Reflections on Karl Kautsky and the Theory of Ultra-Imperialism: Social Democracy and International Relations

Emre Y.

ULUSLARARASI ILISKILER-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, vol.10, no.39, pp.45-69, 2013 (SSCI, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 39
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Journal Name: ULUSLARARASI ILISKILER-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.45-69
  • Istanbul Kültür University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This paper examines the ultra-imperialism theory of German politician and theorist Karl Kautsky. Karl Kautsky's ultra-imperialism conception is an essential approach which had significant influences on political history and International Relations. The article is divided into three parts. In the first part, the ultra-imperialism theory will be discussed after a brief examination of Karl Kautsky's basic assumptions and his importance in the history of social democracy. In the second part, the place of ultra-imperialism theory within the Marxist imperialism theories will be scrutinized. Third part is about the explanatory capacity of ultra-imperialism theory for post-Second World War international relations and its usefulness with regard to International Relations theories. The basic conclusion reached was that Karl Kautsky's ultra-imperialism theory has a significant analytical capacity for contemporary International Relations studies.