The Left and Democracy: The Triumph of Real-politik
A Review of "Forging Democracy: The History of the Left in Europe, 1850-2000" by Geoff Eley
While the Marxist Left of the early 20th century and the PC Left of the 21st seem like enemies of liberalism, Eley makes the case that a segment of the left has also been inextricably involved in the struggle for democracy. Not surprisingly, that segment comprises leftists who subscribe to realpolitik. They may ironically earn the disdain of their hard-left colleagues but they deserve credit for most real progress.