Page:Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - On Organization (1926).pdf/47

In 1901 in an article entitled "Where to Begin," Lenin wrote:

"We must work at forming a militant organization and conducting political agitation even in 'drab' and peaceful conditions, and even in the period of 'declining revolutionary spirit.' More than that, it is precisely in such conditions and in such a period that this work is necessary, because in the moment of outbreaks and outbursts it will be too late to set up an organization. The organization must be ready, in order to be able to develop its activity immediately." This also applies completely to the Communist Parties of Western Europe and of America.

The Communist Parties of Western Europe and America will be able to fulfill Lenin’s will in the sphere of organization only when they have set up proletarian Parties closely linked up with the masses of the workers and the toiling peasantry, similar to the Bolshevik Party; Parties capable under difficult conditions of leading the struggle of the working class and the toiling peasantry.

In order to establish the closest possible connection between the Communist Party and the masses of the workers, it is essential to reorganize the Parties on the basis of factory nuclei. In non-party worker and peasant organizations, Communist fractions must be formed. It is necessary that every member of the Party be active and that the local organizations show initiative.

"In the present epoch of acute class war," wrote