Description
Book SynopsisThis book deals with a topic that is central to the most important and decisive issues and events of our timethe state and revolution in the twentieth century. Social scientists have made numerous attempts to understand the causes of revolutions by examining the underlying factors that contribute to revolutionary uprisings. To further these efforts, this book addresses some of the key issues related to this process through both theoretical and empirical inquiry into the nature and dynamics of the state and revolution as a basis for an understanding of the major socialist revolutions of the twentieth century. The book provides a comparative-historical analysis of the state and socialist revolutions in Russia, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Nicaragua. The thread that runs through each of the chapters that make up this book, especially the case studies of revolutions taken up for study, is the class nature of the state and the class forces involved in the revolutionary process leading up to the taking of state power, as well as-and more importantly so- the class nature of the forces that have taken power and rule over society in the post-revolutionary period. Applying class analysis to the study of the state and revolution, this book helps us understand the nature and dynamics of class struggles in societies that have gone through a revolutionary process.
Trade ReviewThis book provides a theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich class analysis of the state and revolution that has been long overdue. Given the fast-paced changes taking place in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet republics, and now Latin America, the appearance of Berberoglu's book at this critical time makes us doubly fortunate. -- Martin Orr, Boise State University
An outstanding contribution to the understanding of the world historical period from 1917 to 1989, a period that witnessed dramatic socialist revolutions. -- James W. Russell, Eastern Connecticut State University
Providing an incisive analysis of the state and social revolution in the twentieth century, this book brings to life the struggles of oppressed workers and peasants for state power with exceptional clarity, articulating the linkage between theory and practice in these revolutionary processes and offering essential lessons for building today's movement for global justice and equality. -- Walda Katz-Fishman, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
The State and Revolution in the 20th Century is an excellent example of the application of class analysis to the study of the state and major socialist revolutions of the past century. It provides a much needed comparative-historical perspective for studying key social movements that have succeeded in taking state power to effect change. -- Rhonda Levine, Colgate University
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Conventional Theories of the State and Revolution: Classical Statements Chapter 2 The Marxist Theory of the State and Revolution: The Classics Chapter 3 Twentieth Century Socialist Revolutions and Their Class Components Chapter 4 The Russian Revolution: The Proletariat Takes State Power Chapter 5 The Chinese Revolution: Workers and Peasants Rise Up in the Long March to Power Chapter 6 The Vietnamese Revolution: People's War and the Protracted Struggle for Independence and Socialism Chapter 7 The Cuban and Nicaraguan Revolutions: Imperialism, Dictatorship, and Popular Resistance Chapter 8 Conclusion Chapter 9 Bibliography Chapter 10 Index
