New Book 'Beyond Bolshevism' Explores Lives of 4 Key Left-Communist Figures
A new book, 'Beyond Bolshevism', explores the lives and political ideologies of four key figures who significantly shaped the early Weimar Republic's left-communist movement. Written by Rhena Stürmer, the book offers a unique, actor-centered perspective on the transformation of the labor movement and contributes to the history of political ideas in the 20th century.
Stürmer's book traces the evolution of Karl Schröder, Alexander Schwab, Bernhard Reichenbach, and Adam Scharrer's worldviews from the German Empire to the 1970s. It illustrates how their individual life courses intertwined with major political and social upheavals, such as the early Weimar Republic, the rise of National Socialism, and Stalinism in the 1930s and 40s. The book is based on Stürmer's award-winning doctoral thesis, which examined these individuals' experiences and adaptations across different political systems.
The four figures distinguished themselves from other left-wing currents, particularly the Soviet model. They advocated for the council principle, a form of direct democracy where workers have decision-making power. After the failure of the Communist Workers' Party of Germany, they continued to engage politically and critique society in fields like literature, education, or journalism.
'Beyond Bolshevism' is published by Wallstein Verlag, with 416 pages and 11 partly colored illustrations. It costs €49.00 and is also available as OpenAccess via doi.org/10.46500/83535940. The book offers a fresh perspective on the history of political ideas and the labor movement, providing valuable insights into the lives and ideologies of four influential left-communist figures.
