Revolutionary Marxist activist Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919) has long been a major inspiration for activists on the left. But what can we learn from looking closely at her life today? Jon Nixon answers that question here, offering a clear, concise account of Luxemburg’s biography and thought and setting it in relation to contemporary economic, political, and social debates. Nixon presents Luxemburg as not only an activist, but also as a major political theorist, showing how her thinking about global capitalism, state militarism, and other subjects can still be applied today, with powerful effects. By establishing a rich and distinctive account of Luxemburg, Nixon makes a compelling argument for the continuing relevance of her struggle for democratic renewal.

Jon Nixon is honorary professor at the Education University of Hong Kong and the author, most recently, of Hannah Arendt and the Politics of Friendship.

— Tanya Fitzgerald, La Trobe University

— Patrick Hayden, University of St Andrews

— Michael W. Apple, University of Wisconsin

— Helen Gunter, University of Manchester