📖 Overview
The First Socialist Schism examines the conflict between Marx and Bakunin that split the International Working Men's Association in the 1870s. This historical analysis traces the fundamental disagreements about power, authority, and revolutionary strategy that emerged between the two influential thinkers and their followers.
The book draws on extensive primary sources, including correspondence, meeting minutes, and contemporary publications from both sides of the divide. Through these documents, it reconstructs the day-to-day dynamics of the dispute and its impact on the broader socialist movement.
Eckhardt presents the context of 19th century European radical politics and the specific events that led to the schism. The narrative follows the mounting tensions and ideological battles that played out in the IWMA's conferences and internal communications.
This work illuminates core questions about the relationship between socialism and state power that continue to resonate in contemporary political movements. The schism it documents represents a pivotal moment that shaped the development of both Marxist and anarchist traditions.
👀 Reviews
Readers emphasize the book's detail and academic rigor in examining the conflict between Marx and Bakunin. Multiple reviewers note it provides primary source documents and translations not previously available in English.
Liked:
- Clear chronological presentation of historical events
- Extensive footnotes and source material
- Balanced treatment of both Marx and Bakunin's positions
- New translations of First International documents
Disliked:
- Dense academic writing style
- Requires significant background knowledge
- Price point (~$120 for hardcover)
- Limited availability outside academic libraries
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.5/5 (11 ratings)
Amazon: No ratings available
LibraryThing: 4/5 (3 ratings)
Review snippets:
"Meticulously researched but tough going for casual readers" - Goodreads reviewer
"Finally brings critical source materials to English-speaking audiences" - LibraryThing review
"Expensive but worth it for serious scholars" - Academia.edu comment
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 The book explores the historic split between Karl Marx and Mikhail Bakunin, which fundamentally shaped modern socialist and anarchist movements for generations to come.
🔷 Author Wolfgang Eckhardt spent over 30 years researching and collecting materials for this comprehensive work, including previously unpublished documents and correspondence.
🔷 The schism detailed in the book occurred within the International Workingmen's Association (First International) between 1872-1877, leading to two competing organizations claiming to be the true International.
🔷 Many of the original source materials used in the book were believed lost during World War II but were later discovered in Amsterdam's International Institute of Social History.
🔷 The English translation of this book (2016) includes extensive annotations and references that weren't available in the original German edition, making it an even more valuable resource for scholars and students.