Vladimir Lenin: An Exemplary Precedent for Modern Leaders to Emulate

            In March 1917, at a time of war and chaos an obscure revolutionary and a small band of followers boarded a German train in Zurich, Switzerland. Within 8 months of his arrival in Russia, that leader had propelled himself to absolute power over 150 million people, in a country that occupied one-sixth of the surface of the Earth; no other conqueror in history had ever achieved such a feat. His name was Vladimir Lenin. But the speed of his ascendancy to power is not what separates him from other leaders. How did an obscure intellectual reach the status of a demigod, worshipped as a hero by millions in his mother country Russia, and disciples of communism around the world? Well, not without great difficulty. Every dictator’s road to power is riddled with obstacles and problems. What distinguishes Lenin is his stubborn doggedness, and his cunning and persistence in dealing with and removing the obstacles in his path. With these traits along with his unique approach, Lenin was extremely successful in solving the problems he faced.

Following the successful October Revolution, Lenin found himself as the leader of a war-ravaged country, with widespread famine and unemployment. Firstly, Lenin had to end Russian involvement in the Great War. Lenin signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and although its terms were harsh, the contract was void after Germany was lost to allied forces. It is possible that Lenin spied the cracks in the Nazi regime’s strategies and foresaw the demise of Germany, which made him eager to sign any treaty the Germans had on the table, knowing that the terms wouldn’t last for long in any case. This strategy of appeasement allowed him to protect his Russia from the eastern front, and give him time to build up the nation from within.

Now, Lenin had to make sure that he stamped out all resistance against him and his new government. A primary faction of resistance was the “White Army”, which was comprised by soldiers on the Eastern front who were still loyal to the Tsar and his government, and they also wished to continue fighting in the Great War. The civil war of 1918 begins, in which the opposing White Army is pitted against Lenin’s Red Army. The Red Army, led by Trotsky, emerges victorious. Lenin succeeds in wiping out the seeds of dissent by November of 1920.

But, as in the case of World War I, an end to the fighting did not immediately bring with it a solution to the social and economic devastation brought about by the conflict. Lenin now had to deal with the troubles of the masses. Due to its failure to alleviate the poverty and distress brought about by the two conflicts, the Communist policy implemented by Lenin during the Civil War created social unrest and widespread riots. Faced with the possibility of another revolution and the loss of his power and everything he worked for, Lenin acted quickly, but not rashly. Contrary to other leaders who were on the verge of demise, Lenin kept himself from being induced into a frantic scramble to retain his seat of power. Lenin responded by introducing the “New Economic Policy”. It allowed farmers to sell their produce on the open market and keep the profit, and employ people to work for them.  Also, factories with less than twenty workers were denationalized and returned to former owners. In one swift move, Lenin’s carefully thought out reform policies satisfied the public’s need of jobs and food, and at the same time alleviated some of the pain of the (formerly) wealthy aristocracy at having their factories and fortunes taken over by the government.

After being shot in an assassination attempt by Dora Kaplan, Lenin’s health began to deteriorate. Instead of trying to run the nation from his sickbed, Lenin appointed Joseph Stalin in the newly created position of Secretary General. As Lenin’s health deteriorated further, Stalin suddenly became very important. While Lenin was immobilized after a surgery to remove a bullet from the aforementioned assassination attempt, Stalin made full use of his powers as Secretary General. Stalin played a crucial role in retaining control of the Communist party, and all of Russia. Note that this strategy of appointing a close loyal supporter to retain control was imitated by other dictators, most notably Fidel Castro.

Lenin was a revolutionary who held a greater vision for his country, in which it picks itself up from the despair of the war and once again becomes one of the world’s greatest nations. Despite being exiled twice and facing much harassment and opposition throughout his life, he never gave up on his beliefs and hopes for his country.. He successfully solved the problems he faced in creative yet efficient ways. 

With the current financial crisis and economic downturn, modern leaders have extremely trying times ahead of them, and they must successfully solve these problems if they are to have any hope for reelection. Lenin serves as an excellent example for modern world leaders to emulate. What lessons can be gleaned from Lenin's life? I am not advocating communism, but I urge world leaders to think critically, seek counsel from those who posses knowledge of the situation, and remember that the obvious solution may not be the optimal one (you don't solve a financial crisis by cutting taxes on the wealthy!). Only with determination and sensible leadership will we be able to overcome the hardship we currently face.