 Title page for The Road to Power (1909) | |
| Author | Karl Kautsky |
|---|---|
Publication date | 1909 |
Road to Power or The Road to Power is a book written by Karl Kautsky.
| Title page for The Road to Power (1909) | |
| Author | Karl Kautsky |
|---|---|
Publication date | 1909 |
Road to Power or The Road to Power is a book written by Karl Kautsky.
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]
Road to Power had a large impact on the Bolsheviks and was used to justify the October Revolution. [6]