Izdana revolucija

Trotsky, the exiled leader of the revolution, analyzes how Stalin's government took control of the country, turning it into an authoritarian system that stifles workers' democracy.

The book begins with a historical overview of the revolution of 1917 and its goals - the abolition of class differences and the creation of an egalitarian society. Trotsky claims that the Soviet bureaucracy, led by Stalin, has become a new privileged class that exploits workers and peasants. He criticizes economic policies, including forced collectivization and five-year plans, which he says have led to inefficiency and suffering. He particularly refers to political purges and repression, which eliminated revolutionary ideals and intellectuals.

Trotsky introduces the concept of the "Thermidorian reaction", comparing Stalin's regime to the counter-revolution in the French Revolution. He advocates permanent revolution, arguing that socialism can only survive through global expansion, not "socialism in one country". However, he defends the Soviet system as a transitional phase, calling for a political revolution to overthrow the bureaucracy.

The style is analytical, polemical and passionate, with an emphasis on Marxist theory. The work is crucial for understanding Trotsky's conflict with Stalinism.