The Politics of Historiography: Russian Socialism and the Question of the Asiatic Mode of Production 1906-1931

In: Critique: journal of socialist theory, Band 10-11, S. 15-35

Abstract

Within the Marxist tradition historiography has played a particularly significant role in guiding as well as legitimating political choice. Two differing frameworks of historical analysis may be derived from Marx, one involving universal stages of social development, the other closely associated with the concept of the Asiatic Mode of Production (AMP), assuming the existence of alternative paths of historical development. In Russia the Bolshevik faction derived their political program from the former historiographical position, while G. Plekhanov & the Mensheviks took as their first political priority the need to combat the peculiarity & 'Asiatic' character of the Russian historical heritage. This can be seen in the debate over rationalization of land at the 'Unity' Congress of Russian social democracy in 1906. Despite the Bolshevik victory a new historiographical challenge emerged from 1925 on the part of Comintern officials active in China. They believed that Chinese history had been characterized by the AMP, & that therefore the Chinese national bourgeoisie was only a weak offshoot of Western imperialism, incapable of any positive role in a democratic revolution. AA.