Rev Left Radio

[BEST OF] The Life and Legacy of Alexandra Kollontai

May 9, 2025
Kristen Ghodsee, a professor of Russian and East European Studies, dives into the life of revolutionary Alexandra Kollontai. They explore Kollontai’s evolution from Russian nobility to a key figure in Marxist feminism and her role in the October Revolution. The conversation highlights her complex relationship with Stalin and critiques of traditional family structures, advocating for new forms of love in socialist contexts. Ghodsee also touches on Kollontai's lasting impact on feminism and the need for modern movements to draw inspiration from her legacy.
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INSIGHT

Kollontai's Revolutionary Role

  • Alexandra Kollontai was a revolutionary Marxist feminist from Russian nobility who radically transformed women's role in society and the revolution.
  • Though overlooked in Western feminist circles, she was central to Marxism, feminism, and proletarian liberation internationally.
INSIGHT

Self-Education and Influences

  • Kollontai largely self-educated in Marxism and socialism, fluent in many languages and influenced by key socialists like August Bebel and Rosa Luxemburg.
  • She bridged Menshevism and Bolshevism, adapting through debate, exile, and activism in Europe and Russia.
INSIGHT

Kollontai and Lenin's Relationship

  • Kollontai initially opposed Lenin’s call for revolutionary violence due to pacifism but ultimately became his key Bolshevik supporter.
  • She was integral in mobilizing women and voted for the October Revolution, becoming commissar of social welfare.
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