The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism (Unabridged‪)‬

The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism, first published in 1920, is Bertrand Russell's assessment of the Communist system which he witnessed in the Soviet Union. In May of 1920, Russell entered Russia as an unofficial observer with the British Labour Delegation. During his month-long stay, he kept a journal of his observations, which formed the basis of The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism. Russell states that what he saw in Russia disabused him of his hope that the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 would lead to a better society. He also harshly criticises the fact that Bolshevism considered itself a religion, with practices and beliefs that would not allow any doubt. He contends that the ideology entertains dogmatic beliefs and closes the mind to scientific enquiry.