“Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever.”
- April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924
- Born in the Russian Empire
- Revolutionary, political theorist, lawyer, state leader
- He led the Russian Revolution and is known as the founder of the Soviet Union. He put Marxist theory into practice and became a symbolic figure in the communist movement of the 20th century.
Quote
“Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Lenin’s belief in the power of education and indoctrination as central tools for shaping the future of Soviet society. He argues that by educating children in the values of Bolshevism, the revolutionary ideals of the state can be instilled early, making them permanent. Lenin understood that the future of the revolution depended on the ideological development of the younger generation. The eight years mentioned are significant because they are the formative years during which children are most impressionable and can be molded into loyal, ideologically committed citizens of the socialist state. This approach was part of a broader strategy to create a generation that was politically conscious and ideologically aligned with Bolshevik principles, ensuring the continuation of the revolution and the preservation of socialist values.
Historically, this perspective led to wide-ranging educational reforms in the early Soviet Union. The state sought to control and shape the education system, using it as a means of promoting Marxist-Leninist ideology and disrupting the influence of traditional institutions like the church. Children were taught to view the revolution as a historic necessity, and educational content was designed to align with Bolshevik goals, instilling a loyalty to the state and a commitment to socialism. This strategy was seen as a way to ensure the survival of the revolution by ensuring that future generations would embrace the socialist ideals without question.
In modern terms, this quote raises questions about the role of education in shaping political identity and whether state control over education can be used to promote a particular ideology. It echoes concerns about the political indoctrination that can take place in any system, whether authoritarian, democratic, or otherwise. Lenin’s statement also reminds us of the importance of education in shaping future political dynamics, and how education systems can be tools for both progressive and regressive political agendas.
