From Neo-Marxism to Democratic Theory: Essays on the Critical Theory of Soviet-type Societies: Essays on the Critical Theory of Soviet-type Societies

The essays in this volume trace an intellectual odyssey, a search for a genuinely critical theory. The book begins with the question of why the Frankfurt School as well as other neo-Marxist and post-Marxist analysts, both in the West and in dissident circles in the East, failed to produce a critical theory of Soviet socialism or to establish a dynamic relationship with contemporary social movements. As the political struggle in Eastern Europe intensified, the author of this book disengaged from his own efforts to reconstruct a critical Marxism. Instead, he attempts a reconstruction of democratic theory based on civil society rather than class categories, and with a critical relevance not only to the transition from state socialism but more generally to the universal goal of emancipation. Pt. I. Western Marxism And Soviet-type Societies. 1. Authoritarian Socialism And The Frankfurt School. 2. Between Apology And Critique: Marcuse's Soviet Marxism. 3. Critical Sociology And Authoritarian State Socialism. 4. From Western To Eastern Marxism: Rudolf Bahro. 5. Immanent Critique And Authoritarian Socialism: On Konrad And Szelenyi's Intellectuals. 6. The Budapest School And Actually Existing Socialism. 7. Facing Russia: Castoriadis And The Problem Of Soviet-type Societies -- Pt. Ii. The Rise Of Civil Society And Democratic Theory. 8. Civil Society Vs. The State: Poland 1980-81. 9. Empire Vs. Civil Society: Poland 1981-82. 10. The Democratic Theory Of The Polish Opposition: Normative Intentions And Strategic Ambiguities. 11. Some Perspectives Of Democratization In East Central Europe. 12. Social Theory, Civil Society, And The Transformation Of Authoritarian Socialism. 13. Revolution, Civil Society, And Democracy. 14. Social Movements And Civil Society In The Soviet Union. Andrew Arato. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The essays in this volume attempt to search for a genuinely critical theory. The book begins with the question of why neo-Marxist and post-Marxist analysts failed to produce a critical theory of Soviet socialism or to establish a dynamic relationship with contemporary social