marxism-leninism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Academic; Political
Quick answer
What does “marxism-leninism” mean?
A political and economic ideology based on the theories of Karl Marx as developed and adapted by Vladimir Lenin, advocating a vanguard party-led revolution to establish a socialist state and, ultimately, a communist society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political and economic ideology based on the theories of Karl Marx as developed and adapted by Vladimir Lenin, advocating a vanguard party-led revolution to establish a socialist state and, ultimately, a communist society.
The official state ideology of the Soviet Union and various other communist states during the 20th century. It includes Marxist economic analysis and materialist philosophy, combined with Leninist theories on imperialism, revolutionary strategy, and the role of a highly disciplined Communist Party as the leading force of the proletariat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. In British academic/political discourse, it may more frequently be hyphenated ('Marxism-Leninism') compared to American, where the closed form 'Marxism-Leninism' is also common.
Connotations
Both dialects carry the same primary connotations linked to 20th-century communist states. In American political discourse, the term is almost exclusively used in a critical or historical context. In British discourse, it may occasionally appear in more neutral, theoretical academic discussion.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, limited to historical, political science, and ideological contexts. Slightly higher frequency in American discourse due to its prevalent use in Cold War-era and anti-communist rhetoric.
Grammar
How to Use “marxism-leninism” in a Sentence
[Subject] adheres to/practises Marxism-Leninism.Marxism-Leninism [verb: teaches, posits, argues] that...The ideology of Marxism-Leninism...A follower/proponent of Marxism-Leninism...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marxism-leninism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group sought to Marxism-Leninise their party platform. (Very rare, non-standard)
American English
- They aimed to Marxism-Leninize their political approach. (Very rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The party governed Marxism-Leninistically. (Extremely rare, theoretical)
American English
- They interpreted the text Marxism-Leninistically. (Extremely rare, theoretical)
adjective
British English
- He held a firm Marxism-Leninist worldview.
- The party's Marxism-Leninist orthodoxy was unquestioned.
American English
- She studied Marxism-Leninist political theory.
- The state's Marxism-Leninist ideology shaped its foreign policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, except in historical analysis of certain economies.
Academic
Common in Political Science, History, and Sociology courses/modules on 20th-century ideologies and the Cold War.
Everyday
Very rare, except in historical or overtly political discussions.
Technical
Core term in political theory and historiography; used with precision to denote the specific Soviet-era ideology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marxism-leninism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marxism-leninism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marxism-leninism”
- Incorrect pluralisation (*Marxism-Leninisms).
- Misspelling as 'Marxist-Leninism' (adjective-noun mix).
- Confusing it with later derivatives like 'Maoism' or 'Trotskyism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific historical and ideological strand of communism. Communism is the broader end-goal (a stateless, classless society), while Marxism-Leninism is a particular theory and practice for achieving it, centered on a vanguard party and revolution.
The term was not coined by Lenin himself but was systematised and promulgated by Joseph Stalin and the Soviet leadership after Lenin's death to describe the orthodox state ideology.
As the state ideology of several remaining communist-governed countries (e.g., Cuba, Laos), it retains official relevance. As a political theory, it is a major subject of academic study but has limited influence on contemporary mainstream Western politics.
Marxism refers to the original philosophical, economic, and sociological theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxism-Leninism adapts these, adding Lenin's theories on imperialism, the revolutionary vanguard party, and the dictatorship of the proletariat, forming a more prescriptive guide for revolutionary seizure and holding of state power.
A political and economic ideology based on the theories of Karl Marx as developed and adapted by Vladimir Lenin, advocating a vanguard party-led revolution to establish a socialist state and, ultimately, a communist society.
Marxism-leninism is usually formal; academic; political in register.
Marxism-leninism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːksɪzəm ˈlɛnɪnɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːrksɪzəm ˈlɛnɪnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this compound term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MARX' provided the blueprint, 'LENIN' was the engineer who built the first model. 'Marxism-Leninism' is that specific model of political machinery.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEOLOGY IS A FOUNDATION/BLUEPRINT (e.g., 'built upon the foundation of Marxism-Leninism').
Practice
Quiz
Marxism-Leninism is primarily associated with which of the following?