The Development Trajectory of Eastern Societies and the Theories and Practices of Socialism

In the four volumes of The Development Trajectory of Eastern societies and the Theories and Practices of Socialism, the author re-examines Marx and Engels’ theories on the development trajectory of Eastern societies by integrating theoretical analysis of Marxist theories and an historical investigation of socialist revolution and socialist construction around the world. The collection challenges some predominant interpretations of Marx and Engels' historical materialism by focusing on that materialism, explaining the general laws of historical development and its particular trajectory in Eastern societies; discussing the attempts of the Russian Commune to avoid the torments of the capitalist system and tracing the victories and failures of the 100-year trajectory of socialism. The significance of Marx and Engels' socialist theories for contemporary social development in the Eastern societies is henceforth laid bare. The book will be a key reference for readers studying Marxism, Marxist philosophy and the history of philosophy. Cover Volume 1 Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Preface Introduction 1 Social forms and their classifications 2 The purposiveness of human activities and the regularity of social development 3 Historical determinism, subjective choice, and their relations 4 Historical progress and its measure 5 The integrity of Marxism Bibliography Index Volume 2 Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Introduction 1 Debating the "Asiatic mode of production": History and research methods 2 Evolution of the concept of the "Asiatic mode of production" 3 A comparison of Eastern and Western ancient societies Bibliography Index Volume 3 Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Introduction 1 The nature and prospect of Russian communes 2 Comparison of the early and the late Marxian thought 3 Difference and consistency between Engels’ and Marx’s thoughts 4 The victories of the Russian October Revolution and of the Chinese Revolution do not confirm the “leaping over” theory 5 The greatest strength of the general historical philosophy is that it is supra-historical 6 The theoretical contributions of Marx’s “Notes on Ancient Social History” Bibliography Index Volume 4 Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Introduction 1 Nomenclature for the future society 2 An overview of the role of capital 3 Reflecting on the destiny of socialism 4 Marx and Engels’ visions on the basic characteristics of the future society 5 The controversy about “whether one country can accomplish socialism” 6 Deng Xiaoping’s theory of the primary stage of socialism 7 Deng Xiaoping’s contributions to the theory of the essence of socialism 8 Deng Xiaoping’s contribution to the historical era theory Afterword Bibliography Index In the four volumes of The Development Trajectory of Eastern Societies and the Theories and Practices of Socialism, the author re-examines Marx and Engels'theories on the development trajectory of Eastern societies by integrating theoretical analysis of Marxist theories and a historical investigation of socialist revolution and socialist construction around the world.Pointing out the guiding significance of five aspects of the basic principles of Marxism for studying how Eastern societies develop, this volume interrogates various assumptions that have prevailed in academia, addresses unexplained topics, and offers insight into the understanding of these basic principles. The result is a penetrating and specific understanding of Marxist basic principles and the development trajectory of Eastern societies.Critical engagement with predominant understandings and a refreshing reformulation of Marxist theoretical bases make the book a key new reference for readers who are studying or are interested in Marxism, Marxist philosophy, and the history of philosophy. "Pointing out the guiding significance of five aspects of the basic principles of Marxism for studying how Eastern societies develop, this book interrogates various assumptions that have prevailed in academia, addresses unexplained topics and offers insight into the understanding of these basic principles. The result is a penetrating and specific understanding of Marxist basic principles and the development trajectory of Eastern societies. Critical engagement with predominant understandings and a refreshing reformulation of Marxist theoretical bases make the book a key new reference for readers who are studying or are interested in Marxism, Marxist philosophy and the history of philosophy"-- Provided by publisher This collection of four volumes re-examines Marx and Engels' theories of the development trajectory of Eastern societies. Volume 1 interrogates traditional exegeses of basic Marxist principles and reinterprets them in a way that will be of significant interest to readers studying Marxist theory and philosophy.