The export of capital in Lenin's theory of imperialism

Abstract

In his preparatory studies for writing the book Imperialism, Lenin sums up, at the end of Notebook ‘beta’, a plan to the book, which contains a logical organization of its arguments very similar to its final structure. There he points out to the export of capital as the ‘chief-thing’. However, the absence of explanations, and the difference in relation to the actual final form of the book, turns difficult to know the exact reason that led him to treat export of capital that way. In this article, we propose that considering the export of capital the chief-thing is compatible with Lenin’s final description of imperialism because it connects the problems raised by imperialism and the necessity of world revolution. To support this hypothesis, we bring back Lukács’ 1924 argument of the unity of Lenin’s thought, and analyse both theoretical and political positions of Lenin.

Keywords
Lenin; 1870-1924; Imperialism; Export of capital