Introduction to the Kelsen-Bauer debate on Marxist state theory and the equilibrium of class forces

This serves as an introduction to a debate between Hans Kelsen and Otto Bauer concerning the nature and relative autonomy of the state, and the theories that informed the political practices of the Austro-Marxists and of the SDAP (Austrian Social Democratic Workers’ Party) immediately after the fall of the monarchy and during the early years of the First Republic. Both pieces (translated below) were published in Der Kampf ( The Campaign), the SDAP’s theoretical journal, in which many key texts of Austro-Marxist thought appeared. The debate is of theoretical interest, particularly with respect to Marxist state theory, but is potentially also of renewed relevance to an age of post-GFC (Global Financial Crisis) austerity. Bauer’s distinction between functional oligarchy and functional democracy is identified as one such potential contribution to current debate and analysis.

LENIN E AS RELAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS (1905-1914)

Esta exposição ficará limitada à análise do período 1905-1914, seguindo a reflexão de Lênin sobre a repercussão da revolução russa de 1905, os debates e decisões da Internacional Socialista, em particular sobre a questão das colônias e do militarismo. Importante notar a evidência dada por Lênin aos processos revolucionários que eclodiam na Ásia. Essas preocupações culminam no debate sobre a questão nacional, que envolve, entre outros, Otto Bauer e Rosa Luxemburg.

Otto Bauer: The idea of nation as a plural community and the question of territorial and non-territorial autonomy

This article presents a detailed analysis of the concept of nation in the work of Austro-Marxist Otto Bauer. In his view, the nation is conceived as an evolutionary process of political, open and plural construction. His work also unravels the connections of nation with a plurinational democratic state, which was at the time a novel political and institutional vision. The article argues that his work is very relevant today, with rising complexity of the new contexts of global society and the multiplication of migrations and refugees; and the need to respond through an accommodation of minorities through mechanisms of territorial and non-territorial autonomy. Much of these concerns form the substance of Otto Bauer?s work.