u/AlKanNot

In Socialism and War, Lenin discusses economism vs Iksrism. He says

"Whereas the economists adapted themselves to the backwardness of the masses, Iskra was educating the workers' vanguard that was capable of leading the masses onward. The present-day arguments of the social-chauvinists (i.e. the need to reckon with the masses..."

Suggesting that reckoning with the masses is bad. But isn't this part of what is needed when educating the masses? You need to reckon with them about certain issues.

Or is he saying that if the masses have backwards opinions, we shouldn't compromise our stance with these backwards positions?