Page - 351 - in Otto Bauer (1881–1938) - Thinker and Politician

© ewa czerwińska-schupp, 2017 | doi: 10.1163/9789004325838_010 This isanopenaccessarticledistributedunderthetermsofthecc-by-ncLicense. ClosingRemarks I do not intend to end this book with a synthesis of Austromarxist theory and practice as understood byOtto Bauer. Themost important reasons are the following.Firstly,Bauer’s theoretical legacycomprisesanumberofdiffer- ent scientific disciplines. Inhiswork, theymaintain a relatively autonomous character.Consequently, I treatedthemasself-containedareasof study inmy reconstruction,while striving to flesh out themotifs they had in common– thatis, thedefenceofindividualfreedom,anddemocracyasanautotelicvalue of paramount importance for the entire organisation of social and political life.Secondly, it is impossibletoreveal theepistemologicalvalueof individual theories by analysing the theses they encompass. This can only be done by relating these ideas to the influential intellectual andpolitical tendencies of the time.Wherever Bauer’s ideaswere linked to the political practice of the Social-Democraticmovement, Ipresentedtheirconnectiontoconcretesocio- political issues and the relevanthistorical and social conditions. Thirdly, but no less importantly, I endedeach chapter of this bookwith conclusions and appraisals. Insteadofasummary,Iwill thereforeofferafewgeneralremarksonBauer’s contribution to socialist theory. That is to say, Iwill highlightwherehe con- tradictedMarxian ideas thatcouldno longerbeapplied to thesocio-political realitiesofBauer’s lifetime.Iwillalsobrieflycommentonthepoliticalstrategy andtacticsheadoptedforthesdap. OttoBauer, a legendwhenhewas still alive, remainsacontroversial figure posthumously. Hiswork is distinguished by his outstanding personality and intense, criticalmind. Literature dedicated to Bauer tends to emphasise his great achievements as a historian, sociologist, and political scientist in four areas: the social and economic history of Austria, studies on the nation and nationalism,theanalysisoftheRussianRevolutionandBolshevism,andinter- pretationsof fascism.1Althoughthisappraisal isentirely justified, Iwouldlike tocomplementit furtherbydrawingattentiontoanumberof issuesthatwere essential toBauer’scontribution: – InlightofthedominantpositionsintheSecondInternational,hisproposals for thenationalquestionandsocialist revolution, the state, andespecially democracy,were innovative. Bauer’s emphasis on the axiological value of democracyanditsrole incivil societyappearsespeciallyvaluabletome. 1 See, forexample,Hanisch1985,p. 195.