Marx S Interpretation Of History

Attempts to find an underlying consistency in Marx's complex vision of history without glossing over apparent contradiciton in the writings of Marx and in those of his interpreters.

First published in 1978, this book rapidly established itself as a classic of modern Marxism. Cohen's masterful application of advanced philosophical techniques in an uncompromising defense of historical materialism commanded widespread admiration. In the ensuing twenty years, the book has served as a flagship of a powerful intellectual movement--analytical Marxism. In this expanded edition, Cohen offers his own account of the history, and the further promise, of analytical Marxism. He also expresses reservations about traditional historical materialism, in the light of which he reconstructs the theory, and he studies the implications for historical materialism of the demise of the Soviet Union.

Through a discussion with current perspectives in philosophy of history and a rigorous reading of his oeuvre this book highlights the possibilities of the best Marx in terms of his capacity to account for the development of spatiotemporally complex societies.

First published in 1978, this book rapidly established itself as a classicof modern Marxism. Cohen's masterful application of advanced philosophicaltechniques in an uncompromising defence of historical materialism commandedwidespread admiration. In the ensuing twenty years, the book has served as aflagship of a powerful intellectual movement - analytical Marxism. In thisexpanded edition Cohen offers his own account of the history, and the furtherpromise, of analytical Marxism. He also expresses reservations abouttraditional historical materialism, in the light of which he reconstructs thetheory, and he studies the implications for historical materialism of the demiseof the Soviet Union.

Karl Marx's materialistic conception of history claimed to account for the past, confidently predicted the future, and made history itself. In analyzing the Marxian theory of social evolution, M. M. Bober closely examines the writings of Marx and his friend, Friedrich Engels, tracing the formulation of the doctrine in Capital, The Poverty of Philosophy, Civil War in France, Revolution and Counter-Revolution, The Communist Manifesto, and other of their voluminous publications. By careful, objective investigation, the author is able to present an accurate interpretation of Marx's economic and historical concepts, and he evaluates the theory in the light of actual historical development. In the extensive revision of his authoritative study, Bober has taken full account of developments since its first publication. Unknown writings by Marx and Engels recently have been discovered; new voices have been raised in defense of and against Marxian concepts; and economic theory has changed, with the problems of the business cycle and economic calculation assuming greater prominence. Bober's critical analysis of Marx and of his influence make a valuable and timely book, of interest not merely to scholars but also to everyone who is stirred to serious reading by the present conflict of political ideologies.