As global politics shift and radical ideologies reappear, this book is essential for understanding alternative Marxist perspectives.
Chapters:
- Left Communism: Introduces Left Communism, critiquing parliamentary methods and advocating for revolutionary action.
- Amadeo Bordiga: Highlights Bordiga’s role, opposition to reformism, and call for a disciplined revolutionary party.
- Council Communism: Examines the councilist movement, advocating workers' councils over traditional state theories.
- Ultra-leftism: Discusses spontaneity, direct action, and the rejection of compromise in ultra-left positions.
- Communist Workers' Party of Germany: Details the KAPD’s history, ideology, and influence, breaking from mainstream Marxism.
- International Communist Party: Explores the PCI’s contributions and internationalist outlook on 20th-century revolutionary strategies.
- Communist Workers' Organisation (UK): Insights into UK Left Communist activism and views on imperialism, class struggle, and the proletariat.
- Internationalist Communist Party (Italy): Analyzes the PCInt’s ideas, linking them to broader Left Communist debates.
- Onorato Damen: Highlights Damen’s critiques of reformism and return to revolutionary principles.
- Jan Appel: Examines Appel’s impact on German and Dutch councilist movements and Left Communist thought.
- Leninism: Evaluates Left Communist critiques of Leninism, contrasting with Leninist vanguardism.
- Otto Rühle: Explores Rühle’s rejection of party politics and advocacy for council democracy.
- List of Communist Ideologies: Overview of various communist ideologies, situating Left Communism within revolutionary traditions.
- Marxist Schools of Thought: Contrasts Left Communist views with other Marxist schools and revolutionary strategies.
- Internationalist–Defencist Schism: Examines the WWI split between internationalists and defencists and its implications for Left Communist theory.
- "Left-Wing" Communism: An Infantile Disorder: Critiques Lenin's work from a Left Communist viewpoint, challenging its strategies.
- Workers' Council: Explores the role of workers' councils in revolutionary organization and socialist transition.
- List of Left-Wing Internationals: Surveys global revolutionary alliances among Left Communist groups.
- Proletarian Internationalism: Investigates proletarian internationalism in Left Communist thought, emphasizing solidarity and critiquing nationalism.
- Lotta Comunista: Offers insights into contemporary movements like Lotta Comunista and their relevance today.
- Outline of Marxism: Summarizes Marxist principles through Left Communism, reflecting on revolutionary theory’s evolution.
