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Socialist jingoism has another "Marxian" theory to the effect that Socialism is based on a speedy development of capitalism, that "my country’s development will accelerate the evolution which will hasten the advent of Socialism, whereas my country’s defeat would retard its economic development and likewise the inauguration of Socialism." Such a theory à la Struve, is being developed amongst us Russians by Plekhanov, and among the Germans by Lensch and others. Kautsky argues against this crude theory, in opposition to Lensch, who defends it openly, and against Cunow, who supports it in a more guarded way. But Kautsky argues merely to the end that he may bring about the reconciliation of the Socialist jingoes of all countries on the basis of a more refined and a still more jesuitical jingoistic theory.
We need not tarry over the examination of this crude theory. Struve’s "Critical Notes" appeared in 1894, and in the course of twenty years the Russian Socialists had ample time to acquaint themselves with this "method" whereby educated Russians of the middle class propagate their views and desires under the guise of "Marxism" purged of its revolutionary features. Struvism[1] is not only a Russian, but, as recent events have shown most clearly, it is an international striving of bourgeois theoreticians, to kill Marxism "by kindness"; to strangle it in an embrace and by a would-be recognition of "all the truly scientific" aspects and elements of Marxism, save its "demagogic Utopian-Blanquist propaganda" aspect. To put it in other words, from Marxism is to be taken everything that is acceptable to the Liberal bourgeoisie, including the fight for reforms and the class struggle (without the dictatorship of the proletariat), including a "general" recognition of "Socialist ideals" and the substitution of a "new system" for capitalism. This means the destruction of the living soul of Marxism, its revolutionary character.
Marxism is a theory of the proletariat’s march to freedom. It is clear, therefore, that class-conscious workers must pay great attention to the process by which Struvism is being substituted for Marxism. The motive powers of this process are manifold and varied. We shall note the three principal:—
- ↑ The teaching of Professor Struve, a well-known Russian Liberal.―Trans.
