Past Present Future Films of Ideas: Rosa Luxemburg w/Lea Ypi
Dec 24, 2025
Lea Ypi, a writer and political philosopher known for her insights on Marxism and life behind the Iron Curtain, delves into the revolutionary life of Rosa Luxemburg. They explore how personal and political realms intertwine, questioning whether revolutionary politics necessitates a revolutionary lifestyle. Ypi highlights Luxemburg's complex relationship with theories of reform versus revolution, her unique perspective on democracy, and her critique of contemporary politics, making a compelling case for the relevance of Luxemburg's ideas today.
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Bourgeois Yearnings Shape Revolutionary Life
- Rosa Luxemburg lived between bourgeois attachments and revolutionary aims, never fully shedding her longing for a private life.
- The film shows this tension as central to understanding her politics and tragic end.
Theory Prefigured Political Betrayal
- Early theoretical disagreements with Bernstein predicted later political splits over reform versus revolution.
- What began as theory became a real political fracture with catastrophic consequences in 1914.
Mass Parties Rewire Political Incentives
- Social democracy's shift to mass politics changed its incentives from critique to electability.
- Parties now balance ideals against winning votes, making compromise structurally likely.