Socialist theory and the advanced capitalism

From what we have seen of the evolutionary tendencies of the advanced capitalism, it is only reasonable to suppose that at some juncture, and probably in more than one country, a socialist administration will assume control of economic and other affairs. When that time comes, it will become possible to modify capitalist relations of production more or less radically; more or less depending upon many circumstances, among them the ability of the socialists to proceed systematically and methodically with methods appropriate to the work to be done. Whether or not, in the wake of the revolution, there is again a reversion to capitalist relations of production will then very much depend upon what is done during the early period of the socialist tenure. What must be done in order to promote a continuing movement toward socialist society must now be considered. What special problems of transition are sure to be encountered? How are they to be dealt with?

It will be understood, of course, that what is said in response to these questions in theoretical investigations such as the present one can only apply with more or less qualification in practice. In actual revolutionary situations, circumstances peculiar to countries and peoples will be decisive. Nevertheless, Marxists have always prided themselves – if not always with full justification – on their reliance on theory for formulating and implementing programs.