The Defeat of One's Own Government in the Imperialist War

#2.5 - Social Reform or Revolution? Part 2

The Red Canon provides audio books of classic leftist literature. In this episode: Social Reform or Revolution Part 2. Rosa Luxemburg continues her critique of Karl Kautsky's strategy of social reform at the expense of proletarian revolution.

#2 - Social Reform or Revolution?

Rosa Luxemburg was a Marxist economist in early 20th century Germany. She changed the direction of the German Social Democratic Party with the publication of Social Reform or Revolution? at least until the patriotic lust of the Great Imperialist War overtook them and the SDP degenerated and betrayed the greater left of Germany after the German Revolution. She was assassinated by the Freikorps (militias of WW1 veterans) under orders from SDP leadership. She remains an inspirational figure to this day. Reform or Revolution is her most popular work, a refutation of the direction the SPD was going in the late 19th century it is a sharp rebuke of the tendency to focus only on the reform of capitalist society and the rejection of the need for fundamental transformation of society as a whole. Here Luxemburg predicts large segments of the 20th century. You can support the Red Canon at patreon.com/socialismisgood or by following us on Twitter @socialismisgood

The Defeat of One's Own Government in the Imperialist War

The Red Canon is a political education podcast that provides audiobooks of classics of leftist literature to the working class. Originally episode 2 was going to be Social Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemburg, although current events have demanded a slight schedule change. Call this episode 1.5 if you wish. This episode we're reading "The Defeat of One's Own Government in the Imperialist War" by VI Lenin. Red Canon is but one part of Socialism is Good, Actually, a political education project that provides basic educational resources for the working class on socialism, including zines, comics and now podcasts. You can check this out and support the project at patreon.com/socialismisgood Next month we will still be reading "Social Reform or Revolution" by Rosa Luxemburg.