Draft:Pseudopedia/Revisionism
The main editor of this article The author of the article was unironically as unbiased as she could be. |
Revisionism represents various ideas, principles, and theories that are based on a revision of Marxism. By revision of Marxism, it means the revision of the most basic principle of Marxism, which is not seeking the emancipation of the proletariat.
Revisionism is bourgeoise ideologies which presents itself under a marxist coat of paint.
Origins of the Term
Revisionism began to be used as a term in Marxist circles at the end of the 19th century, after Eduard Bernstein, previusly an acquaintance of Engels and Marx, published several books which where seen as revisionist, he also attacked communist revolutionaries Vladimir Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg.
Types
Times of Marx
Gotha Program
Bernstein
Eduard Bernstein, after the death of Engels, wrote several works which where compiled in english as "Evolutionary Socialism". In the book, Bernstein attacked the Marxist conception of the state, and called for peaceful transition to socialism. According to Bernstein, violent revolution only produced reactionary sucesses, such as the counterrevolution in France in 1848. To Bernstein, the flaws of capitalism would correct themselves as it developed, bringing in opportunity to peaceful transition.
Bernstein was also sympathetic to Colonialism. According to Berntein:
"races who are hostile to or incapable of civilisation cannot claim our sympathy when they revolt against civilisation" "savages [must] be subjugated and made to conform to the rules of higher civilisation".
Bernstein was repudiated first by both Rosa Luxemburg and Vladimir Lenin. Rosa's criticism was fundamental, as himself, aswell as the entirety of the "right wing" of the SPD (German Social-Democratic Party) where expelled. Bernstein later rejoined the party and became a member of the reichstag until 1928.