p The basic feature of any leap is a radical turn in development or formation of a new quality. But in different objects this turn, the passage from the old quality to the new, takes place differently, in various forms. The form of the leap indicates how, in what way the transition from the old to the new takes place—swiftly, completely, at once or gradually, in stages. Some leaps are sudden and swift, with the old quality passing into the new completely and at once.

p Other leaps are less rapid and not so sudden. In this case the old quality does not pass into the new at once and completely, but in stages: the elements of the old gradually 104 wither away and are replaced by elements of the new quality just as gradually. A leap of this kind, as a gradual qualitative change, must not be confused with a gradual quantitative accumulation. For all its graduality this leap too is a much faster and more noticeable change than the most intensive change of quantity. Moreover, gradual quantitative changes do not affect the essence, the nature of an object, whereas every leap, even a gradual one, is always a decisive turn in development, it transforms the object and turns it into a qualitatively new object.

p On what does the form of a leap depend? First of all it depends on the character of the phenomenon undergoing development. Each phenomenon passes into another, a new one, in its own particular way. For example, the transmutation of certain elementary particles into others takes place through an explosion. As soon as an electron and positron clash at sufficiently high energies, a flash (explosion) occurs instantly, testifying to the transmutation of the original particles into others (photons). The transmutation of certain chemical elements into others during an increase or decrease in the charge of the atomic nuclei is just as instantaneous.

p In organic nature leaps as a rule are of a gradual character. The birth of new species usually depends on the environment. The environment, however, changes slowly, gradually. This largely explains why new species of plants and animals do not arise at once, but in the process of a long development, in the course of which organisms gradually acquire and pass on by heredity new characteristics which conform to the changed environment, and lose the old characteristics which no longer correspond to the new conditions.

p Man too, as we know, arose not at once but in the course of evolution. Notwithstanding the gradual character of transformation of the anthropoid ape into a man, the transformation as such was the greatest leap, turning point in the development of the animal world. It marked the emergence and development of human society.

p The form of a leap depends on the conditions in which the phenomenon develops. During radioactive disintegration, for example, the nuclei of some chemical elements are transmuted into nuclei of other, lighter elements, and this process is accompanied by the conversion of atomic energy 105 into thermal energy. This conversion, depending on the conditions, may assume the form of an explosion (in an atomic bomb) or the gradual conversion of atomic energy into heat (in reactors of atomic power plants).

p In social development transition from the old quality to the new may take the form of rapid and violent changes or gradual changes.

p The 1917 October Socialist Revolution in Russia, the greatest qualitative turning point in history which ushered in a new era in the development of mankind, the era of socialism and communism, was a rapid and violent leap. As a result of this armed uprising the Russian proletariat in alliance with the peasants, put an end to the political rule of the bourgeoisie by a single blow, and came to power.

p The cultural revolution in the Soviet Union was also a leap, a revolutionary transition to a new, socialist culture; it was effected, however, not at once, but gradually, in step with the successes of socialist construction, which creates conditions for a radical improvement of public education and political education of the masses and the rise of a new, socialist intelligentsia.

p It is very important to take into account the distinctive features of leaps in practice. Without ascertaining these distinctive features it is impossible to find the correct ways for a transition from the old to the new.

p The question of the forms of transition from capitalism to socialism in different countries is particularly important at present. The transition to socialism in any country can be effected only through a socialist revolution. Without a qualitative leap, without a revolution, transition to socialism is impossible. But the concrete ways in which the revolution will proceed in each individual country depend on the level of the country’s development, the strength and organisation of the working class and its allies, the traditions and customs of the people, the strength and the resistance of the bourgeoisie, and a number of other internal and external factors.

p The experience of building socialism in the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries shows that the development of the socialist revolution in various countries cannot be the same, and that in future the forms of development will be ever more diverse.

The national democratic revolution in Ethiopia is following a course of its own. In view of the country’s backwardness, the existence of the survivals and mainstays of feudalism, and the smallness of the working class and its inadequate organisation, the progressive part of the army became the main revolutionary force. It is important to note that the people of Ethiopia had to take up arms in order to protect the gains of the revolution and the country’s territorial integrity against internal and external reaction.