Marx, Yugoslavia and the limits of revolutionary philosophy : roots of the unperfect society

Harrison, Judith (1993) Marx, Yugoslavia and the limits of revolutionary philosophy : roots of the unperfect society. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

This is a study of ambiguities in the practical and theoretical process of development of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia (CPY) during the period culminating in the establishment of the executive cadre led by Tito after 1940 which eventually gained governing power.

The method juxtaposes interpretations of historical background, communist and Party history, Marx's writing and philosophy, theoretical and practical revisions of Marxism, and its practical and strategic application. It does so within the cultural traditions from which Marxism claimed a rational historical insight, comparing Myth with Enlightenment rationality (Chapter I). It examines aspects of (minimally industrialized) Yugoslav society (Chapter II). In the final chapters it distinguishes between its revolutionary reformers, examining Marxist leadership (Chapter III) and The Communist Party (Chapter IV) independently. Each looks at various interpretations of its subject and their conclusions, acknowledging Marxist and liberal perspectives on causes and objectives and on human nature and historiography.

The study shows that not only the structure but also many of the underlying assumptions of the CPY were in tension with many of its aims and strategies; that the background from which its beliefs and ideals originated were often in conflict or were incorrectly understood. Solutions to difficulties in the agricultural society were as problematic for Marxists as for economic liberals. Between the reality of a leadership power monopoly, and the theory of Party impulsion, not only was the progressive element countered but the legitimation of a structure of authority within a Marxist account flawed.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics