Marxist ethics within western political theory : a dialogue with republicanism, communitarianism, ... and liberalism

In this book on Marxist ethics, Norman Fischer applies abstract political philosophy and intellectual history to rarely discussed texts in terms of Marxist ethics. As widely applied as Marxist theory is today, there remain a host of key western thinkers whose texts are rarely scrutinized through a Marxist lens. In this philosophical analysis of Marx's never-before translated German notes on Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Lewis Henry Morgan, Norman Fischer points to a strain of Marxist ethics that may only be understood in the context of the great works of Western political theory and philosophy-particularly those that emphasize the republican value of public spiritedness, the communitarian value of solidarity, and the liberal values of liberty and equality In This Book On Marxist Ethics, Norman Fischer Applies Abstract Political Philosophy And Intellectual History To Rarely Discussed Texts In Terms Of Marxist Ethics. These Include Marx's Never Translated German Notes On Machiavelli, Montesquieu, And Rousseau, As Well As Lewis Henry Morgan's' Ancient Society. Fischer's Philosophical Analysis Of These Texts Demonstrates That There Is A Strain Of Marxist Ethics That Is Only Understandable In The Context Of The Great Works Of Western Political Theory And Philosophy, Particularly Those That Emphasize The Republican Value Of Public Spiritedness, The Communitarian Value Of Solidarity And The Liberal Values Of Liberty And Equality-- Introduction, Marxist Ethics Within Western Political Theory -- Part 1: Marxist Ethics Of Republican Democracy -- Roots Of Marxist Republican Democratic Ethics -- Historical Unfolding Of Marxist Republican Democratic Ethics -- Part 2: Marxist Communitarian And Liberal Ethics Of Economic Justice And Property -- Roots Of Communitarian And Liberal Marxist Property And Justice Theory -- Historical Unfolding Of Communitarian Marxist Property And Justice Theory -- Conclusion, Republican Marxism Within Western Liberal Ethics. Norman Arthur Fischer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In this original and provocative work, Norman Fischer unfolds 'the lost history of republican Marxism, ' arguing that not only is Marxism compatible with liberalism-as democratic, Marxism demands respect for negative liberties-it also advances liberalism. Fischer's pointed defense of 'liberal republican Marxism' sets Marxist Ethics Within Western Political Theory apart-it is an eye-opener.' - Patrick Murray, Creighton University, USA, author of Marx's Theory of Scientific Knowledge (1988) 'At a time of cultural and political fragmentation, the search for a political philosophy that is both critical and holds to universalist norms, has become elusive. This book, however, provides us with an important corrective to these current academic trends. Fischer's philosophical excavation shows that Marx's ideas are linked to a deep tradition in western political philosophy that emphasized the common good and social justice, a tradition to which we, too, are heirs.' - Michael J. Thompson, William Paterson University, USA "In this book on Marxist ethics, Norman Fischer applies abstract political philosophy and intellectual history to rarely discussed texts in terms of Marxist ethics. These include Marx's never translated German notes on Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, as well as Lewis Henry Morgan's' Ancient Society. Fischer's philosophical analysis of these texts demonstrates that there is a strain of Marxist ethics that is only understandable in the context of the great works of Western political theory and philosophy, particularly those that emphasize the republican value of public spiritedness, the communitarian value of solidarity and the liberal values of liberty and equality"-- Provided by publisher As widely applied as Marxist theory is today, there remain a host of key western thinkers whose texts are rarely scrutinized through a Marxist lens. In this philosophical analysis of Marx's never-before translated German notes on Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Lewis Henry Morgan, Norman Fischer points to a strain of Marxist ethics that may only be understood in the context of the great works of Western political theory and philosophy particularly those that emphasize the republican value of public spiritedness, the communitarian value of solidarity, and the liberal values of liberty and equality. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction, Marxist Ethics within Western Political Theory....Pages 1-17 Front Matter....Pages 19-19 Roots of Marxist Republican Democratic Ethics....Pages 21-53 Historical Unfolding of Marxist Republican Democratic Ethics....Pages 55-103 Front Matter....Pages 105-105 Roots of Communitarian and Liberal Marxist Property and Justice Theory....Pages 107-135 Historical Unfolding of Communitarian Marxist Property and Justice Theory....Pages 137-160 Conclusion, Republican Marxism within Western Liberal Ethics....Pages 161-188 Back Matter....Pages 189-231