Dictatorship vs. Democracy (Terrorism and Communism) By Leon Trotsky Polis & Praxis Red Series Edition Written in 1920 at the height of the Russian Civil War, Dictatorship vs. Democracy (Terrorism and Communism) is Leon Trotsky’s explosive defense of revolutionary power and the use of force in the struggle to reshape society. Responding directly to Karl Kautsky’s critique of Bolshevik methods, Trotsky rejects liberal democracy as a façade for class rule and insists that the revolution must be defended—even through terror—if socialism is to survive. Unflinching and provocative, this polemic lays bare the moral and political logic of revolutionary violence. It challenges readers to grapple with enduring questions about the relationship between ends and means, freedom and necessity, democracy and dictatorship. A century later, Trotsky’s arguments remain startlingly relevant in an age of populism, crisis, and contested power. This Polis & Praxis Red Series edition includes: Introduction Essay — The Enduring Relevance of Dictatorship vs. Democracy : A powerful new essay exploring why Trotsky’s ideas still resonate in today’s political struggles. - Who Was Leon Trotsky? : A concise biographical portrait of the revolutionary leader’s life, exile, and assassination. - Curated Further Reading List : Essential works by Trotsky, his critics, and later historians that illuminate his legacy and the debates he helped define. Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy: Revolutionary history and political philosophy - Marxism, socialism, and the ethics of revolution - The writings of Lenin, Kautsky, and Rosa Luxemburg - Critical reflections on democracy, power, and state violence