The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.
Analysis
The quote accurately reflects Lenin's argument that parliamentary democracy under capitalism allows the working class to vote only for representatives of the bourgeoisie, who then enforce class oppression. The statement is a direct paraphrase from Chapter 3 of the text, where Lenin discusses the limitations of liberal democracy.
Background
Written during the Russian Revolution, 'The State and Revolution' outlines Lenin's Marxist theory of the state as an instrument of class rule. The work argues for the dictatorship of the proletariat as a transitional phase to communism.
Verdict summary
Lenin did write this in 'The State and Revolution' (1917), critiquing bourgeois democracy.
Sources consulted
— Lenin, V. I. (1917). *The State and Revolution*. Marxists Internet Archive. https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/
— Service, R. (2000). *Lenin: A Biography*. Harvard University Press.
— Hardt, H., & Negri, A. (2000). *Empire*. Harvard University Press (for contextual analysis of Lenin's critique of democracy).