4.3 Article

Regrounding Critical Theory: Lenin on Imperialism, Nationalism, and Strategy

Journal

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES REVIEW
Volume 23, Issue 1, Pages 181-203

Publisher

OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/isr/viaa028

Keywords

nationalism; social movements; international political economy

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The article examines Lenin's work on imperialism, emphasizing his understanding of strategy and the dual nature of nationalism. Through these insights, Lenin offers valuable perspectives for Critical Theorists on the role of nationalism in transformative political projects, as well as on the dynamics of capitalist accumulation and territorial acquisition.
We live at a time of heightened nationalism on the political right and left, from the mobilization of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States and Europe, to promoting Palestinian liberation. This article, focusing on Lenin's work concerning imperialism, shows the importance, yet shortcomings of foregrounding the nation in calling for social transformation. The piece reads Lenin's contributions on imperialism, highlighting his understanding of strategy and the dual nature of nationalism, in light of debates within Critical Theory more generally. As I argue, Lenin offers insights for Critical Theorists, particularly on the place of nationalism within transformative political projects, as well as on the dynamics of capitalist accumulation and territorial acquisition. Lenin's work on imperialism draws our attention to the idea that only by mobilizing beyond the state/society binary-which many Critical Theorists and activists reify, sometimes unintentionally-can we explore the nature of emancipatory political action.

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