Recent years have seen a massive growth of interest in socialism, particularly among young people. But few are fully aware of socialism ''s revolutionary history. For this reason, an appreciation of the Second International--often called the "Socialist International"--during its Marxist years is particularly relevant.
From 1889 to 1912 resolutions of the Second International helped disseminate and popularize a revolutionary aim: the overturn of capitalism and its replacement by the democratic rule of the working class, as a first step toward socialism.
Despite weaknesses and contradictions that led to the Second International ''s collapse in 1914, its resolutions during these years remain a resource for those studying the socialist movement ''s history and objectives. Many of the topics dealt with--war and militarism, immigration, trade unions and labor legislation, women ''s rights, colonialism, socialist strategy and tactics--remain just as relevant today.
This book is the first English-language collection ever assembled of all the resolutions adopted by congresses of the Second International in its Marxist years.
