War socialism

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War socialism was a term for the German war economy of the First World War . This term was highly controversial within the left .

With the beginning of the First World War, the SPD was in a difficult position. Although it saw itself as an internationalist party, it agreed to the war credits and, according to the words of Kaiser Wilhelm “I don't know any parties, I only know Germans!”, It joined the ranks of parties that supported the war efforts of the Reich (see Truce policy ).

The workers , who were now needed as soldiers , experienced a clear appreciation in public opinion. Conversely, the trade unions also ceased their labor disputes and viewed themselves as part of this unit.

At the same time, the freedom of the market was massively restricted by the war economy. Central planning and state guidelines aimed at increasing arms production replaced the market economy. Cartels and class organizations massively expanded their influence. The consumer sovereignty was rationing overridden.

The term “war socialism” took up these effects and interpreted them as an essential step towards national socialism .

Representatives of war socialism were Paul Lensch , Johann Plenge and Rudolf Kjellén .

However, this view was highly controversial. The following criticisms were made:

  • This “unity” is not the result of a cultural work, but the opposite of it.
  • War socialism, however, is rightly “war capitalism”. So while war socialism aimed at restriction (illustrated by the bread card ), the aim of socialism was full satisfaction.
  • War socialism means coercion, while the organization of socialism means social care for each individual.

See also

literature

  • Max Adler : About war socialism . Workers' newspaper, Vienna 1915.
  • Herbert Gantschacher : Witness and Victim of the Apocalypse . ARBOS . Arnoldstein 2007.
  • Rudolf Hilferding : War Capitalism . Workers' newspaper, Vienna 1915.
  • Wilhelm Jerusalem : Introduction to Philosophy . 7-10 Edition. Wilhelm Braumüller University Publishing House, Vienna 1923.
  • Rudolf Kjellén : The political problems of the world war . Published by BG Teubner, Leipzig 1916.
  • Rudolf Kjellén: Studies on the World Crisis . Hugo Bruckmann publishing house, Munich 1917.
  • Johann Plenge : The revolutionization of the revolutionaries . The Neue Geist-Verlag, Leipzig 1918.