Konstantin Morozov – Doctor of Historical Sciences, associated researcher at EUR’ORBEM (Paris-Sorbonne/CNRS); head of the programme “History of the Struggle of Anti-Authoritarian Forces for Freedom in the Russian Empire and the USSR” of Historical and Educational Association ‘Memorial’-Vilnius answered on the questions of the «HISTORICAL EXPERTISE» journal.
Konstantin Morozov believes that it is impossible today to use thoughtlessly the term ‘left’ in a situation when it implies concepts and algorithms of political action that are not simply contradictory, but directly mutually exclusive, and even hostile. He believes that the dividing line between the two opposing sides was how revolutionaries answered the main question: socialism for the people or the people for socialism? In the author’s view, the crisis of the leftist movement cannot be overcome unless this is recognised and those who are in fact bearers of right-wing conservative values, merely disguised by a ‘leftist shell,’ continue to be called ‘leftists.’
To emerge from the crisis, the freedom-loving and democratic leftists must seriously reflect on their past and their baggage and try to meet the challenges of the era. It is necessary not only to research but also to tell society, through historical and educational activities, about such alittle-studied phenomenon as Russian ‘democratic socialism,’ which emerged in Russia as a counterweight to totalitarian socialism, and about its struggle and opposition to the ideology and practice of the Bolshevik experiment.
He believes that the main task today is to prevent the triumph of archaism and conservatism.