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Though the assertion of class struggle as the principal contradiction of capitalism was a leading achievement of Marxist thought, it is argued that Marxism, like critical thought in general, tends to overidealize the working class. This view positions workers -- or the people as a whole -- as "liberating victims," denying them their role as negotiators & the "merchants of their own labor power," even in their rebelliousness against oppression & exploitation. It is contended that the history of capitalism is one of "negotiated contradictions" within & between classes; several examples are offered since the emergence of capitalism -- in the late 20th century, highlighting negotiated contradictions at the international level surrounding colonialism & technological development. A systems theory approach is utilized to explain how negotiated contradictions form the basis of contemporary capitalist megaorganizations & their role in neoliberal globalization; such an analysis also illuminates the inadequacy of Marxist determinist concepts. K. Hyatt Stewart

Though the assertion of class struggle as the principal contradiction of capitalism was a leading achievement of Marxist thought, it is argued that Marxism, like critical thought in general, tends to overidealize the working class. This view positions workers -- or the people as a whole -- as "liberating victims," denying them their role as negotiators & the "merchants of their own labor power," even in their rebelliousness against oppression & exploitation. It is contended that the history of capitalism is one of "negotiated contradictions" within & between classes; several examples are offered since the emergence of capitalism -- in the late 20th century, highlighting negotiated contradictions at the international level surrounding colonialism & technological development. A systems theory approach is utilized to explain how negotiated contradictions form the basis of contemporary capitalist megaorganizations & their role in neoliberal globalization; such an analysis also illuminates the inadequacy of Marxist determinist concepts. K. Hyatt Stewart

By describing and analysing how the work of a probation officer with adolescent 'joyriders' in West Belfast moved from traditional casework to an innovative community-based project, the authors try to show that the concepts of 'contradiction', 'practice ideology' and 'space' are useful in grasping the shift to community-based practice, as we struggle to develop a personal position in relationship with collective NAPO policy.

Discusses uncertainty among the communist leadership about economic policy in a declining economy, focusing on international engagement and implications of capitalism for the one-party state and political power.

View that Gorbachev has consistently misjudged the issues in both domestic and foreign policy.

Die Autoren sehen in M. Gorbacev nicht den genialen Politiker, sondern denjenigen, der maßgeblich für das Andauern der schweren Krise in der UdSSR verantwortlich ist. Diese Krise ist für sie nicht so sehr ein ökonomisches Phänomen, als eine Legitimitätskrise des sowjetischen Systems. Durch das Festhalten am leninistischen Avantgarde-Modell verhindert Gorbacev bis jetzt eine Lösung der Krise und damit auch den ökonomischen Wiederaufbau der UdSSR. (BIOst-Rsg)

It is argued that the concept of contradiction has lost explanatory value, its use in Marxist analysis tending to "oscillate between.pretentious & empty theoretical verbiage & ritual cliche, vague enough to cover almost anything.." In an attempt to rescue the concept & reestablish its utility for contemporary analyses of capitalism, Karl Marx's original theorizing is revisited in light of the ideas on contradiction expressed by Marxist historian G. E. M. de Ste. Croix (1981) in his work on class struggle in ancient Greece. Marx & Ste. Croix are compared in terms of their perspectives of contradiction between (1) the forces & relations of production, (2) the social character of production & private appropriation, & (3) private landownership & rational agriculture. Ste. Croix's objections to the application of contradiction to class relations are reviewed, & the idea that class relations under capitalism may be different than those in other systems is explored. The roles of market dependence & exchange relations in contradictory class relations are also reevaluated. Capitalist contradictions in the modern world are evidenced in two examples: ecological degradation & globalization. K. Hyatt Stewart

It is argued that the concept of contradiction has lost explanatory value, its use in Marxist analysis tending to "oscillate between.pretentious & empty theoretical verbiage & ritual cliche, vague enough to cover almost anything.." In an attempt to rescue the concept & reestablish its utility for contemporary analyses of capitalism, Karl Marx's original theorizing is revisited in light of the ideas on contradiction expressed by Marxist historian G. E. M. de Ste. Croix (1981) in his work on class struggle in ancient Greece. Marx & Ste. Croix are compared in terms of their perspectives of contradiction between (1) the forces & relations of production, (2) the social character of production & private appropriation, & (3) private landownership & rational agriculture. Ste. Croix's objections to the application of contradiction to class relations are reviewed, & the idea that class relations under capitalism may be different than those in other systems is explored. The roles of market dependence & exchange relations in contradictory class relations are also reevaluated. Capitalist contradictions in the modern world are evidenced in two examples: ecological degradation & globalization. K. Hyatt Stewart

Democratization is the order of the day in the Third World, but aside from certain Latin American countries where it seems to have succeeded, it is everywhere running into difficulties. These challenges need to be analyzed in relation to the history of each country, taking into account specific political, cultural, and ideological circumstances. There is assuredly no universal model of democratic transition that one can recommend to all Third World countries, which is why we must evaluate obstacles to democratization on a case-by-case basis.

Democratization is the order of the day in the Third World, but aside from certain Latin American countries where it seems to have succeeded, it is everywhere running into difficulties. These challenges need to be analyzed in relation to the history of each country, taking into account specific political, cultural, and ideological circumstances. There is assuredly no universal model of democratic transition that one can recommend to all Third World countries, which is why we must evaluate obstacles to democratization on a case-by-case basis.