The National Question

Rosa Luxemburg’s The National Question stands as one of the most profound and controversial contributions to socialist thought on the issue of national identity and self-determination. In this work, Luxemburg critically examines the principle of “the right of nations to self-determination,” arguing that elevating national interests above class struggle and international solidarity undermines the core of socialism itself. Drawing from her own experience as a Polish revolutionary, Luxemburg explores the tension between national liberation and class emancipation with remarkable insight. Her analysis challenges readers to rethink the concepts of nation and state, and to reconsider the limits of internationalist politics. Far more than a historical document, The National Question remains a vital guide for understanding today’s debates over globalization, identity, and sovereignty. Luxemburg’s sharp intellect and her unwavering commitment to universal freedom and equality make this text an enduring classic for readers seeking to understand the complex intersection of nationalism and socialism.