Conclusion    
Exporting Mischief    

by Ian Frazier 

   Fifty years after the Russian Revolution, one-third of the world's population lived under some version of Communism. Then, one state after another converted to a market-based economy. Today, even Cuba welcomes capitalist enterprises from America.

   But Russia has not stopped involving itself in other countries' internal affairs. Which is not to suggest that other countries, including us, don't sometimes do the same. 

   By turning the state's secret and coercive forces actively outward, the Bolsheviks invented something new under the sun for Russia. It has found exporting mischief to be a great relief - and, evidently a point of strategy, and of pride. 

   In June, James Comey, former director of the FBI, told Congress, "We're talking about a foreign government that...tried to shape the way we think, we vote, we act." That habit began at the revolution. 

   Today, Lenin might feel discouraged to see the failure of his Marxist utopia. But his political methods may be his real legacy. 

   Lenin's tactics enjoy excellent health today. In capitalist Russia, Putin favors his friends, holds power closely and doesn't compromise with rivals. In America too, the strictest partisanship rules. 

   Lenin's methods have a powerfully modern appeal. He showed the world how well not compromising can work. A response to that revolutionary innovation of his has yet to be figured out. 

Smithsonian

   Our final thoughts, next week.   Jimmy