Hugo Dewar (1908–1980) was a British communist, Trotskyist, and later anti-communist writer and activist. He was known for his involvement in left-wing political movements in Britain during the early to mid-20th century and his subsequent critique of Stalinism and the Soviet Union. Dewar's work in political journalism and activism spanned several decades, during which he promoted democratic socialism and was a vocal opponent of totalitarianism.
Born in 1908, Dewar initially joined the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) but became disillusioned with the party's authoritarian tendencies, particularly after the Moscow Purge Trials of the late 1930s. This led him to align with the Trotskyist movement, which advocated for a more democratic form of socialism. Dewar was an active member of the Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) and later became associated with the Workers International League (WIL).
Dewar also gained attention for his later anti-communist stance, criticizing both Stalinism and Soviet-style governance. His published works, including Assassins at Large (1951), reflected his disillusionment with the Communist Party and totalitarian regimes. Throughout his life, Dewar remained committed to democratic socialism, advocating for freedom of expression and political accountability.
Bibliography
- Dewar, Hugo. Assassins at Large. London: Freedom Press, 1951. | full text
- Dewar, Hugo. The Modern Inquisitors: The Sufferings of the Trotskyists and Others Opposed to Stalinism. London: Harvill Press, 1953.