The Study Of Karl Kautsky's View On Marxism

This paper studies the view on Marxism of Karl Kautsky—a very controversial figure on the development of Marxism.Kautsky's view on Marxism plays a vital role in the history of the development of Marxist view. First of all, he gained direct guidance and teaching from the founder of Marxism, formed his own theory, actively participated in practical activities of the Second International and the German Social Democratic Party and enjoyed the reputation of the well-known Second International theorist. His view on Marxism has a strong representation. Secondly, Kautsky's rich interpretation of Marxism has had a profound impact. A lot of modern Western Marxism schools have the factor of Kautsky's thought. The Nordic democratic socialism has a direct connection with Kautsky. As an outstanding Marxist in the history, Kautsky made a great contribution to the interpretation, the defence, and the spread of Marxism on the one hand and did valuable research in the proletariat's path of liberation in the new era and the new mission faced by them on the other hand.Kautsky 's view on Marxism includes unique views of "What is Marxism" and "how to deal with the Marxism". These two issues mutually connect and constirut the content of Kautsky's view on Marxism. Once Kautsky's view on Marxism formed, it in turn influenced his subsequent thought and practice. Kautsky's theory and practice are very rich spiritual legacy that is worth of excavation in the history of the development of Marxism.This paper is not a review of Kautsky's theoretical contribution, nor is it a study of Kautsky's status in the history of the international labor movement, but a preliminary inspection and analysis of Kautsky's view on Marxism.The full text composes of the introduction and the body. The body includes four chapters and a conclusion.The research target of this paper is Kautsky 's view on Marxism, specially narrow sense view on Marxism. There is not only connection but also difference between Kautsky's view on Marxism and Marxist thought. Research in Kautsky's view on Marxism now has great theoretical and practical significance. The academia has done some research in Kautsky's thought and Kautsky's view on Marxism and achieved encouraging results. However these previous efforts are not enough. Such study should be strengthened. Based on previous academic achievements, this paper further explores Kautsky's view on Marxism, adopting the method of literature investigation, comparision, and macro-thinking.Kautsky's view on Marxism was not formed by accident but was influenced by a variety of factors. Objectively speaking, capitalism developed into the stage of imperialism; the rise of new trends in the labor movement, and the debates within the Second International provide conditions for the formation of Kautsky's view on Marxism. The subjective conditions of the formation of Kautsky's view on Marxism have the following four aspects: a good cultural quality, a solid knowledge base and broad perspective; profound internationalism complex and persue of freedom and democracy; academic integrity of curiousness and diligency; conscious participation in revolutionary practice and acceptance of education from Marx and Engels.Once Kautsky's view on Marxism was formed, it went through a complicated development process. This process can be divided into three phases: the first phase is the formation of Kautsky's view on Marxism; the second phase is the improvement of Kautsky's view on Marxism; the third phase is the differentiation between Kautsky's view on Marxism and Bolshevik-style view on Marxism.Kautsky's view on Marxism has a rich content. It can generally be divided into two areas: what is Marxism, and how to deal with Marxism. Kautsky elaborated on what is Marxism from the aspects of the occurrence, development, nature, basic features, the value of destiny and history. About how to deal with Marxism, Kautsky emphasized: we should be loyal to the original intent of Marxism, and " should not distort the original intent ",accept Marxism with understanding but should not be satisfied with seeming acceptance,we should adopt the approach of "indoctrination" to disseminate Marxism and go deep among the masses; the key to the study of Marxism is to grasp the scientific method of Marxism; we should adhere to the guidance of Marxism, "act according to the theoretical basis of Marxism",we should not gain dogmatic understanding of Marxism, but develop Marxism according to the change of time, we should realize the nationalization and localization of Marxism,we should not develop sectarianism and Marxism "should not become a state religion",be brave to give up out-of-date opinions of the founders of Marxism; stick to the belief in Marxism and do not have to feel sorry for blievers who changed their belief midway, take the application and dissemination of Marxism as a lifetime sacred mission.Kautsky's view on Marxism has great historical and realistic significance. Kautsky's view on Marxism is the essential precondition for his outstanding contribution in theory and practice. It expands and deepens Marx and Engels' view on Marxsim, and set an example for future generations in establishing scientific view of Marxism. It is very valuable to our adherence to the belief of Marxsim, development of Marxism in the new journey of history, and promotion of the cause of socialism. Kautsky's view on Marxism is an integral part of the study of Marxism,and is of great value to the study of Marxsim. Certainly, Kautsky's view on Marxism also has its historical limitations.