The Rise and Fall of the European Left

Goucher College	John Boughton
Department of History	VM 161
History 231	Ext. 6278
Fall 2004	Office hours: Tues/Thurs 2.00-3.00pm
Tues/Thurs 12.00 - 1.15pm
History Department website: http://www.goucher.edu/history/	Email: jboughto@goucher.edu

In contrast to the US, left-wing politics in Europe has been powerful and influential. The Left is defined in the presence and interaction of two forces: ideology and organisation. By ideology we mean a critical analysis of contemporary society and a belief that it could be reformed for the better; by organisation, the existence of some coherent force that sought to actualise this ideology. Organisation itself comprised two - usually - distinct elements: intellectuals who sought to provide the ideas of the movement, and social groups or classes (usually lower-class) who were receptive to these ideas. The course will examine these and their interaction since the French Revolution of 1789.

The French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution (which may be simply dated to begin at around the same time) are conventionally but appropriately taken to mark the beginning of the modern Left. The ideas of the Enlightenment and their increasingly radical implementation during the French Revolution form the starting point for most subsequent criticisms of contemporary society. The Industrial Revolution, by its concentration of production and consequent demographic impact, created a social force - a working class broadly defined - which became the most favoured vehicle by which progressive reform could be achieved.

Since 1789, the Left has transmuted many times. The popular radicalism of the early 19^th century demanded principally political reform but increasingly radicals came to belief that this in itself would be insufficient to achieve the social justice which they sought. The Left came to demand economic change, and socialism - taken here to mean some form of collective ownership or co-ordination of the means of production - developed as both a programme of reform and a prescription for future society. While those who came later to be described (pejoratively) as Utopian Socialists believed that change could be brought about peacefully and through social consensus, Karl Marx, who emerged as a major figure of the later 19^th century European Left, argued vehemently that class war and revolution were inevitable. Lenin reinterpreted Marx’s theories and applied them to Russia and in turn became a major influence on those who advocated revolutionary change.

Though Marxism and Leninism acquired great influence, the mainstream of European Left - the Social Democratic Left - continued nevertheless to believe that peaceful transformation was possible. It sought increasingly - and in varying degrees - to adapt and reform capitalism through parliamentary means. Meanwhile, Marxism itself was adapted and reformulated by a divergent range of theorists to address what were seen by many as both the failings of contemporary Communism and the limitations of social democratic reform.

Finally, we have witnessed a collapse of those societies which claimed to be Marxist in their orientation and Marxism as a programme of change. Coincidentally, the Social Democratic Left has also become more accepting of capitalism to the extent that some argue that left-wing politics worthy of the name is now a spent force.

Course Structure

Classes will consist of lectures, discussions, debate, and the analysis of historical sources. You will be expected to attend class, participate in discussion, keep up with the assigned readings and complete the written work on time, as well as take a midterm and final exam. It is especially important that you study the assigned reading before the scheduled discussion, and that you bring the book and/or handout to class.

Attendance Policy

While you may be excused for religious holidays, serious illnesses and family emergencies, attendance at all other classes is mandatory. Attendance will be registered. Students with three unexpected absences during the semester will receive an “F” for class participation which will drop your overall grade in the course by one full letter grade. You must contact me in the event of excused absences and let me know why you were unable to attend class. In any event, you are expected to know and learn what went on in class whether you were present or not.

Written Assignments

Students are required to complete three written assignments in the form of essays and discussion papers. Fuller details will be provided in class and on the course website.

Assignment 1: What were the character and ideology of left-wing politics in the years 1789 to 1848? How did this politics reflect changes in contemporary society? Due Thursday 14 October

Assignment 2: To what extent was the Social Democratic Party of Germany a Marxist Party before the First World War?

Assignment 3: Why the Third Way?

You must obtain permission from me before submitting written work electronically; your e-mail submission must be sent “with return receipt,” and you will bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the written work has in fact been received.

Note the following guidance

Advice on writing essays

Rules on Plagiarism

Assignment Grading Rubric

Late Paper Policy

It is important that you hand in this work on time. Extensions will be granted only in cases of illness or family emergency. Late papers without an extension will be marked down one third of a grade per day past the deadline (for example, from a B to a B- if the paper was due on Wednesday but submitted on Thursday). If you are having problems completing the assignment, these must be discussed with me before the paper is due.

Exams

Midterm Exam: Due Tuesday 23 November
End of Term Exam: Due ?? December

Grades

Attendance and participation 15%

Assignment I 10%

Midterm Exam 15%

Assignment II 15%

Assignment III 20%

Final Exam 25%

Books to Purchase

Albert Lindemann, A History of European Socialism
Albert Fried and Ronald Sanders (eds), Socialist Thought. A Documentary History
Dick Geary, Labour and Socialist Movements in Europe before1914

Readings

Lindemann offers a sound academic analysis. Fried and Sanders will enable you to access the original texts and formulate your own thought and questions on the developing ideas of the Left. A background in history of the period is useful. We will seek to discuss this as we go along but please clarify your understanding by reading a good textbook: the three books by Eric Hobsbawm (The Age Of Revolution, 1789-1848, The Age Of Capital, 1848-1875, The Age Of Empire, 1875-1914), available in the Library, are useful.

I have tried to be realistic in the readings set. For the primary readings from Fried and Sanders, I would prefer that students read the entire document - it should be possible to skim read and pick out the most salient points. Nevertheless, I have indicated what I feel to be the most important sections by the page references provided. You should certainly read the authors’ introduction to the texts which provide very useful context and explanation.

Please note that the suggested reading contained in this handout is a starting point and that further guidance will be issued in class and published on the course webpage as the course progresses. The webpage will also contain live links to recommended websites or online resources.