Marxism-Leninism
Marxism-Leninism is the communist doctrine developed in the Soviet Union and adopted by most 20th-century communist states. It holds that a vanguard party should seize power, govern through a one-party state and build socialism through state ownership and central planning.
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Uses democratic centralism, concentrating real authority in the party's central leadership.
Rules through a single vanguard party without competitive elections.
Prioritises the security of the revolutionary state, with extensive policing and censorship in practice.
Proclaims proletarian internationalism, though state interests often shaped foreign policy.
Maintains large militaries and backs armed revolution and allied movements abroad.
Mixed record: formal recognition of nationalities alongside periods of enforced cultural uniformity.
Abolishes private ownership of the means of production in favour of state ownership.
Defined by centralised state planning of production and investment.
Trade conducted through state monopolies and largely within the socialist bloc.
Promotes state atheism and restricts religious institutions.
Promoted women's employment and literacy, but was often socially conservative on other issues.
Strongly favours rapid industrialisation and scientific progress.