Pursuing the Individual in Working-Class History

Abstract The individual is still rare in working-class history, and, when we find them, they are often, like Bebel and Lula, exceptional. We interested them as leaders of vital mass movements because had an important impact on their societies. But another part the promise biographies these opportunity to approach personal dimensions experience through life. Bringing two together highlights diversity experience. developed a racially homogeneous society while Lula was mixed-race person shaped race-conscious Brazil. thrived small-shop artisan skilled worker production factory. I also compare contrast subjects with American labor radicals, socialist leader Eugene Debs William Z. Foster, key figure Communist Party US. importance psychology homosocial worlds might have played greater role here, ubiquitous learning both men raises problem intellectual subject that has not received enough attention from historians.