Letter to L.B. Rozenfeld (Kamenev), 5 February 1916

Translated from: ru/1916/1916-02-05_pismo_lb_rozenfeldu_5_fevralya_1916.txt

Hello, dear friend.

I have not received any letters from you. In answer to Grigory's question about "my plans for work on the national question," I can say the following. I am currently writing two long articles: 1) the national movement in its development, and 2) war and the national movement. If one were to combine into a single collection: I) my pamphlet "Marxism and the National Question," II) the as-yet-unpublished but already approved large article on "Cultural-National Autonomy" (the very one about which you inquired from Avilov), III) a postscript to the preceding article (a draft is in my possession), IV) the national movement in its development, and V) war and the national movement -- if, I say, all this were combined into a single collection, then it might make a suitable book on "the theory of the national movement" (or question) for the publishing house mentioned in your letter to Suren. The content of the pamphlet "The National Question and Marxism" is already known; it only needs a slight supplement. The content of the article on "Cultural-National Autonomy" is likewise known, at least to Ilyich and Grigory. The "Postscript" criticizes the articles by An. [N.N. Zhordania -- Ed.] in the Trotskyist Borba. The outline of "The National Movement in Its Development" (this article will be ready soon) is as follows: 1) forms of national oppression, 2) the emergence of the national movement,* 3) the flourishing of the national movement,** 4) the decline of the national movement,*** 5) imperialism and the national movement, 6) conclusion.

The outline of "War and the National Movement" is as follows: the continuous growth of capital accumulation as the fundamental need of industrial capitalism. The export chiefly of industrial capital (the export of monetary and especially commodity capital is not characteristic in the present case) as the inevitable condition for the accumulation of this need. Imperialism as the political expression. A stage of economic conception. The inadequacy of the old framework of the "national state"; the breaking of this framework and the striving to form "states of nationalities." Hence the striving for seizure and war (Russia and other agrarian countries, which themselves import capital -- primarily monetary and industrial -- strive for seizure for different ends and on different grounds, which is not characteristic of the present war). Hence the frequent appeals by the belligerent states to the national instincts of the peoples destined to be incorporated into the composition of one state or another. Hence the faith in national liberation, which undoubtedly awakens the national movement, whether the gentlemen players desire it or not. The popularity of the principle of national self-determination in contrast to the principle of annexation. The revealed weakness (economic and otherwise) of small "states" and the popularity of the idea of a close union -- not only military but also economic -- of states. The inadequacy of completely independent existence for small and medium-sized states and the fiasco of the idea of national separation. The revealed strength of "national instincts" and the popularity of the idea of autonomous regions with a predominance of one or another nationality. An expanded and deepened union of states, on the one hand, and autonomy of national regions within states, on the other -- such is the emerging expansion of the old political framework that no longer meets the new stage of capitalism.

The question is about what is happening of its own accord, regardless of the will of the proletariat. As for the latter, it must find expression in the proclamation of autonomy for national territories within states of nationalities, in the struggle for a United States of Europe, i.e., for the most democratic forms of the emerging expansion of the framework. So then, if the collection in this form is suitable, it can be said that it is almost ready. If it is not suitable, let Ilyich and Grigory write in detail, i.e., let them give a detailed order -- and, if possible, I shall do everything in my power.

Such is my answer to Grigory and the others. I would have written to Ilyich myself, but it seems to me that you have some reliable channels to our friends abroad, and I therefore ask you to forward this letter to them.

I have few materials on the national question. I would like to have at least Natsionalnye Problemy from the first issue onward -- but where to get them? I wrote to Russia, but who knows when or whether they will send them at all.

What else to write about? I am living as before, etc. I shake your hand.

Iosif.

* Epoch of primitive accumulation.
** Early stages of industrial capitalism.

From the archive of V.D. Mochalov.

NOTE
L.B. Rozenfeld -- L.B. Kamenev. Suren -- S.S. Spandarian. Grigory -- G.E. Zinoviev.
The footnotes marked with asterisks appear in the typewritten copy.