Marxism: For and Against by Robert L. Heilbroner (English) Paperback Book

Description: Marxism by Robert L. Heilbroner, R.L. Heilbroner "Genuinely open-minded and inquiring. . . .it intelligently summarizes and shrewdly questions four central topics of Marxist thought-the dialectical approach to philosophy, the materialist interpretation of history, the socio-analysis of capitalism and the commitment to socialism." -Raymond Williams, Cambridge University FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description In the lucid style and engaging manner that have become his trademark, Robert L. Heilbroner explains and explores the central elements of Marxist thought: the meaning of a "dialectical" philosophy, the usefulness and problems of a " materialist" interpretation" of history, the power of Marxs "socioanalytic" penetration of capitalism, and the hopes and disconcerting problems involved in a commitment to socialism. Scholarly without being academic, searching without assuming a prior knowledge of the subject, Dr. Heilbroner enables us to appreciate the greatness of Mark while avoiding an uncritical stance toward his work. Author Biography Robert L. Heilbroner is the Norman Thomas Professor of Economics, Emeritus, at The New School for Social Research and is the author of more than twenty books. He lives in New York City. Kirkus US Review The title is not meant to suggest still another balance-sheet of Marxisms pros and cons - the "take it or leave it" approach; rather, it reflects economist Heilbroners (New School for Social Research) attitude toward his subject: hes both for and against. One reason why Heilbroner is so prolific is that he writes short books, and his intention here is to convey the basic elements of Marxism to general readers without making it ridiculous. He does this in only 137 pages by keeping to a general level and concentrating on Marxs main methods and insights. Comparing Marx to Plato and Freud, Heilbroner explains that Marx tried to see through social phenomena to underlying patterns and meanings. By concentrating on history and on the inherent tensions by which social institutions are sustained - the famous "contradictions," on which Heilbroner is very good - Marx saw flux where others saw static, timeless "reality." But Marx also saw the act of understanding the world as part of the effort to change it, and it is here that Heilbroner confronts the authoritarian legacy of Marxism and defines his own position. Socialism, within Marxs perspective, must be seen as a qualitatively different type of society from capitalism (just as capitalism is from feudalism); the upshot is that we dont know exactly what it would be like. But Marxists, Heilbroner notes, are running around with blueprints incorporating ways of thinking from the bourgeois epoch which fail to transcend it - and, indeed, often seek only to negate it by attacking democratic values. Though Heilbroner ventures to speculate that Marxs socialism would be something akin to a religious community, he prefers to take Marxs methods and insights - though he presents their unresolved problems every step of the way - and reject the blueprints. An intellectuals approach to Marxism, maybe, but simplification without either vacuity or demagoguery is unusual in this genre. Easily the most contemporary popular introduction to Marx, and probably the best. (Kirkus Reviews) Details ISBN0393951669 Author R.L. Heilbroner Pages 192 Publisher W. W. Norton & Company Language English ISBN-10 0393951669 ISBN-13 9780393951660 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 335.4 Year 1980 Publication Date 1980-02-28 Imprint Norton Subtitle For and Against Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Birth 1919 Residence New York, NY, US Audience College/Higher Education Edition 1st Short Title MARXISM REV/E Edition Description Revised Illustrations black & white illustrations DOI 10.1604/9780393951660 UK Release Date 1982-05-19 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:131849929;

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