Marx: A Beginner's Guide

by Andrew Collier

Overview

An accessible and jargon-free introduction breathing new life into the achievements of Karl Marx

Although one of the most influential thinkers of the last millennium, Karl Marx was relatively unheralded during most of his lifetime. Famous for predicting the inevitable demise of capitalism, it was only after his death that his immortal clarion call reached a wide audience: "Workers of the world unite – you have nothing to lose but your chains."

Andrew Collier breathes new life into the achievements of Karl Marx, arguing that his work is still of vital relevance in today’s global climate of inequality. Covering all the elements of Marxist thought from his early writings to his masterpiece, Das Kapital, Collier probes the apparent inconsistencies in Marx’s work and reclaims him as a philosopher and political theorist. This jargon-free introduction is a timely reminder of his undiminished influence, and will fascinate students, activists and interested readers alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851685349
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	03/01/2008
Series:	Beginner's Guides
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Andrew Collier is Professor of Philosophy at the Univeristy of Southhampton, he has lectured on Marx, Critical theory and Radical politics for 30 years and his publications include 'Critical Realism' ( Verso 1998) and 'Being and Worth' ( Routleedge, 1999), in addition to numerous articles.

Table of Contents

Author's note     vi
Prologue     1
The life of Marx     7
Humanism and alienation     21
Towards a science of history     39
Scientific socialism     59
Labour, value and exploitation: I. Theoretical     77
Labour, value and exploitation: II. Historical     95
The state, democracy and revolution     115
Marx and philosophy     131
Paradoxes in Marx's thought?     147
Marx today     165
Bibliography     183
Index     187

Editorial Reviews

"Collier has written a first-rate introduction to Karl Marx. He surveys the full range of Marx’s writings with lucidity and intelligence."

Warren Breckman - Associate Professor of History

"An engaging and lively introduction to Marx’s life and work. It covers a good range of debates with balanced and appreciative judgements, tempered with criticism and critique."

Terrell Carver - Professor of Political Theory

"A superb new introduction to Marx’s thought. Andrew Collier draws readers into this discussion with the relaxed grace and wit of a valued conversation partner, and demonstrates why Marxian thought continues to find an audience in the twenty-first century."

Syracuse University and author of Ideologies of Gl Mark Rupert - Professor of Political Science

"A superb new introduction to Marx's thought. Andrew Collier draws readers into this discussion with the relaxed grace and wit of a valued conversation partner, and demonstrates why Marxian thought continues to find an audience in the twenty-first century." Mark Rupert, Professor of Political Science, Syracuse University and author of Ideologies of Globalization"Collier has written a first-rate introduction to Karl Marx. He surveys the full range of Marx's writings with lucidity and intelligence." Warren Breckman, Associate Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania, and author of Marx, the Young Hegelians, and the Origins of Radical Social Theory

From the Publisher