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Why Read Marx Today?
Jonathan Wolff
144 pages
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196x129mm
978-0-19-280505-8
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Paperback
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28 August 2003
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- This fresh, provocative, and hugely enjoyable book explains why, for all his shortcomings, his critique of modern society remains forcefully relevant even in the twenty-first century. Francis Wheen, author of Karl Marx
- Connects Marx's main ideas with wider concerns about culture and society
- Guides the reader accessibly through Marx's notoriously difficult writings
- Reinstates Marx as an important critic of current society, and not just a figure of historical interest
'All too often, Karl Marx has been regarded as a demon or a deity - or a busted flush. This fresh, provocative, and hugely enjoyable book explains why, for all his shortcomings, his critique of modern society remains forcefully relevant even in the twenty-first century.'
Francis Wheen, author of Karl Marx
In recent years we could be forgiven for assuming that Marx has nothing left to say to us. Marxist regimes have failed miserably, and with them, it seemed, all reason to take Marx seriously. The fall of the Berlin Wall had enormous
symbolic resonance: it was taken to be the fall of Marx as well as of Marxist politics and economics.
This timely book argues that we can detach Marx the critic of current society from Marx the prophet of future society, and that he remains the most impressive critic we have of liberal, capitalist, bourgeois society. It also shows that the value of the 'great thinkers' does not depend on their views being true, but on other features such as their originality, insight, and systematic vision. On this account too Marx still richly deserves to be read.
Readership: For those studying Marxist theory, politics, philosophy, history, and economics, and the general reader interested in
Marxism.
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Jonathan Wolff, Professor of Philosophy at University College London
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"All too often, Karl Marx has been regarded as a demon or a deity - or a busted flush. This fresh, provocative, and hugely enjoyable book explains why, for all his shortcomings, his critique of modern society remains forcefully relevant even in the twenty-first century.
" - Francis Wheen, author of Karl Marx
"an engaging read
" - Economist
"This is an important and timely book, that deserves to be widely read, not just by philosophers, economists and political theorists, but by journalists, politicians, and anyone who wants to understand the world we live in today. The scholarship on which the book is based is impeccable, yet the presentation is accessible and engaging throughout. Wolff is clear and candid about where Marx was wrong, and direct and persuasive about where he was right and still important today. This may be the most important book on Marx in the last two decades, one that will mark a turning point in the public and intellectual reception of Marx's philosophy." - Brian Leiter, University of Texas at Austin
"In splendidly lucid prose, Jonathan Wolff explores the continuing appeal of Marx today. Deftly sifting the living from the dead in Marx's thought, Wolff shows how his criticisms of capitalism and liberalism have lost none of their urgency, even if his communist solutions prove unconvincing." - Professor Richard Bellamy, University of Reading
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Preface
Introduction
Marx's Life and Works
The Plan of This Book
1: Early Writings
Introduction
Religion
The Philosophy of Historical Materialism
Labour and Alienation
Money and Credit
Liberalism
Emancipation
2: Class, History, and Capital
Class
History
The Economics of Capitalism
The Transition to Communism
The Nature of Communism
3: Assessment
Introduction
Early Writings
Theory of History
Economics
Communism
Human Nature
Conclusion
Guide to References and Further Reading
Index
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The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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