Why did Eduard Bernstein reject Marx's prediction that capitalism was doomed?

Eduard Bernstein, often called the father of revisionism, rejected the Marxist prediction of capitalism’s imminent collapse based on his observation of late 19th-century economic and social realities.12

His departure from orthodox Marxism was driven by several key factors:

• Economic Trends: Bernstein argued that the concentration of industry was not occurring as rapidly or as thoroughly as Marx had predicted, and in agriculture, it was not increasing at all. He also noted that the development of cartels and business syndicates helped stabilize the economy, casting doubt on the inevitability of severe capitalistic crises.13
• Improved Conditions: Contrary to Marx’s theory of the "immiseration" of the proletariat, Bernstein observed that the lives of workers in advanced capitalist countries were actually improving, evidenced by rising wages and better working conditions.2
• Social Reform: He pointed out that the emergence of trade unions and working-class political parties had successfully pressured governments to enact reforms, such as factory legislation, which mitigated the exploitative tendencies of capital.12

Consequently, Bernstein concluded that socialism could be achieved through steady, peaceful, and parliamentary evolution rather than violent revolution.12