“the distortion and hushing up of the question of the relation of the proletarian revolution to the state could not but play an immense role at a time when states, which possess a military apparatus expanded as a consequence of imperialist rivalry, have become military monsters which are exterminating millions of people in order to settle the issue as to whether Britain or Germany — this or that finance capital — is to rule the world”. yeah❤️

Very easy to read! I wish Lenin more clearly defined Kautsky and the Second International's opportunism early on in the material, but I eventually got my mind around it. Will definitely re-read.

aka why anarchist are wrong about everything

Comprehensive in scope, but light on details. He had a fair bit going on, so quite understandable.

Not an eloquent defence of Marx, let's be honest. Marx is largely quiet on the state after a revolution by the Working Class, other than it withers away after the dictatorship of the Proletariat. So Lenin is the opportunity to clarify what is meant by the withering away of the state.

Is the state the Capitalist state? So of course with the decline of Capitalism is going to be the decline of the Capitalist state? Still not 100% sure, though, whether there is just a withering away of the Capitalist state or the state altogether? Indeed, Lenin does reject anarchism so there is a role for the state. Maybe the state does eventually wither away altogether. If so, I think that's naive relying on eg Nozick, Anarchy, State and Utopia; there must still be a state, however defined.