Synopses & Reviews
Cultural Writing. Political Science. NEW APPROACHES TO SOCIALIST HISTORY showcases a range of new writing demonstrating the vitality of socialist history today. The activities of social movements are analyzed in specific struggles, from the Chartist campaign of the nineteenth century, through the strikes of the early twentieth century, to the Seattle protests of 1999. Leadership issues are approached in biographical chapters on European and American trade unionists, and the radical British politician Stafford Cripps. The role of class in history is examined through accounts of left-wing politics in post-war Egypt and class issues in the American Civil War. Fascinating in themselves, the contributions to this book -- through their focus on leadership and revolt, class organization and protest -- also offer a valuable insight into recent anti-capitalist struggles.
Synopsis
Focusing on the issues of leadership and revolt, class organization, and the dynamics of protest, this book showcases a range of critical interpretations of class struggle and socialist history. Comparing the Chartists, the new unionism of the 1880s, and the Seattle protests of 1999, the arguments presented suggest that even though moments when social changes arise are not predictable, the character and subsequent development of the movements are shaped by their prehistory. Specific case studies are offered that analyze rank-and-file organizations, the leadership of trade unionist Terence Powderly, class politics during the American Civil War, and left-wing organization in post-1945 Egypt.