1. The so-called “scientific” variety of socialism; that is, Marxism-Leninism or Marxist scientific socialism. (See also =COMMUNISM [MARXIST SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM]=.) 2. In a limited meaning, “socialism” refers to the first or lower stage of communism, which is the transitory period between the seizure of power and the higher or final phase of communism. See =COMMUNISM (stages of development)= for further details. SOCIALISM (NON-MARXIST): The communists have nothing but contempt for any form of socialism except the Marxist-Leninist version. Non-Marxist socialists are regarded as “utopian,” impractical, and allies of the bourgeoisie. STATE: Communists regard all states to be organs of force and suppression in the hands of the rulers. They bitterly denounce the noncommunist state as an instrument of suppression, and blithely assert that when full communism comes the state will “wither away.” However, inside present communist states (where the dictatorship of the proletariat is in power) the state has not withered away but has become ever stronger, increasing communist power and terror. TRANSMISSION BELTS: Refers to disguised mass organizations, which are used by the Communist Party to spread or transmit communism to the masses of people. “It is impossible to effect the dictatorship without having a number of ‘transmission belts’ from the vanguard to the masses of the advanced class, and from the latter to the masses of the toilers.” (_Lenin_) UNITED FRONT: A revolutionary tactic designed to secure the support of noncommunists for Party objectives. This generally involves Party manipulation of noncommunist groups, usually on some current issue such as “peace” or “civil rights,” whereby the Party, while maintaining its independent role, cooperates with others to work for certain goals. To noncommunists the goal is advancement of the good of society; to communists, the revolution. VANGUARD OF THE PROLETARIAT: Term applied to the role of the Communist Party as the leader or teacher of the proletariat. Communists often talk of the Party as the “general staff” of the revolution. WAR: 1. Communists talk much about peace but feverishly prepare for war. In Soviet Russia communist preparation takes the form of military strength—the army, navy, air force; in the United States, the organization of an active above-ground and underground apparatus designed to wage “war” against noncommunist society.