ABSTRACT
In May 1909 Rudolf Hilferding identified as the true 'impresario of German revisionism' not Bernstein but Joseph Bloch, editor of the principal revisionist organ, the Berlin-based Sozialistische Monatshefte. What is now known about Bloch and his publication, about his world view, political philosophy, strategic concept and attitude towards imperialism, suggests that he was a man of considerable influence within pre-1914 German Social Democracy. The task of giving precise definition to Bloch's world view or programme and to his influence within prewar German Social Democracy has been rendered difficult by Bloch's preference for anonymity. Like so many assimilated German Jews, Bloch had developed an intense and cultivated pride in his links with German culture. Bloch was also opposed to anti-clericalism and insisted that the party maintain strict neutrality in matters of religion. Bloch's world view bore unmistakably the marks of his background and training, his thinking being thoroughly imbued with the ethos of German idealism.
