Rosa Luxemburg: Writings and Reflections (Revolutionary Series) [Paperback]

Rosa Luxemburg (Editor), Paul Le Blanc (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1999 | Series: Revolutionary Series

An advocate of radical democracy and individual responsibility, Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919) remains the most eminent representative of the libertarian socialist tradition. A re-evaluation and renewal within the Left has allowed the ideas of Luxemburg to assume greater vitality and relevance today than ever before. This volume provides an essential representative sampling of Luxemburg's writings that have generally not been among those commonly anthologised. That she had a powerful impact on every generation of the 20th century is documented in the accompanying essays, which include scholarly reflections, comradely arguments, and even a loving reminiscence. Paul Le Blanc, who has been active in labour and social movements for many years, explains that the socialism that animated Luxemburg as a thinker and revolutionary activist involved a vision of society in which our economic resources would be socially owned, democratically controlled, and utilised for the benefit of all people. Luxemburg was convinced this goal could only be realised through the struggles of the working-class majority. The goals Luxemburg sought-popular sovereignty, rule by the people, democracy-were lost in the decades following her 1919 martyrdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an engaging and timely introduction to the life and thought of a great Marxist theorist." -- Science & Society, Winter 2001-02, Vol. 65, No. 4 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

As an advocate of social democracy and individual responsibility, Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919) remains the most eminent representative of the revolutionary socialist tradition. She was a radical activist who was willing to go to prison for her beliefs, including her protest of the First World War. This volume provides a representative sampling of Luxemburg's essential writings, many of which have been rarely anthologized. Her examination of capitalist "globalization" in her era, the destructive dynamics of nationalism, and other topics are joined with hard-hitting political analyses, discussions of labor movement strategy, intimate prison letters, and passionate revolutionary appeals. Among the selections are "Rebuilding the International," "What Are the Leaders Doing?" and excerpts from "The Accumulation of Capital--An Anti-Critique."

Luxemburg's powerful impact on the twentieth century is documented in the accompanying essays, which draw readers into the "discussions" that leading intellectuals and activists have had with this vibrant thinker. Included are essays by Luise Kautsky, Lelio Basso, Raya Dunayevskaya, Paul Le Blanc, Andrew Nye, and Claire Cohen. These writers engage Luxemburg's life and work in ways that enrich our understanding of her ideas and advance our thinking on issues that concerned her. This volume will benefit readers with its rich and continuing collective evaluation of this passionate revolutionary's life and thought. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Humanity Books (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573927295
• ISBN-13: 978-1573927291
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,861,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)