In 'The Role of the Individual in History', Georgi Plekhanov explores the intricate relationship between individual actions and historical events. Challenging the notion that great figures alone shape history, he argues that the context of social and economic conditions plays a pivotal role. Through a blend of philosophy and historical analysis, Plekhanov reveals how individual contributions are often intertwined with broader societal forces. The book stimulates critical thought about the balance of agency versus determinism in shaping our past. Readers will be left pondering who truly drives history: the individual or the collective?
By Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov
Published: 2003
"The individual is not merely a pawn in the grand game of history; rather, each person plays a vital role in the creation of their own destiny and the unfolding of societal change."
The Role of the Individual in History was first published in 1898, and occupies a very prominent place among those of Plekhanov's works in which he substantiates and defends Marxism and advocates the Marxian theory of social development. Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov (1856-1918) was one of the leaders of Russian populism and after his emigration to Western Europe in 1880 became the foremost Russian Marxist abroad. He founded in 1883, together with Pavel Axelrod, the 'Group for the Liberation of Labor', the first Russian social democratic party, and in 1900 together with Lenin the 'Iskra', the first Russian Marxist newspaper, but a few years later broke with Lenin and sided with the Mensheviks.
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“The individual is not merely a pawn in the grand game of history; rather, each person plays a vital role in the creation of their own destiny and the unfolding of societal change.”
The Role of the Individual in History
By Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov
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Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov (1856-1918) was a prominent Russian revolutionary and a key figure in the development of Marxist theory in Russia. Often referred to as the 'father of Russian Marxism,' Plekhanov's works played a critical role in the intellectual foundation of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party. His notable works include 'The Development of the Monist View of History' and 'The Role of the Individual in History,' which explore the interplay between individual actions and broader historical forces. Plekhanov's writing style is characterized by rigorous analysis and a deep commitment to historical materialism, reflecting his belief in the importance of socio-economic contexts in shaping human behavior and societal development.
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