Communism
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Franz Mehring (1846–1919) was a crucial figure in German Marxism, serving as historian, journalist, and political activist. His works, including a biography of Marx, highlight class struggle and critique bourgeois historiography. A founding member of the KPD, he embodied the tensions within socialism and left a lasting legacy in historical and literary criticism.
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Leon Trotsky’s “In Defence of Marxism” is a critical examination of revolutionary methods amidst inner-party disputes within the Socialist Workers Party. Written in 1939-40, it emphasizes dialectical materialism, party strategy, and class analysis, providing a framework for defending the USSR while contesting Stalinism. The book’s insights on party democracy and polemic reinforce its relevance for…
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Yakov Sverdlov (1885–1919) was a key figure in the Russian Revolution, known for his organizational skills within the Bolshevik party. As the first head of the Soviet state, he played an essential role in consolidating power and developing the party-state structure. His early death curtailed a potentially significant political legacy.
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Leon Trotsky’s “Leon Trotsky Presents the Living Thoughts of Karl Marx” provides a dynamic introduction to Marxist thought, emphasizing historical materialism and the labor theory of value. Written in exile, Trotsky combines pedagogical and polemical tones, urging readers to view Marxism as a living method for social transformation rather than a static doctrine.
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Hosea Hudson (1898–1988) was a significant African American Communist leader and labor activist in the mid-20th century. His life highlights the intersection of race, class, and political radicalism. Despite facing repression, he organized Black workers and contributed to labor movements, leaving a legacy that connects Black struggle to broader socialist politics.
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Marxist economic theory provides insights into value production and inflation within capitalism. It emphasizes labor’s role in generating value, critiques capitalist exploitation, and interprets inflation as a reflection of class struggle and distributional conflicts. The evolution of capitalism, globalization, and technological change challenge traditional value concepts, prompting ongoing debates within Marxist circles.
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The essay analyzes the rise and fall of the Fourth International, founded by Trotsky in 1938. It argues that post-Trotsky leadership’s sectarianism and bureaucratic methods led to its degeneration. Ted Grant’s faction is highlighted as a true continuation of Trotskyism, advocating for adapting Marxist theory to current conditions and preserving revolutionary integrity.
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Ruth Fischer was a pivotal figure in the early European communist movement and a leader of the German Communist Party during the Weimar Republic. Her contributions reflected the tensions within revolutionary Marxism. After her expulsion from the KPD, she became an anti-Stalinist critic, publishing significant works. Fischer’s legacy illustrates the complexities of 20th-century revolutionary politics.
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Alfred Rosmer (1877–1964) was a key yet overlooked figure in early 20th-century socialist movements. A French trade unionist and anti-war activist, he evolved from anarcho-syndicalism to Bolshevism and Trotskyism. His legacy includes advocating for workers’ internationalism, historical scholarship, and principled opposition to Stalinism, reflecting essential revolutionary struggles.
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Benjamin Jefferson Davis Jr. (1903–1964) was an influential African American lawyer and Communist activist who served on the New York City Council. His legal work challenged Jim Crow laws, and he became prominent in leftist politics. Convicted under the Smith Act, Davis continued advocating for civil rights until his death, leaving a significant legacy.
Letters from Tomis 