Road to Power or The Road to Power is a book written by Karl Kautsky.

Contents

In Chapter 1 Kautsky argues that the time for revolution has not yet passed, as some on the Left alleged,[1] most importantly Eduard Bernstein.[2] Kautsky argued that the revolutionary energy of the bourgeoisie was channeled by Bismarck into a project to throw “a few German princes from their thrones”, overthrow the French Empire and support for Italian unification.[1] The cooperation between the state and bourgeoisie that prevented revolution halted the development of the proletariat.[1]

Kautsky continues to point out that in 1904, he predicted that workers would revolt in Russia, joining with the bourgeoisie to establish representative government (in 1905 a revolution led to Tsar to create the Duma, a Parliament).[3] He proceeded to note and predict a continuation of a political awakening China, India, Egypt, Morocco, Persia and Turkey.[3] He predicts that violent revolution is unlikely in Europe because of the strength of modern armies, except in Russia.[4]

In Chapters IV & V Kautsky argues that Marxism is a historical determinism because the will itself is not free.[5]

Impact

Road to Power had a large impact on the Bolsheviks and was used to justify the October Revolution.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Karl Kautsky: The Road to Power (Chap.1)". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  2. ↑ "Eduard Bernstein: Evolutionary Socialism (Preface)". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  3. 1 2 "Karl Kautsky: The Road to Power (Chap.2)". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  4. ↑ "Karl Kautsky: The Road to Power (Chap.5)". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  5. ↑ "Karl Kautsky: The Road to Power (1909)". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  6. ↑ Lih, Lars (2018). "The Tasks of Our Times: Kautsky's Road to Power in Germany and Russia". Studies in East European Thought. 70 (2–3): 121–140. doi:10.1007/s11212-018-9308-2.
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