On Marxism, Rosa Luxemburg, and Anti-globalization: A Response to Burgmann.

This article critically examines Verity Burgmann’s argument that Classical Marxism—defined primarily as the Marxism of the Communist Manifesto and Second International Marxism—has failed to effectively resist globalization due to its alleged overestimation of capitalism’s dynamism. The author challenges Burgmann’s reductionist portrayal of Classical Marxism, particularly defending Rosa Luxemburg’s contributions and highlighting the significant role of Third International Marxism, especially Leninism, in anti-colonial and anti-globalization struggles. While acknowledging anarchism’s appeal within early 21st-century alter-globalization movements, the article contends that Burgmann overlooks the historical influence of Leninist anti-imperialist movements and the feminist and Third World women’s movements in shaping global justice activism. Ultimately, the piece argues that Classical Marxism, especially as articulated by Luxemburg, maintains a foundational belief in working-class self-activity as central to socialist transformation, contrary to Burgmann’s claims.