Humanist Marxism: The Humanist Basis & Continuing Shape of Democratic Socialism

• In Event: Foundations of Democratic Socialism

Abstract

At this bifurcated moment of world history, with worrying developments towards authoritarianism and attendant modes of xenophobia in many countries, we are also witness to the tentative but meaningful return of interest in democratic socialist politics. In light of this, I want in this paper to explore the Humanist Marxist tradition and to consider what it can contribute to our discussion of contemporary political movements. In particular, I want to look at the basis of Marxist Humanism in the writings of Marx (and through him Hegel and Feuerbach), but also in the renewed accounts of humanism found in the writings of Erich Fromm, Raya Dunayevskaya, and Frantz Fanon. These latter representatives of the Humanist Marxist tradition – thinkers who also offered original insights on the primary forms of authoritarian politics of the last century, fascism, Stalinism, and colonialism – will be given especial attention, showing how we might strengthen a flourishing democratic socialism by paying due attention to the darker sides of modernity whilst remaining firmly committed to its positive potential.

Author

• Kieran Durkin, University of York