Back to Bernstein! On the latest publications about Eduard Bernstein and the reasons for its success
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This paper aims to highlight and contextualize the renewed international interest in German socialist Eduard Bernstein, considered the father of “Reformism” and revision of Marxism. First of all, it offers a general reminder of Bernstein’s biography, who remained in political history for the role he played in the “Revisionist Debate” against Kautsky and Rosa Luxembourg. Then, this paper recalls the historical conditions for the resurgence of this key figure of socialism, going from an original misunderstanding, maintained throughout most of the 20th century by political polarization, to a rediscovery and a progressive rehabilitation. Third, this paper explains Bernstein’s understanding of the economic transformations of the late 19th century and the wait-and-see attitude of his party, the SPD. Against “revolutionary inaction”, Bernstein proposed the path of “democratic socialism”, consisting of a general democratization of society, through “systematic reforms”. This “democratic socialism”, “revolutionary reformism”, was seen by Bernstein as an ambitious policy, faithful to Marx, which did not give up the will to go beyond capitalism. Finally, the article presents the most recent publications about Bernstein (2018-2021).
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