Victor Serge - socialist hero

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday June 18, 2002 16:17 by Linda - Socialist Youth

An introduction to Victor Serge

Serge is best known for his writings. He left behind an enormous archive of published and unpublished books, articles, correspondence, polemics and essays concerning the momentous political events during his lifetime. His first hand accounts of the Russian Revolution and the failed 1923 German revolution are brilliant examples of the creative fusion of journalist and socialist activist.

He also displayed remarkable fiction writing abilities. His series of novels acutely captured the effects of revolution and counter-revolution on the lives of a multitude of characters, and for this are unique in world literature.

Like all other genuine revolutionaries Serge of course made mistakes. As his period in exile and isolation in the 1930s and 1940s illustrated, these errors were sometimes of a serious political character. Trotsky was forced to take up his pen against the often contradictory and confused ideas of his old friend.

However, it would be wrong to allow these mistakes to completely determine Serge’s legacy. On the contrary, his life’s work and activities are distinguished by great integrity and honesty. He always displayed genuine commitment to the cause of the working class. He was an incorruptible and highly cultured working class socialist fighter and artist. He stands as an inspiration to the new generation of socialist fighters.

The recent publication of Susan Weissman’s book, Victor Serge – The course is set on hope (Verso, 2001), is therefore a very welcome event. It should be read by all socialists and radical anti-capitalist youth, and by anybody who wants to comes to grips with one of the seminal events of twentieth century history – the October 1917 Russian Revolution and the Stalinist counter revolution.

Over the last ten years, there has been something of a resurgence of interest in Serge’s life, works and ideas. This has arisen for a number of reasons, including the centenary of his birth, which coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union. A ‘Victor Serge Memorial Library’ has been established in Moscow and his texts are now at last being published in the land of the October Revolution. Meanwhile, new editions of his books are appearing in the West.

Undoubtedly, the rise of the anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation movement has generated the search by radical youth for a non-Stalinist socialist alternative to capitalism. Sections of the Left and anti-capitalist movement correctly cite Victor Serge as an inspiring historic figure who bravely fought both capitalism and Stalinism. A careful reading of Serge, in conjunction with the rich works of Leon Trotsky - who Serge always considered a giant of the Marxist movement, along with Lenin - provide indispensable lessons to socialists and anti-globalisation protesters.

For more on Serge visit the socialist youth website where we have a review of his life and struggles