Page "Leninism" Paragraph 12

As epitomised in the slogan “ Freedom in Discussion, Unity in Action ”, Lenin followed the example of the First International ( IWA, International Workingmen ’ s Association, 1864 – 1876 ), and organised the Bolsheviks as a democratically centralised vanguard party, wherein free political-speech was recognised legitimate until policy consensus ; afterwards, every member of the Party would be expected to uphold the official policy established in consensus.

In the pamphlet Freedom to Criticise and Unity of Action ( 1905 ), Lenin said: