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98 | Reform or Revolution? (Patreon)

Published:
2024-09-27 18:22:11
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

In this episode we take on a Marxist classic, Rosa Luxemburg’s “Reform or Revolution,” in which she skewers Eduard Bernstein for being a feckless opportunist and for relinquishing the goal of socialism. Luxemburg takes on his argument that it’s possible for socialists to take increasing control of the capitalist state and progressively implement reforms that socialize the economy. Best diss track of all time. But don’t worry, we take Bernstein seriously, too. A ghost is haunting twenty-first century socialism, and it may very well be his – To rupture, or not to rupture? That is the question. 

References:

Rosa Luxemburg, “Reform or Revolution,” in The Essential Rosa Luxemburg (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2007), 41-104.

Music:

“Vintage Memories” by Schematist | schematist.bandcamp.com

“My Space” by Overu | https://get.slip.stream/KqmvAN

Files

Previews only

Comments

Michael Wiest

Thanks for this episode on Rosa Luxemburg. I was hoping you would do a discussion of her work. You are the best. Michael

Brandon Lighty

Isn’t the collusion of organized labor [leadership] and Capital one of the, at least idealized, foundations of what we now know of fascism? It has always seemed to me one of the main concerns of Luxembourg in R or R was a prediction of Bernstein’s ideological movement being subsumed (or maturing into) the thing that is now called fascism today

David fryett

Another great show by the Fab Four, thx. FYI: I tried to d'load this show and got another on Parecon. Tiny criticism: the essence of Bernstein's thesis--that which vexed RL most--was only addressed obliquely. Lotsa good discussion, lotsa pabulum, but I woulda enjoyed hearing you discuss B's revision of Marx. To wit: Marx believed that c'ism could do no other than become increasingly oppressive. There was no Gini Index then, but Marx thought that it would continue to go up and up which would cause worker revolt and in that struggle workers would develop revo class consciousness and the proletariat would get stronger n stronger and eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie. Bernstein asserted that not only was that wrong but that the oppo was true. The rise of the workers' movement had caused the Gini Index to decline. The ability to claw back some of the expropriated surplus value, B argued, had a) stabilized the c'ist economy by forcing a broader distribution of wealth, and b) given workers a stake in c'ism which is leading them to revo class consciousness but rather to a belief in mutual interest with the ruling class. And it was this belief that lead him to believe that participation in politics was the best course. I don't agree with B, but as of this moment he wins: he seems to be correct abt the proles in advanced c'ist countries being content within c'ism and in the belief that the workers' movement had tamed c'ism and rescued it from its own excesses. Marx also believed the road to socialism could be reached peacefully through political process.

Roy McGovernor

He’s done Rosa, he’s done! Oh my god, she’s got a chair! Noooo Rosa, spare him! Rosa did not in fact spare him 🫡