Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism)

Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism)

Author: Les Johnston

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-04-17

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 1317502612

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This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy – Marxism – to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of ‘reductionism’ which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism’s problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not ‘deterministic’, for there is invariably an indeterminate relationship between the materialism it invokes and the forms of politics it adopts. However, materialism is an obstacle to socialist theory. The contradictions and failures of Marxist class analysis suggest that the class concept is inadequate to the demands that socialists continue to place on it. It is not merely class which is problematic, however, but the conception of political interests which is associated with it. Even recent Marxist ‘revisionists’ who dispense with class primacy are unwilling to come to terms with the question of how socialist political interests are constituted. Socialist theory has to recognise the varied forces and interests on ‘the left’, and an effective socialism will have to be a pluralistic one. This means there can be no general theory of socialism, since a pluralistic socialism has to be able to adjust to varying social conditions.


Book Synopsis Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism) by : Les Johnston

Download or read book Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism) written by Les Johnston and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-04-17 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy – Marxism – to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of ‘reductionism’ which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism’s problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not ‘deterministic’, for there is invariably an indeterminate relationship between the materialism it invokes and the forms of politics it adopts. However, materialism is an obstacle to socialist theory. The contradictions and failures of Marxist class analysis suggest that the class concept is inadequate to the demands that socialists continue to place on it. It is not merely class which is problematic, however, but the conception of political interests which is associated with it. Even recent Marxist ‘revisionists’ who dispense with class primacy are unwilling to come to terms with the question of how socialist political interests are constituted. Socialist theory has to recognise the varied forces and interests on ‘the left’, and an effective socialism will have to be a pluralistic one. This means there can be no general theory of socialism, since a pluralistic socialism has to be able to adjust to varying social conditions.


Marxism, Class Analysis, and Socialist Pluralism

Marxism, Class Analysis, and Socialist Pluralism

Author: Les Johnston

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781315712840

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy - Marxism - to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of 'reductionism' which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism's problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not 'deterministic', for there is invariably an indeterminate relation.


Book Synopsis Marxism, Class Analysis, and Socialist Pluralism by : Les Johnston

Download or read book Marxism, Class Analysis, and Socialist Pluralism written by Les Johnston and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy - Marxism - to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of 'reductionism' which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism's problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not 'deterministic', for there is invariably an indeterminate relation.


Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism)

Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism)

Author: Les Johnston

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-04-17

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 1317502604

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy – Marxism – to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of ‘reductionism’ which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism’s problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not ‘deterministic’, for there is invariably an indeterminate relationship between the materialism it invokes and the forms of politics it adopts. However, materialism is an obstacle to socialist theory. The contradictions and failures of Marxist class analysis suggest that the class concept is inadequate to the demands that socialists continue to place on it. It is not merely class which is problematic, however, but the conception of political interests which is associated with it. Even recent Marxist ‘revisionists’ who dispense with class primacy are unwilling to come to terms with the question of how socialist political interests are constituted. Socialist theory has to recognise the varied forces and interests on ‘the left’, and an effective socialism will have to be a pluralistic one. This means there can be no general theory of socialism, since a pluralistic socialism has to be able to adjust to varying social conditions.


Book Synopsis Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism) by : Les Johnston

Download or read book Marxism, Class Analysis and Socialist Pluralism (RLE Marxism) written by Les Johnston and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-04-17 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book, first published in 1986, presents a radical challenge to socialist orthodoxy, subjecting a key component of that orthodoxy – Marxism – to sustained criticism. Les Johnston argues that Marxism cannot provide the foundations for a rigorous socialist theory or an effective socialist politics. A fundamental element of this criticism is the suggestion that the problem of ‘reductionism’ which has preoccupied Marxists is a red herring. Marxism’s problem is not its reductionism but its theoretical incoherence. Marxism is not ‘deterministic’, for there is invariably an indeterminate relationship between the materialism it invokes and the forms of politics it adopts. However, materialism is an obstacle to socialist theory. The contradictions and failures of Marxist class analysis suggest that the class concept is inadequate to the demands that socialists continue to place on it. It is not merely class which is problematic, however, but the conception of political interests which is associated with it. Even recent Marxist ‘revisionists’ who dispense with class primacy are unwilling to come to terms with the question of how socialist political interests are constituted. Socialist theory has to recognise the varied forces and interests on ‘the left’, and an effective socialism will have to be a pluralistic one. This means there can be no general theory of socialism, since a pluralistic socialism has to be able to adjust to varying social conditions.


