How I got here:

What's the text about:

As the title says, it's a historical materialist analysis of the role of the intellectuals in class struggle. But it is so thorough, it too develops or at least formulates a very early commentary on the just emerging fascism, on imperialism, on the question of women and much more. It's long for a speech, but it's incredibly insightful, comprehensive, is a highly interesting snapshot of the discussions in the communist world movement in 1924 and a very good example of how to conduct historical materialist analysis.

Clara Zetkin today is, unfortunately, a mostly forgotten figure outside of the German far left, even though she was one of the most important members of the German communist movement, of the KPD, an incredibly important figure for the women's movement and all round absolute giga chad who should be remembered at least as much as Rosa. I strongly urge everyone to at least read her wikipedia article. The woman had a theory of fascism as a distinct phenomenon less than 2 years after Mussolini seized power.

How's this gonna work:

I'll release the text in (probably) 4 parts, every 2-3 days from now. I'll make a new thread for each part. Whoever feels compelled to read and discuss along can just use the thread for the part. I'll try to be as active and to answer as many questions about it as I can, though I'm using this as an opportunity to really study Zetkin for the first time myself.

The translations are works in progress. I wont post total beta versions, but they will not be 100% refined

So without further ado

Part I:

Part 2 will expand on the crisis of the intellectuals, their worsening material conditions and how that leads to fascism

Hope this is helpful to someone, if not at least there's an English version of it online.