III: Bolshevik Criticism of Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iii-bolshevik-criticism-of-democracy.md)
- [Revolution and Dictatorship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iv-revolution-and-dictatorship.md)
- [Mechanism and the Individual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/v-mechanism-and-the-individual.md)
- [Why Russian Communism Has Failed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vi-why-russian-communism-has-failed.md)
- [Conditions for the Success of Communism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vii-conditions-for-the-success-of-communism.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters