Militarism and anti-militarism

by Karl Liebknecht

Millions marched and protested against the military invasion of Iraq. Millions more have protested against the military occupation of Afghanistan. These antiwar sentiments publicly expressed are a reflection of a deeply rooted anti-militarism. Yet wars and militarism abound. War, according to Karl Liebknecht, "is for profit between the capitalist classes of the world powers," and the maintenance of an army ensures their retention of power. In this book, which is one of the great classics of anti-militarism, Liebknecht examines the ways in which militarism is promoted and maintained; reviews the harsh punishments meted out to soldiers, anti-militarists, and war resisters; and surveys the activities of anti-militarists, both specific tactics and the underlying philosophy. The Duluth Herald (Minnesota) predicted there "will come a time in Germany when Karl Liebknecht, pilloried and imprisoned today for daring to speak the truth, will rank higher in the list of German heroes than the Kaiser." It was an accurate prediction, says Professor Philip Foner, historian at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, who went on to add, "unfortunately his classic book is out of print." Militarism and Anti-Militarism is now available again, important in these times. Karl Liebknecht (1871â 1919) was a member of the Reichstag who was imprisoned during World War I as an anti-militarist Social Democrat. He was a founding member, with Rosa Luxemburg, of the German Communist Party (KPD) in 1918, and he led an unsuccessful revolt in Berlin in January 1919. Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were murdered by the German right wing immediately thereafter.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Theory, Philosophy, War, History, Germany

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1907

Reviews

[Natú · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seminal work on the nature of militarism vis-a-vis class warfare both within and outside of a given country. In it, Liebknecht presents an argument for militarism as a means for the capitalist class to wage class warfare, limit the power of Labor, and use the proletariat as cannon fodder for its own oppression. He also presents compelling arguments against the Anarchist anti-militarist movement, highlighting the virtues of the Social Democratic materialist approach, traces the trajectory of concrete anti-militarist tactics and propaganda, and (prophetically) urges the Social Democratic movement to develop a coherent analysis and actionable line on anti-militarism to avoid falling prey to jingoism and losing grasp on the class warfare nature of war. It falls short in the occasional unscientific analysis on militarism's hegemony, which at times betrays Liebknecht's distaste for what he calls the "cruder" stratum of society (basically saying that the military tricks more weak-minded proletarians into obedience by giving them nice uniforms and shiny medals), and is a bit of a slog in its admirable but outdated (to the layperson) elaboration of militarism and anti-militarism in the Western countries. All in all, a worthwhile read to see the development of the foundations of a communist conception of militarism's role in capitalism.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very able attempt at analyzing the militaristic aspects of the imperialist era of capitalism. While Liebknecht doesn't use the term "imperialism," he is anticipating many of the arguments that will be made by Lenin in connection with it. At several points, Liebknecht even anticipates and rejects a concept similar to Kautsky's "ultra-imperialism," defeating the concept before Kautsky would even have the chance to formulate it. Also interesting is the fact that Liebknecht says that militarism is a universal concept, while the form he is critiquing is specific to the capitalist mode of production; this leads to the inference of a "proletarian militarism" necessary to defeat capitalism.

Liebknecht's analysis is very thorough: he analyzes almost every major country in Europe, as well as the United States and Canada, in sections dedicated to the progress of militarism and the anti-militarist struggle in those countries.

All in all, this is a very much suggested read, and one many Western "leftists" should consult today in learning how to actually oppose imperialism and militarism rather than condemning "both sides" as they so often do.

[Irfan Muhaimin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Militerisme dan Anti Militerisme merupakan sebuah falsafah fahaman politik sekitar era perang dunia pertama dan imperiaslis. Militerisme disini diguna pakai oleh imperialis bertopengkan sosialis. Golongan ini dieksploitasi daripada kalangan bukan cerdik pandai dan bagi pemerintah sebuah instrumen politik berkesan. Strateginya untuk mengekalkan pengaruh melalui teknik militer yang selari dengan kegananasan. Kesan baiknya adalah berlaku perusahan yang drastik dan pembangunan sejagat tapi kesan negatifnya tekanan kepada rakyat menjadi mangsa dan sosioekonomi menjulang. Maka lawanya anti militerisme lebih kepada sosial denokrat yang ingin membebaskan diri daripada kekangan politik militer. Usaha mereka kuat terutama dalam golongan tani yang ditindas. Dengan berlanskapkan ini berjaya membawa fahaman baru yang berasas seperti idea sosialis yang menekan kesamamarataan. Tapi harus diingat mereka bukan model yang baik dalam sesuatu pemerintahan

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely excellent text that while focused on a specific topic in terms of analysis and lessons drawn from militarism is far reaching. A fantastic supplementary text to understanding Marxist theory with some dry sections that stress how often the military is used against the workers.

[Memoria Passionis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salah satu buku kesayangan yang hilang. Sad 😢