Reform or Revolution

Tactical questions of socialists supporting reform or revolution from 1900.

2021 Reprint of the 1937 Edition. Reform or Revolution is the classic statement of the position of scientific socialism on the questions of capitalist development, 'historical necessity, ' social reforms, the State, democracy and the character of the proletarian revolution. It was written in criticism of the ideas presented by Eduard Bernstein, a proponent of more gradual change or "reform" as opposed to orthodox theories of revolution as espoused by Marx and Luxembourg. At the age of twenty-seven, she had established herself as a major figure in the Second International by offering one of the most comprehensive criticisms of Bernstein's revisionist call to prioritize the method of reform over that of revolution. A close friend and collaborator of Engels, a Marxist of impeccable credentials but also a pioneering advocate of gay rights, Bernstein was also the first to articulate a non revolutionary path to socialism in what is widely considered the founding text of modern social democracy: The Preconditions of Socialism and the Tasks of Social Democracy (1899). At stake in Bernstein's dilemma, she argued, was not just a tactical choice, a mere discussion about this or that method of struggle; it was the "very existence of the Social Democratic movement" as a distinctive force in the struggle against capitalism.

2021 Reprint of the 1937 Edition. Reform or Revolution is the classic statement of the position of scientific socialism on the questions of capitalist development, 'historical necessity, ' social reforms, the State, democracy and the character of the proletarian revolution. It was written in criticism of the ideas presented by Eduard Bernstein, a proponent of more gradual change or "reform" as opposed to orthodox theories of revolution as espoused by Marx and Luxembourg. At the age of twenty-seven, she had established herself as a major figure in the Second International by offering one of the most comprehensive criticisms of Bernstein's revisionist call to prioritize the method of reform over that of revolution. A close friend and collaborator of Engels, a Marxist of impeccable credentials but also a pioneering advocate of gay rights, Bernstein was also the first to articulate a non revolutionary path to socialism in what is widely considered the founding text of modern social democracy: The Preconditions of Socialism and the Tasks of Social Democracy (1899). At stake in Bernstein's dilemma, she argued, was not just a tactical choice, a mere discussion about this or that method of struggle; it was the "very existence of the Social Democratic movement" as a distinctive force in the struggle against capitalism.

With an introduction by Brinda Karat. //What is the final aim of Marxist politics, asked Rosa Luxemburg. To improve the conditions of life under capitalism or to overthrow capitalist social relations and found a just order?//German Socialism in the late 19th century was torn on this question, with Eduard Bernstein the influential advocate for the centrality of reforms. This view was known as "revisionism" - the revision of Marxism downwards from revolution to reformism. Luxemburg argued, in this influential pamphlet, that Bernstein's revisionism would liquidate Marxist politics. She based her critique of Bernstein on her close reading of Marx and of the social dynamic of capitalism.//A remarkable riposte from this heroic Marxist intellectual.//Reform vs. Revolution appeared in German in two editions - 1899 and 1908. The present text draws from both editions, with further modifications after consultation with Sozialreform oder Revolution?, Gesammelte Werke, Bd. 1 (Berlin; Dietz Verlag, 1982).//The Introduction by Brinda Karat pays tribute to Luxemburg's revolutionary spirit, and places her argument in context.

With an introduction by Brinda Karat. //What is the final aim of Marxist politics, asked Rosa Luxemburg. To improve the conditions of life under capitalism or to overthrow capitalist social relations and found a just order?//German Socialism in the late 19th century was torn on this question, with Eduard Bernstein the influential advocate for the centrality of reforms. This view was known as "revisionism" - the revision of Marxism downwards from revolution to reformism. Luxemburg argued, in this influential pamphlet, that Bernstein's revisionism would liquidate Marxist politics. She based her critique of Bernstein on her close reading of Marx and of the social dynamic of capitalism.//A remarkable riposte from this heroic Marxist intellectual.//Reform vs. Revolution appeared in German in two editions - 1899 and 1908. The present text draws from both editions, with further modifications after consultation with Sozialreform oder Revolution?, Gesammelte Werke, Bd. 1 (Berlin; Dietz Verlag, 1982).//The Introduction by Brinda Karat pays tribute to Luxemburg's revolutionary spirit, and places her argument in context.

Social Reform or Revolution? (German: Sozialreform oder Revolution?) is an 1899 pamphlet by Polish-German Marxist theorist Rosa Luxemburg. Luxemburg argues that trade unions, reformist political parties and the expansion of social democracy, while important to the proletariat's development of class consciousness cannot create a socialist society as Eduard Bernstein, among others, argued. Instead, she argues from a historical materialist perspective that capitalism is economically unsustainable and will eventually collapse and that a revolution is necessary to transform capitalism into socialism. The pamphlet was heavily influential in revolutionary socialist circles and along with Luxemburg's other work an important precursor to left communist theory.

Social Reform or Revolution? (German: Sozialreform oder Revolution?) is an 1899 pamphlet by Polish-German Marxist theorist Rosa Luxemburg. Luxemburg argues that trade unions, reformist political parties and the expansion of social democracy, while important to the proletariat's development of class consciousness cannot create a socialist society as Eduard Bernstein, among others, argued. Instead, she argues from a historical materialist perspective that capitalism is economically unsustainable and will eventually collapse and that a revolution is necessary to transform capitalism into socialism. The pamphlet was heavily influential in revolutionary socialist circles and along with Luxemburg's other work an important precursor to left communist theory.

Social Reform or Revolution? (German: Sozialreform oder Revolution?) is an 1899 pamphlet by Polish-German Marxist theorist Rosa Luxemburg. Luxemburg argues that trade unions, reformist political parties and the expansion of social democracy, while important to the proletariat's development of class consciousness cannot create a socialist society as Eduard Bernstein, among others, argued. Instead, she argues from a historical materialist perspective that capitalism is economically unsustainable and will eventually collapse and that a revolution is necessary to transform capitalism into socialism. The pamphlet was heavily influential in revolutionary socialist circles and along with Luxemburg's other work an important precursor to left communist theory.

Social Reform or Revolution? (German: Sozialreform oder Revolution?) is an 1899 pamphlet by Polish-German Marxist theorist Rosa Luxemburg. Luxemburg argues that trade unions, reformist political parties and the expansion of social democracy, while important to the proletariat's development of class consciousness cannot create a socialist society as Eduard Bernstein, among others, argued. Instead, she argues from a historical materialist perspective that capitalism is economically unsustainable and will eventually collapse and that a revolution is necessary to transform capitalism into socialism. The pamphlet was heavily influential in revolutionary socialist circles and along with Luxemburg's other work an important precursor to left communist theory.