On anti-semitism and socialism

More about the book

This collection of twelve essays addresses historical research on anti-Semitism and the international socialist movement, including a chapter on German refugee historians returning to East Germany post-1945. It investigates the evolving relationship between workers’ emancipation and the fight against anti-Semitism from the Communist Manifesto to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Unlike many contemporary writings that celebrate socialism's defeat, this volume seeks to uphold a radical democratic perspective rooted in moral integrity and internationalism, countering nationalism and anti-Semitism. It highlights the uncompromising spirit of communist intellectuals like Leon Trotsky and Arthur Rosenberg, while also addressing their political missteps that contributed to the downfall of a more libertarian communism. The concentration of power within party bureaucracies led to repressive measures against those embodying the internationalist spirit, particularly affecting Jews and non-Jewish re-immigrants. Despite current political issues overshadowing these discussions, understanding the historical context remains crucial. With rising anti-Semitism, unresolved Middle Eastern conflicts, and increasing refugee numbers, this collection emphasizes the importance of reexamining the workers’ movement's legacy on its own terms, rather than through the lens of a repressive state ideology.