Kautsky (1854–1938), a professional journalist, had emerged as the SPD’s chief ideologue. Since it was a scientifically proven fact that the course of social evolution would bring the working class to power, all it had to do in Kautsky’s view was to remain in existence and the revolution would come of its own accord. Thus from 1890 onwards the SPD tried to avoid the danger of being banned again, and laid ever greater stress on its peaceful and law-abiding character.
