Rosa Luxemburg’s Reform or Revolution (1899) is a critical response to Eduard Bernstein’s revisionist socialism, arguing that social revolution is necessary to achieve socialism rather than gradual reforms within capitalism. Below is an outline of the key arguments in her work:

Outline of Reform or Revolution

I. Introduction

• Explanation of the debate between reformists and revolutionaries within socialism.

• Critique of Eduard Bernstein’s revisionist socialism, which advocates gradual reform over revolution.

• Luxemburg’s central thesis: Reforms are important, but they cannot replace the need for a socialist revolution.

II. The Problem with Revisionism

• Bernstein’s Revisionism:

• Argues that capitalism can evolve into socialism through democratic reforms.

• Suggests economic crises are not fatal to capitalism and that institutions like labor unions and cooperative businesses can gradually transform society.

• Luxemburg’s Critique:

• Reformist strategies fail to address the root contradictions of capitalism.

• Capitalist development does not eliminate economic crises but rather exacerbates them.

• The working class cannot achieve socialism solely through parliamentary means.

III. The Limits of Economic Reforms

• Luxemburg acknowledges that reforms (e.g., labor laws, social welfare policies) can improve workers’ conditions.

• However, reforms are inherently limited because they operate within the framework of capitalism.

• The ruling class ultimately controls the state and economic power, limiting the effectiveness of reforms.

IV. The Role of Class Struggle

• Emphasizes the necessity of class struggle as the driving force of social change.

• Economic reforms and political gains are byproducts of workers’ struggles, not gifts from the ruling class.

• The working class must maintain revolutionary consciousness rather than settle for minor improvements.

V. Why Revolution is Necessary

• Capitalism is inherently unstable due to recurring economic crises and class conflicts.

• The capitalist state serves the interests of the bourgeoisie and will not peacefully allow socialism.

• Only a proletarian revolution can fundamentally change the mode of production and abolish class exploitation.

VI. The Danger of Reformism

• Reformism misleads the working class into believing capitalism can be tamed or reformed into socialism.

• Without revolutionary action, reforms risk being rolled back or co-opted by the ruling class.

• Social democracy must remain committed to revolution rather than compromise with capitalism.

VII. Conclusion

• Reform and revolution are not mutually exclusive, but reform alone cannot achieve socialism.

• The working class must use both economic struggles and political action to advance toward a revolutionary transformation.

• Luxemburg reaffirms the necessity of Marxist principles and revolutionary struggle to overthrow capitalism.

This work remains a foundational critique of reformist socialism and a key text in Marxist revolutionary thought. Would you like a summary of any particular section in more detail?