Rosa Luxemburg Flashcards
Dates
1871-1919
Who was she
Member of social democrat party in Germany
Developed Marxist socialism
Early publication
Reform or revolution 1900
Human nature
Agreed wi Marx-capitalism promoted exploitation at odds w human nature
Evolutionary socialism was impossible
What did Luxembourg think about Marx historicism
Denied capitalism had to reach an advanced stage for revolution to occur
How did she think revolution could occur
Spontaneously
After class consc had been brought about through battle for progress in workplace
Mass strike action would happen- lead to wider revolutionary movement
Overthrow capitalist state
Instead of dictatorship of the proletariat what did Luxembourg say should happen after the revolution
New democracy
Underpinned by common ownership, open debate+elections
How was Luxembourg more faithful to Marx ideas than Lenin
Upheld internationalism
Not social nationalism
She said should be international revolt against capitalism
Why did she oppose the war in 1914
‘Enemy of socialism remains in our own country’
Left SDP- they supported war efforts
What did Luxembourg help to establish after the war
German communist party
Conventional Marxist didn’t like they contested- went against marx rejection of evolutionary socialism
She said a foothold in political system= easier to send revolution message to proletarian voters
human nature summary
not been damaged as much as marx said fraternity still flourished in working class communities
the state summary
capitalist state destroyed by revolution
arise from strike action
replacement state=democracy+free elections
society summary
capitalist society=class ridden sub cultures/ alternative societies do exist in proletarian communities
economy summary
capitalism is harder to defeat than marx said
require determination+strong solidarity amongst proletariat
