Socialism Thinkers

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels

Key Works: The Communist Manifesto (1848), Das Kapital (1867, Marx)
Thinking: Advocated for historical materialism, class struggle, and the inevitable overthrow of capitalism by the proletariat. Argued for a dictatorship of the proletariat leading to a classless, stateless society (communism).
Agreements: Both believed in the necessity of revolution to dismantle capitalism. Engels expanded on Marx’s theories in Anti-Dühring (1878).
Disagreements: Engels was more pragmatic, sometimes presenting Marxism in a less deterministic way.
Key Dates: The Communist Manifesto (1848), Das Kapital (1867), Marx died (1883), Engels died (1895).

Rosa Luxemburg

Key Works: Reform or Revolution? (1900), The Accumulation of Capital (1913)
Thinking: Criticized reformist socialism, arguing that capitalism could not be gradually reformed into socialism. Emphasized mass strikes and revolutionary spontaneity rather than centralized control. Opposed Lenin’s idea of a vanguard party.
Agreements: Agreed with Marx on class struggle and the need for revolution.
Disagreements: Opposed Lenin’s centralism, arguing for grassroots democracy rather than a tightly controlled vanguard party.
Key Dates: Reform or Revolution? (1900), The Accumulation of Capital (1913), Murdered after the Spartacist Uprising (1919).

Beatrice Webb

Key Works: The Minority Report to the Royal Commission on the Poor Law (1909), Soviet Communism: A New Civilisation? (1935, with Sidney Webb)
Thinking: Advocated for evolutionary socialism, believing in gradual reform through democratic institutions rather than revolution. Pioneered the welfare state and supported state intervention.
Agreements: Shared Marx’s concern for inequality but rejected revolution in favor of gradual state-led reform.
Disagreements: Opposed revolutionary Marxism, rejecting the idea of the dictatorship of the proletariat. Later idealized the Soviet Union despite its authoritarianism.
Key Dates: Co-founded the Fabian Society (1884), Minority Report (1909), Soviet Communism (1935), Died (1943).