Approaches to Class Analysis

Approaches to Class Analysis

Author: Erik Olin Wright

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2005-07-01

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 9781139444460

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Few themes have been as central to sociology as 'class' and yet class remains a perpetually contested idea. Sociologists disagree not only on how best to define the concept of class but on its general role in social theory and indeed on its continued relevance to the sociological analysis of contemporary society. Some people believe that classes have largely dissolved in contemporary societies; others believe class remains one of the fundamental forms of social inequality and social power. Some see class as a narrow economic phenomenon whilst others adopt an expansive conception that includes cultural dimensions as well as economic conditions. This 2005 book explores the theoretical foundations of six major perspectives of class with each chapter written by an expert in the field. It concludes with a conceptual map of these alternative approaches by posing the question: 'If class is the answer, what is the question?'


Book Synopsis Approaches to Class Analysis by : Erik Olin Wright

Download or read book Approaches to Class Analysis written by Erik Olin Wright and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2005-07-01 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Few themes have been as central to sociology as 'class' and yet class remains a perpetually contested idea. Sociologists disagree not only on how best to define the concept of class but on its general role in social theory and indeed on its continued relevance to the sociological analysis of contemporary society. Some people believe that classes have largely dissolved in contemporary societies; others believe class remains one of the fundamental forms of social inequality and social power. Some see class as a narrow economic phenomenon whilst others adopt an expansive conception that includes cultural dimensions as well as economic conditions. This 2005 book explores the theoretical foundations of six major perspectives of class with each chapter written by an expert in the field. It concludes with a conceptual map of these alternative approaches by posing the question: 'If class is the answer, what is the question?'


Agency and Structure (RLE Social Theory)

Agency and Structure (RLE Social Theory)

Author: Piotr Sztompka

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 1317652584

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A striking feature of the human condition is its dual, contradictory, inherently split character; on the one hand, autonomy and freedom; on the other, constraint and dependence on social structure. This volume addresses this central problem of the linkage between human action and social structure in sociological and social science theory. Contributions cover several different approaches to the agency-structure problematic, and represent the work of a number of leading international sociologists. Their efforts point to a reorientation of social theory, both on philosophical and methodological levels.


Book Synopsis Agency and Structure (RLE Social Theory) by : Piotr Sztompka

Download or read book Agency and Structure (RLE Social Theory) written by Piotr Sztompka and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-08-21 with total page 295 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A striking feature of the human condition is its dual, contradictory, inherently split character; on the one hand, autonomy and freedom; on the other, constraint and dependence on social structure. This volume addresses this central problem of the linkage between human action and social structure in sociological and social science theory. Contributions cover several different approaches to the agency-structure problematic, and represent the work of a number of leading international sociologists. Their efforts point to a reorientation of social theory, both on philosophical and methodological levels.


Marxism and History

Marxism and History

Author: S. H. Rigby

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 2024-06-04

Total Pages: 333

ISBN-13: 1526184044

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This critically aclaimed book, now in its second edition is firmly established as an essential guide to this recent historiographical debate. Adopted as a set book by the Open University. An indispensable guide to Marxist historiography for undergradu. . . .


Book Synopsis Marxism and History by : S. H. Rigby

Download or read book Marxism and History written by S. H. Rigby and published by Manchester University Press. This book was released on 2024-06-04 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This critically aclaimed book, now in its second edition is firmly established as an essential guide to this recent historiographical debate. Adopted as a set book by the Open University. An indispensable guide to Marxist historiography for undergradu. . . .


The Two Marxisms

The Two Marxisms

Author: Alvin Ward Gouldner

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 1982

Total Pages: 424

ISBN-13:

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In this final volume of the trilogy, Gouldner focuses on the tensions between "scientific Marxism" with its search for lawful determination and "critical Marxism" with its philosophy of practice and its art of critique.


