ON THE CONTRADICTIONS OF MARXISM AND THE PECULIARITIESOF MODERN SOCIAL DEMOCRACY

Abstract

The article presents an attempt to single out the differences between the attitudes of the classical Marxism to the social-democratic movement of the XIX century and the attitudes of the modern social-democratism to the Marxist doctrine. Besides, the reasons for the contradiction, that separated these two phenomena with rather similar theoretical bases, are formulated. The author analysed the basic works of Marxism’s classics that mainly criticize the social-democratic movement (Germany, end of XIX c.), as well as the works of modern politologists and historians where the main reasons for both the points of contact and the conflict between social-democratism and Marxism on the edge of XXI century were substantiated. The statement that there are some possibilities for Marxism to revive was empirically proved. But it can be revived only if it reforms itself according to the demands of modern social-economic and political situation in the world like the social-democratic doctrine could have done it. Theoretical and practical importance of the problem is that theoretical conclusions and the results of the practical activities of the social-democratic movement in Russia, CIS countries and Western Europe are being summarized, as well as the theses, contributing to futher development of both social-democratism and Marxism with the offered vectors of development, are being fo rmulated. The article is addressed to historians and politologists who are engaged into the study of political movements’ history and into the political practicing.