https://www.jstor.org/stable/3790073  -Retailing the Revolution: The State Department Store (GUM) and Soviet Society in the 1920s

Relating to, characterized by, or of the nature of political revolution; involving or constituting radical change. Also (frequently with capital initial): relating to a particular revolution.

To be revolutionary is to be committed to challenging the existing order, and taking concrete actions to put this into effect.

For 1920s Russia, this meant a commitment to building a socialist society based on Marxist principles. It involves key actions such as nationalising industry, eliminating class distinctions and collectivising agriculture. Engagement in political activism is also a key factor of being revolutionary, as overthrowing the imperial government was the first step in transforming both the political and social landscape of Russia. A cultural revolution is another key aspect of being revolutionary, as rejecting the bourgeoise culture and overthrowing its decadence was essential to build a socialist society.

Lenin claims the petty-bourgeoise Democrats fear dramatic change, and any deviations from the German model of socialism. This set structure is not achievable, however, as ‘in times of revolution the utmost flexibility is demanded’.

“Their conduct betrays them as cowardly reformists who are afraid to deviate from the bourgeoise, let alone break with it, at the same time they disguised their cowardice with the wildest rhetoric and braggartry. But what strikes one in all of them even from the purely theoretical point of view is their utter inability to grasp the following Marxist considerations: up to now they have seen capitalism and bourgeois democracy in Western Europe follow a definite path of development, and cannot conceive that this path can be taken as a model only mutatis mutandis, only with certain amendments (quite insignificant from the standpoint of the general development of world history).”

Revolution should be expected to be linear.

This article provides insight into the cultural and artistic landscape of 1920’s Soviet Russia, and in particular the Bolshevik’s approach to shaping a new society.

“The principal challenge faced by Bolshevik leaders arose from the fact that the proletarian class came to power before its members had fully developed their own artistic and cultural forms.”

One element I found particularly interesting was the conflict within the Bolshevik party between the soft-line approach - advocating for the inclusion of the old intelligentsia for Soviet society - and the hard-line approach - opposed the incorporation of old intelligentsia in shaping proletarian culture.

The Russian peasantry are ultimately a marginalised, but crucial element of society for revolution.

They were long oppressed by the feudalistic structure of society under imperial Russia, and there was thus a need to reform to improve their living conditions and give them greater autonomy over both land and labour. These rural masses hold the potential to drive revolution, as they have the ability to challenge the existing order and create a more equal society.

This chapter highlights the speed at which society was forced into 'revolution', and the consequences of prioritising the appearance of rapid change over genuine societal progress, particularly in the context of the peasantry.

"Labour exchanges should have methodically matched workers to vacancies, but many workers simply downed tools and followed the rumour of better paid work, better conditions, and better housing, travelling hundreds of miles on the off chance."