After Marx, before Lenin : Marxism and socialist working-class parties in Europe, 1884-1914 /

At times repetitious, Steenson's work is very useful in describing the varying "quotient" of Marxism in European Marxist socialist parties before 1914. He examines the German, French, Austrian, and Italian socialist parties especially their programs, organization, and tactics and finds that none was completely Marxist. In comparing the parties, Steenson provides details about the origins and history of each as well as the party's deference to Marx and Engels in the form of publishing important Marxist works. The Austrian party was the most completely Marxist, but all tempered their Marxism with traditional socialist or anarchist tenets, sometimes because of practical considerations. Steenson finds that the more political freedom within a country, the greater was the likelihood of a split between the party and elected deputies. Thus, the "Marxist" socialist party is a model and a measure, but not a reality. History influenced socialist parties more than theory. College, university, and public libraries.-D. Balmuth, Skidmore College