Description
Book SynopsisWild Socialism examines the rise, development, and decline of revolutionary councils of industrial workers in Berlin at the end of the First World War. This popular movement spread throughout Germany, and was without precedent in either the theory or practice of the Social Democratic party and allied trade unions.
Trade Review[This book is] a valuable contribution to the understanding of Germany social history that carries important implications for the situation of labor until today. * Journal of Social History *
…How relevant is Wild Socialism for today? One only needs to think of the Arab Spring, anti-austerity debt riots in Greece, spontaneous mass strikes of workers in China, or mass labor protests in Wisconsin — to appreciate Comack’s history of a revolutionary moment in troubling times. -- Elaine Bernard, executive director, Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard Law School
...Scrupulously researched with prose as clear as a bell, he takes us through the twists and turns of German social democracy and trade unions before, during, and after World War I with great clarity in this very readable volume. Wild Socialism is must-read for not only historians of the period, but for those interested in the working class and labor activism. -- Thomas Juravich, Labor Center / Sociology
…A welcome addition to the literature on post-World War I Germany….He skillfully delineates the bureaucratic degeneration of the German Social Democratic Party and trade unions during the previous thirty years which led them to become complicity with the Imperial regime and its war….Comack writes with remarkable clarity and is able to describe the complex situations in an accessible manner….Comack is to be commended… -- Steve Kellerman, delegate, Boston Branch, Industrial Workers of the World
Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Berlin Chapter 3: The Urban Proletariat Chapter 4: German Social Democracy Chapter 5: The Trade Unions Chapter 6: Wartime Chapter 7: The Workers Councils Chapter 8: Revolution Chapter 9: 1919 Chapter 10: 1920 Chapter 11: Council Communism Chapter 12: Conclusion Appendices A. Chronology B. Abbreviations Bibliography About the Author
