Page:Wilhelm Liebknecht - Socialism; What It Is and What It Seeks to Accomplish - tr. Mary Wood Simons (1899).djvu/5



Socialism to a certain extent must inevitably bear the mark of the time and country in which it is evolving. Behind and around this, however, is its primarily cosmopolitan nature. Due to this fact of its international character, that it is a movement of the world's proletariat, a pamphlet like the following will contain matter of interest for all socialists.

The entire work consists of two articles, the first of which was prepared in 1875, the second in 1894. Viewed historically, the opening article gives an excellent idea of socialist philosophy at that time. The fundamental principles of socialism are set forth with great clearness and a study of it cannot help but strengthen the sense of the certainty of those doctrines that have endured the attacks of a century.

Some few minor points will be noticed in which the position then taken differs from that of the German movement of to-day.

These are mostly attributable to the influence of Lassalle and will be seen to disappear in the second article, where the reasons for their acceptance at that time and their later rejection are explained.

The final article is a powerful summing up of the argument for socialism, with an exposition of its present philosophy, principles and tactics.

A few passages of local interest only have been omitted in the translation.

The translation of the Erfurt programme, is taken from Dr. R. T. Ely's "Socialism and Social Reform"