# Marx — The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism character guide

> Marx in The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism by Bertrand Russell.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-the-practice-and-theory-of-bolshevism

## Who they are

Foundational theorist of communism, frequently referenced in theory sections.

## Relationships

### [Gorky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/gorky)

_psychological_

Gorky was deeply influenced by Marx's ideas, viewing him as a foundational intellectual figure whose theories shaped his worldview.

### [Lenin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/lenin)

_psychological_

Lenin revered Marx as the theoretical father of communism, building his revolutionary practice on Marx's doctrines.

### [Kamenev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/kamenev)

_psychological_

Kamenev regarded Marx as a foundational ideological authority, though his interpretations were often pragmatic.

## In the story

### [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)

Referenced as the theoretical foundation for Bolshevik ideology, particularly the materialist conception of history.

### [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)

Marx's theories are referenced in the context of the Bolsheviks' materialist conception of history.

### [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)

Referenced indirectly through the doctrine of economic determinism and class war.

### [General Characteristics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ii-general-characteristics)

His theory of predestined Communism is cited as influencing Bolshevik fanaticism and international policy.

### [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)

Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'Scientific Socialism' in the Congress resolution.

### [International Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ix-international-policy)

Mentioned in the context of Bolshevik international policy, noting that Persians and Hindus are considered not yet ripe for Marx's doctrines.

### [Part II: Bolshevik Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/part-ii-bolshevik-theory)

Foundational thinker whose ideas are interpreted by the Bolsheviks.

### [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)

Attributed as the originator of the materialistic conception of history, which underlies Communist philosophy.

### [II: Deciding Forces in Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ii-deciding-forces-in-politics)

Russell critiques Marx's materialist conception of history for overemphasizing acquisitiveness and ignoring vanity, rivalry, and love of power as primary political drivers.

### [III: Bolshevik Criticism of Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iii-bolshevik-criticism-of-democracy)

Referenced as the source of the materialist conception of history and the basis for Bolshevik arguments.

### [Mechanism and the Individual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/v-mechanism-and-the-individual)

Referenced indirectly through Bolshevik theory's focus on inequality of wealth.

### [Why Russian Communism Has Failed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vi-why-russian-communism-has-failed)

Referenced in context of Marxist theory and the Bolsheviks' deterministic economic views.

### [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)

The fundamental ideas of Communism are attributed to Marxist thought, though Marx is not named explicitly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/marx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters