Bernstein: The Preconditions of Socialism (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

This is the first complete new translation of Eduard Bernstein's (1850-1932) famous and influential work. It will provide students with an accurate and unabridged edition of the classic defense of democratic socialism and the first significant critique of revolutionary Marxism from within the socialist movement. First published in 1899, at the height of the Revisionist Debate, it argued that capitalism was not heading for the major crisis predicted by Marx, and that socialism could be achieved by piecemeal reform within a democratic constitutional framework. Bernstein's work is the focal point of one of the most important political debates of modern times, and crucial for the light it casts on "the crisis of Communism." Principal Events In Bernstein's Life -- 1. The Basic Tenets Of Marxist Socialism. (a). The Scientific Elements Of Marxism. (b). The Materialist Conception Of History And Historical Necessity. (c). The Marxist Doctrine Of Class Conflict And The Development Of Capital -- 2. Marxism And The Hegelian Dialectic. (a). The Pitfalls Of The Hegelian Dialectical Method. (b). Marxism And Blanquism -- 3. The Economic Development Of Modern Society. (a). Remarks On The Meaning Of Marx's Theory Of Value. (b). The Distribution Of Income In Modern Society. (c). Occupational Classes In The Production And Distribution Of Social Wealth. (d). Crises And The Ability Of The Modern Economy To Adapt -- 4. The Tasks And Opportunities Of Social Democracy. (a). The Political And Economic Prerequisites Of Socialism. (b). The Effectiveness Of Economic Cooperatives. (c). Democracy And Socialism. (d). The Most Immediate Tasks Of Social Democracy. Eduard Bernstein ; Edited And Translated By Henry Tudor. Includes Bibliographical References (p. Xxxix-xli) And Index. This 1993 book was the first complete new translation of Bernstein's famous and influential work. It will provide students with an accurate and unabridged edition of the classic defence of democratic socialism and the first significant critique of revolutionary Marxism from within the socialist movement. First published in 1899, at the height of the Revisionist Debate, it argued that capitalism was not heading for the major crisis predicted by Marx, and that socialism could be achieved by piece-meal reform within a democratic constitutional framework. Bernstein's work is the focal point of one of the most important political debates of modern times, and crucial for the light it casts on 'the crisis of Communism'. The introduction sites Bernstein's work in its historical and intellectual context, and this edition also provides students with all the necessary reference material for understanding this important text A 1993 translation of Bernstein's famous and influential work. It will provide students with an accurate and unabridged edition of the classic defence of democratic socialism and the first significant critique of revolutionary Marxism from within the socialist movement.