On Karl Kautsky’s Interpretation Of Historical Materialism ——Centered On Materialist Conception Of History

Karl Kautsky is a leading theorist of the Second International.Based on the needs of era,such as the Second International facing the issue of "whether Marxism is out of date",the serious misunderstanding and correction of the historical materialism,and the urgent need of the proletariat for scientific and theoretical guidance,karl Kautsky interpreted the historical materialism,which is embodied in materialist conception of history.Karl Kautsky’s interpretation of the historical materialism is not only a product of the development of the times,but also on the basis of extensive absorption of the ideas of predecessors.The historical view based on Darwinism and the positivism philosophy of Conde and Spenser are its direct theoretical sources.According to Karl Kautsky,the historical materialism is a view of history based on "materialism".The historical materialism is a "science of history".Karl Kautsky analyzed the dynamics of human social development.He explained the role of technology,economics,the masses,luminaries,geography,and race in social development.According to Karl Kautsky,technology is the motive power for the development of society.Economy is the decisive factor for the development of society.History is created by humans,and the masses are the real creators of history.The outstanding characters,especially the outstanding thinkers,are the creative factors in the social history.Race and geographical environment can make people shape different historical characteristics,which has an impact on the development of social history.Moreover,Karl Kautsky divided the course of human society into classless society,social stratification and future society,and analyzed their specific historical characteristics.karl Kautsky’s historical materialism promoted the systematization and popularization of the historical materialism.He further explored the historical regulation of the development of human society,and further comprehended the basic category of the historical materialism in depth.Karl Kautsky made a contribution to promoting and defending the historical materialism.However,there are many theoretical defects in Karl Kautsky’s interpretation of historical materialism.His interpretation of the historical materialism has the characteristics of strong positivism,Darwinism,and eclecticism.In addition,Karl Kautsky’s Interpretation of Historical Materialism exists the phenomenon that kautsky misused some basic conceptions.In short,the historical materialism of Karl Kautsky’s interpretation should be analyzed historically and dialectically combining with its historical background.