Trotsky Trotskyism And The Transition To Socialism

Written from a critical socialist standpoint, this book provides an analysis of Trotskyism which argues that it is increasingly irrelevant as a means of achieving socialism.

The essays in this volume deal with various aspects of the history of the revolutionary socialist current in the United States that came to be identified as "American Trotskyism". One of the most dynamic currents in the U.S. left from the late 1920s to the 1980s, deeply committed to working-class democracy and internationalism, it had an intellectual and political impact well beyond the number of its members. The essays in this volume offer the most definitive history of that movement to be produced so far, giving a sense of some of its most colorful personalities and outstanding achievements--as well as its serious limitations.

Leon Trotsky was the most important contributor to the development of revolutionary Marxism this century, after Lenin. As exiled militant or Soviet statesman, party organizer or public orator, as political analyst, soldier or commentator on cultural trends, he was centrally involved in the world-historic upheavals of his time and foremost among the interpreters of their significance for socialism. Yet the fate of his achievement was dramatically discrepant from Lenin's. At the latter's death in 1924, his revolutionary authority was at its zenith. In the Soviet Union his writings were consecrated as repository of a finished dogma, 'Leninism'. Abroad, his thought was interpreted in way much closer to its own original spirit by Georg Lukcs, whose remarkable Lenin sought to elicit its unity and actuality for a later revolutionary generation. In polar contrast, factional assault, official disgrace and proscription, anathema and slander, were the conditions of Trotsky's later life and activity-until his assassination in 1940-and the unvarying background of any reaffirmation of his heritage for decades afterwards. Systematic publication of his writings was beyond the means of his political followers-whose internal discussions of his ides were supplemented only by the attentions of liberal (where not reactionary) academics. In the last decade, however, with the resurgence of the political formations associated with his name, Trotsky's political role and ideas have again become topics of vigorous debate among socialists. Ernest Mandel's book makes possible a necessary extension of this debate by providing the first ever synthetic account of the development of Trotsky's Marxism in its successive encounters with the key problems and crises of the epoch. The Russian revolution and the theme of uneven development, the construction of revolutionary parties, the struggle against fascism and imperialism at large, the nature of Stalinism and the prospect of a full socialist democracy, are all discussed in a compact study that makes a fitting and long overdue counterpart to Lukcs's historic study of fifty years ago.

Contains discussions between leaders of the U.S. Socialist Workers Party and exiled revolutionary Leon Trotsky in 1938. The product of these discussions, a program of immediate, democratic, and transitional demands, was adopted by the SWP later that year. This program for socialist revolution remains an irreplaceable component of a fighting guide for communist workers today. Introductions by Joseph Hansen and George Novack, notes, index.

This last of three documentary volumes, U.S. Trotskyism 1928-1965. Part III: Resurgence, spans 1954 to 1965, and includes a rich selection of primary sources on labor and social struggles, intellectual history, and the revolutionary impact of Leon Trotsky’s perspectives on U.S. socialism.

Discover the essence of Trotskyism with "Trotskyism," a key addition to the Political Science series. This book offers a comprehensive look into Trotskyism's revolutionary ideas, historical significance, and current relevance. Ideal for scholars, students, and those intrigued by this powerful ideology, it delivers critical insights into Trotskyism’s influence on political thought. 1-Trotskyism: Core principles and revolutionary critiques of traditional Marxism. 2-Leon Trotsky: Trotsky’s life, role in the Russian Revolution, and Marxist theories. 3-Leninism: Comparisons between Leninism and Trotskyism. 4-Fourth International: Trotsky’s global socialist revolution goals. 5-Bolshevism: Trotsky's support and criticism of Bolshevik strategies. 6-Revolutionary Socialist League (U.S.): The impact of American Trotskyism on U.S. politics. 7-Communism: Trotskyism within the broader revolutionary context. 8-Ideology of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union: Trotskyism vs. Soviet ideology. 9-Marxist Schools of Thought: Trotskyism’s interactions with various Marxist theories. 10-Third Camp: The alternative to capitalism and Stalinism in Trotskyist thought. 11-State Socialism: Trotskyism’s critique and vision for democratic socialism. 12-Revolutionary Socialism: The principles and implications of Trotsky’s socialism. 13-Degenerated Workers' State: Trotskyist critique of Stalinist regimes. 14-Dictatorship of the Proletariat: Trotsky’s views on advancing socialism. 15-Vanguardism: Impact of Trotskyist vanguardism on revolutionary strategy. 16-Socialism in One Country: Trotsky’s opposition to Stalin’s policies. 17-Socialist State: Trotsky’s vision of a socialist state. 18-United Front: The united front tactic in Trotskyist alliances. 19-Proletarian Internationalism: The centrality of internationalism in Trotskyism. 20-Permanent Revolution: The significance of Trotsky’s permanent revolution theory. 21-Foundations of Leninism: How Leninism influenced Trotsky’s theories. This book is an invaluable resource for understanding Trotskyism and its profound impact on revolutionary politics.

Written by two long-time scholar/activists, this book is a detailed history of the Trotskyist movement set against the background of the Russian Revolution and the evolution of Soviet society. As the first comprehensive study of the subject in English, Trotskyism and the Dilemma of Socialism traces the ideas and activities of the Trotskyist movement over six decades and five continents. The history is paced within the context of the attempts by Trotsky and the movement to understand the nature of the evolving Soviet society, as in Trotsky's theory of the degenerated workers' state. Particularly valuable is the authors' in-depth analysis of the Soviet economy.