Suchergebnisse

Book reviewed in this article: Marxism in the Postmodern Age: Confronting the New World Order, edited by Antonio Callari, Stephen Cullenberg, and Carole Biewener. New York: Guilford, 1995, 560 pages. Cloth $49.95; paper $19.95. After Marxism, by Ronald Aronson. New York: Guilford, 1995, 321 pages. Paper $18.95. The Semiotic Self: by Norbert Wiley. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994, 250 pages. Cloth, $39.95; paper, $19.95. Reshaping the Female Body: The Dilemma of'Cosmetic Surgery, by Kathy Davis. New York and London: Routledge, 1995, 206 pages. Cloth $55.00; paper $16.95. Fear of Crime: Interpreting Victimization Risk, by Kenneth F. Ferraro. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995, 179 pages. Paper, $19.95 Auto Opium: A Social History of American Automobile Design, by David Gartman. London and New York: Routledge, 1994, 264 pages. Paper, $17.95. Berefi of Reason: On the Decline of Social Thought and Prospects for Its Renewal, by Eugene Halton. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1995, 304 pages. Cloth, $39.95. A Festival of Violence: An Analysis of Southern Lynchings, 1882–1930, by Stewart E. Tolnay and E. M. Beck. University of Illinois Press, 1995. Cloth, $49.95; paper, $19.95. Selling Free Enterprise: The Business Assault on Labor and Liberalism, 1945–1960, by Elizabeth A. Fones‐Wolf. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1994, 307 pages. Cloth, $49.95; paper, $16.95. The Executive Way: Conflict Management in Corporations, by Calvin Morrill. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. Cloth, $29.95.

THE MAJOR THESIS OF THE WRITINGS OF ERNESTO LACLAU AND CHANTAL MOUFFE IS THAT THE CORE OF ALL MARXIST THEORY IS BASED ON A NECESSITARIAN, DETERMINISTIC LOGIC THAT EMPHASIZES IRON LAWS, A STRICT SUCCESSION OF STAGES, THE INEVITABILITY OF THE PROLETARIAN REVOLUTION, AND SO FORTH. THIS LOGIC REDUCES COMPLEXITY AND LEADS TO AN ESSENTIALIST VIEW OF THE SOCIAL AND TO A CLOSED, MONISTIC TYPE OF THEORETICAL DISCOURSE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO SOFTEN MARXISM'S DETERMINISTIC CORE BY STRESSING INDETERMINACY, COMPLEXITY, THE IMPORTANCE OF AGENCY, AND THE RELATIVE AUTONOMY OF THE POLITICAL ARE SIMPLY AD HOC ADDITIONS TO A THEORETICAL EDIFICE THAT, IN ITS FOUNDATIONS, REMAINS IRRETRIEVABLY MONISTIC.

It is argued that contemporary Marxism is in a crisis from which it is not likely to recover. Nevertheless, discussion of Marxism in the context of contemporary political philosophy is appropriate for two reasons: (1) Marxists set the agenda for current political & philosophical debate; & (2) Marxism has recently, at least in the West, given rise to a new & lively debate about the value of fundamental Marxian notions such as the idea of historical materialism & exploitation by the so-called (& self-styled) "analytical Marxists." The Marxians have undertaken a critical evaluation of Marxist political philosophy & have departed from orthodox Marxism. The analytical Marxists have tried to rephrase & uphold the framework of Karl Marx's political & materialist philosophy or have taken it upon themselves to construct a new Marxist edifice of political philosophy, even to reconstruct the whole Marxist scheme. This analytical Marxism is discussed in detail, along with endeavors by Western Marxists & dissident Marxists in & from Eastern Europe to come to terms with actually existing socialist societies & their basic political tenets. 63 References. Modified HA

Defends Marxist theory against Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe (who replied in number 166 to a criticism of their work by Norman Geras in 163), while maintaining that there remains in Marxist conceptions of politics a reductionism that still needs correction. (Abstract amended)

Marx described the usual image of capitalism presented by bourgeois ideology as not so much falsifying the facts, but interpreting them in a superficially plausible way which reverses their actual meaning. Without this perspective, the social sciences inevitably present a one-sided analysis of the events they study, whose effect is to disguise the actual workings of capitalism. Marxism, the major alternative form of analysis, should be included in the curricula of every U. W. H. Stoddard.

A response to Ronald Aronson's "Toward a Relativized Marxism" (1996/97 [see abstract 9816196]) suggests that Aronson's declaration for the death of Marxism is an indication of his own incomplete break from a particular type of Marxism -- classical modernist. While other Marxists have abandoned this stand, Aronson betrays his continued affiliation to it in his messianic declaration of its death. Aronson's shared predilection for rigidity with classical Marxism is taken to be symptomatic of a desire for historical certainty & a common cultural formation. It is contended that, rather than allowing Marxism to evolve & to change in line with new political & theoretical conditions, Aronson seems intent on confining it to official & now inadequate representations. To avoid this end, it is concluded that Marxists can best preserve the heroic moment of the past by moving forward without denying it. 4 References. D. M. Smith

The claim that Marxism is responsible for the economic & political collapse of the communist states is refuted. Rather, it is argued that the stage of the "liberation" of Marxism is approaching. The phases of the transformation of state socialism into the actual conflict between forces & relations of production are examined using the example of the steel factories in Hungary. Contemporary ideological discourse in Hungary celebrates democracy while the ex-Party apparatchiks are becoming a capitalist class, & the oppositional parties disseminate chauvinism & anti-Semitism. It is predicted that the sale of public enterprises & rapid incorporation into the world market will create new forms of exploitation & underdevelopment. Solutions should be sought in new forms of democratic socialism. A. Devic

Traces the history of Marxist theory & explores some reasons for its failure. It is argued that Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels based their claim of socialism as a scientific theory on their own prophesies of a future proletariat & bourgeoisie class system that would inevitably lead to revolution & subsequent classlessness. Events in 19th-century Europe proved the theory incorrect, as the middle class grew & wealth among the capitalists became more dispersed. Further, it is argued that WWI destroyed the claim that "working men have no country" as men displayed their patriotism by fighting in the war. Next, the Bolshevik revolution & the rise of communism in the USSR are critiqued as means of returning credibility to Marxism because they demolished its theoretical structure: the proletariat had not brought about socialism through revolution, nor was the USSR an advanced capitalist country. Finally, Marxism as an analytic tool is dismissed. I. Sharp

Describes the origins & development of Marxism in Ireland. It is observed that Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels took a great interest in the political & economic developments in Ireland & publicly advocated Irish independence. However, the consequence of the postfamine years prevented the formation of revolutionary movements until the 1860s, with the emergence of Finianism. James Connolly is identified as the first authentic Marxist voice in Ireland, who was very much a part of the second international tradition of Marxism & in regular contact with its European leaders. While Marxism was repressed during WWI & in the years after state formation in the 1920s, the 1960s brought renewed interest of a young generation. This movement fragmented by the 1970s & Marxism remained in decline through the 1980s. In the late 1990s, Marxism is finding a growing audience in Ireland & seems likely to experience a modest revival. 24 References. D. M. Smith