Western Marxism, Anthology

20th-century Western Marxism emerged, to a great extent, in opposition to `orthodox' Stalinist Marxism, as Western theorists took Marxism and rewrote it in their own terms. This determined the general philosophical orientation of Western Marxism and in turn influenced its interpretation of historical materialism, its models of socialist political practice, and its views on human liberation. This anthology of readings from the most significant post-Leninist Marxist thinkers demonstrates the extent to which that transformation took place. In an illuminating introduction, Roger Gottlieb places the readings in context to provide a clear account of intellectual debates and responses to the historical events that gave rise to the Western Marxist tradition. As such the collection is essential reading for students of 20th-century Marxism. This selection also reflects the diversity and high level of intellectual accomplishment fostered by the movement, from the influential and controversial essays of Karl Lorsch and Georg Lukaks in the early 1920s to the writings of contemporary socialist feminists.

Review: "An excellent text to supplement a study of Karl Marx and current political thought. The inclusion of feminist thought makes it doubly useful."--Susan Hunter, West Virginia University "Provides a concise yet comprehensive selection of crucial Western Marxist writings. The theoretical breadth of the anthology is particularly notable, in its avoidance of eulogizing the Frankfurt School, and its emphasis upon socialist-feminist texts."--Robin R. Walz, University of California, Davis "An extremely useful survey of the interface between law and society."--David P. Adams, Columbus State Community College "A fine collection of recent Marxist writings."--David J. Detmer, Valparaiso University "A very good collection....Includes selections from many different contemporary aspects of the modern left."--Stephen Joseph, Framingham State College "Very good selection of papers in a handsome format and affordable to students."--David B. Boersema, Pacific University "The best of its kind, with the key authors and key essays!"--George V. Zito, Syracuse University "A very good introduction to the high points of Western Marxism. The texts are the central texts in that tradition...[and] these selections are quite the best. I am not aware of any comparable book now available. Gottlieb's Introduction is nothing short of impressive. He is obviously intimately acquainted with the large body of Marxian and post-Marxian literature, as well as with the political movements that were, to varying extents, inspired by the writings of Karl Marx. He manages to provide a very complex account of the intellectual debates and the responses to historical events that gave rise to the tradition known as 'Western Marxism.' He does this in a way that the undergraduate will find intelligible and interesting. I consider Gottlieb's Introduction a first-rate piece of scholarly writing."--Richard Schmitt, Brown University "Just very good."--Jean Belkhir, University of Wisconsin, Superior