Book Synopsis The Two Marxisms by : Alvin Ward Gouldner

Download or read book The Two Marxisms written by Alvin Ward Gouldner and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1982 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this final volume of the trilogy, Gouldner focuses on the tensions between "scientific Marxism" with its search for lawful determination and "critical Marxism" with its philosophy of practice and its art of critique.


Marx and Marxism

Marx and Marxism

Author: Peter Worsley

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-08-21

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 1134451539

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Karl Marx probably had more influence on the political course of the last century than any other social thinker. There are many different kinds of Marxism, and the Twentieth Century saw two huge Marxist states in total opposition to one another. In the West, Marxism has never presented a revolutionary threat to the established order, though it has taken root as the major theoretical critique of capitalist society in intellectual circles, and new interpretations of Marx's thought appear each year. Peter Worsley discusses all these major varieties of Marxism, distinguishing between those ideas which remain valid, those which are contestable, and those which should now be discarded. Rather than treating Marxism purely as a philosophy in the abstract, he concentrates upon the uses to which Marxism has been put and emphasises the connections between the theoretical debates and political struggles in the real world.


Book Synopsis Marx and Marxism by : Peter Worsley

Download or read book Marx and Marxism written by Peter Worsley and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-08-21 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Karl Marx probably had more influence on the political course of the last century than any other social thinker. There are many different kinds of Marxism, and the Twentieth Century saw two huge Marxist states in total opposition to one another. In the West, Marxism has never presented a revolutionary threat to the established order, though it has taken root as the major theoretical critique of capitalist society in intellectual circles, and new interpretations of Marx's thought appear each year. Peter Worsley discusses all these major varieties of Marxism, distinguishing between those ideas which remain valid, those which are contestable, and those which should now be discarded. Rather than treating Marxism purely as a philosophy in the abstract, he concentrates upon the uses to which Marxism has been put and emphasises the connections between the theoretical debates and political struggles in the real world.


The Cambridge Companion to Isaiah Berlin

The Cambridge Companion to Isaiah Berlin

Author: Joshua L. Cherniss

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018-10-04

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1107138507

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Isaiah Berlin remains one of the seminal political philosophers of the twentieth century. This book explains his enduring relevance as we face the challenges of the twenty-first.


Book Synopsis The Cambridge Companion to Isaiah Berlin by : Joshua L. Cherniss

Download or read book The Cambridge Companion to Isaiah Berlin written by Joshua L. Cherniss and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-10-04 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Isaiah Berlin remains one of the seminal political philosophers of the twentieth century. This book explains his enduring relevance as we face the challenges of the twenty-first.


Gramsci and Marxist Theory (RLE: Gramsci)

Gramsci and Marxist Theory (RLE: Gramsci)

Author: Chantal Mouffe

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-04-24

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 1317744381

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This book familiarizes the English-speaking reader with the debate on the originality of Gramsci’s thought and its importance for the development of Marxist theory. The contributors present the principal viewpoints regarding Gramsci’s theoretical contribution to Marxism, focussing in particular on his advances in the study of the superstructures, and discussing his relation to Marx and Lenin and his influence in Eurocommunism. Different interpretations are put forward concerning the elucidation of Gramsci’s key concepts, namely: hegemony, integral state, war of position and passive revolution.


Book Synopsis Gramsci and Marxist Theory (RLE: Gramsci) by : Chantal Mouffe

Download or read book Gramsci and Marxist Theory (RLE: Gramsci) written by Chantal Mouffe and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-04-24 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book familiarizes the English-speaking reader with the debate on the originality of Gramsci’s thought and its importance for the development of Marxist theory. The contributors present the principal viewpoints regarding Gramsci’s theoretical contribution to Marxism, focussing in particular on his advances in the study of the superstructures, and discussing his relation to Marx and Lenin and his influence in Eurocommunism. Different interpretations are put forward concerning the elucidation of Gramsci’s key concepts, namely: hegemony, integral state, war of position and passive revolution.