First published in English in1920, this work is a reissue of Karl Kautsky's seminal work dealing with the origins and history of the forces at work in revolutionary epochs, which offers pathbreaking insights on the development of civilisation. The opening chapters, dealing with eigthteenth century France, are of special interest to the student of the French revolution. The section devoted to the Commune of Paris offersa stimulating and provocativedescription of this famous govenment of the working class. The reissue of this controversial and extraordinary workwill be welcomed by all those interested in the history of Communism in particularand the theory and history of revolution in general.
