Regaining Marxism (institute Of Social Studies, The Hague)

This book responds to recent events by proposing a radical reshaping of Marxist theory. Taking the core problem as that of the historical subject, it conceptualises human life in terms of four interrelated practices. It explores these in turn in the context of a capitalism divided into 'centre' and 'periphery', primarily through nine 'theoretical reconstructions', which attempt to meet such problems as the labour theory of value, the nature and role of the state, and consciousness. This Is A Partisan Book, Rejecting The Assumption Of A Bankruptcy Of Marxist Theory In Face Of The Collapse Of The State Socialist Regimes, And Countering The Criticisms Advanced By Postmodernist Writers And Feminists, Although It Takes The Latter Very Seriously. Viewing Marxism As The Indispensable Basis For A New 21st-century Liberation Doctrine, It Identifies The Basic Issue As The Nature Of The Historical Subject, Which Marx And Engels Too Readily Associated With A White, Male Industrial Proletariat. Starting With The 'philosophical Anthropology' Of The Early Marx, This Book Takes A Concept Of Common Human Needs As A Way Of Theorizing Concrete Historical Experience. It Sees History In Terms Of A Double Development Of Capitalism, At The 'centre' And On The 'periphery', And Pays Special Attention To Consciousness And The Non-material Aspects Of Human Life, Undervalued By Marxism. 1. A Mid-life Crisis -- 2. Getting Down To Basics -- 3. Totalities -- 4. Basic Determinations -- 5. A Global Reconstruction -- 6. Politics And Cognition -- 7. Consciousness And The Marxist Assumption Of Proletarian Universality. Ken Post. In Association With The Institute Of Social Studies. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 367-384) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-x A Mid-Life Crisis....Pages 1-42 Getting Down to Basics....Pages 43-75 Totalities....Pages 76-105 Basic Determinations....Pages 106-167 A Global Reconstruction....Pages 168-220 Politics and Cognition....Pages 221-287 Consciousness and the Marxist Assumption of Proletarian University....Pages 288-334 Back Matter....Pages 335-393