Bernstein The Preconditions of Socialism [Hardcover]

A 1993 translation of Bernstein's classic defence of democratic socialism.The first complete new translation of Bernstein's influential work, originally published in 1899, provides an unabridged edition of his classic defense of democratic socialism and the first significant critique of revolutionary Marxism from within the movement.The first complete new translation of Bernstein's influential work, originally published in 1899, provides an unabridged edition of his classic defense of democratic socialism and the first significant critique of revolutionary Marxism from within the movement.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. Editor's notes; Introduction; Principal events in Bernstein's life; Bibliographical note; Foreword; 1. The basic tenets of Marxist socialism; 2. Marxism and the Hegelian dialectic; 3. The economic development of modern society; 4. The tasks and the opportunities of social democracy; Conclusion; The final goal and the movement. Its timely appearance gives students of political theory another reason to be thankful for this marvellous series of Cambridge Texts. Mark Garnett, Times Literary Supplement