Origin of Modern Leftism by Richard Gombin

“Origin of Modern Leftism” is a book written by Richard Gombin, a French Marxist scholar and political activist. Originally published in French in 1967, the book offers a historical analysis of the development of leftist political thought and activism from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Gombin argues that the modern leftist movement emerged as a response to the failures of traditional socialism and the rise of new forms of capitalist exploitation. He traces the evolution of leftist political ideas from anarchism and syndicalism to communism and social democracy, and examines the role of key figures such as Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky.

The book also explores the impact of major historical events such as World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the Spanish Civil War on the development of leftist political thought and activism. Gombin argues that these events played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the leftist movement, and contributed to the rise of radical forms of leftist politics.

“Origin of Modern Leftism” has been praised for its comprehensive and insightful analysis of the origins and evolution of leftist political thought and activism. It has become a classic text in the field of political theory and has been widely cited and referenced in academic literature on the subject.