While the explicit Althusserian engagement with Marx’s Capital remained largely limited to Reading Capital, after 1968, Nick Nesbitt argues, this theoretical intervention remained insistent, adopting the form of a general theory of materialist dialectic. The book thus analyzes the Althusserianist theory of a materialist dialectic across diverse sites including Althusser’s unpublished archive, Macherey’s exposition of Spinoza’s Ethics, and Badiou’s Logics of Worlds, while simultaneously bringing this fully-developed theory of materialist dialectic to bear anew on the reading of Capital itself, to show that Spinoza's influence on Marx is far greater--and that of Hegel increasingly diminishing--than has been previously thought.

This book endeavours to show what capitalism logically is all about. Too much has been talked about without its real identity exposed, or even meant to be exposed.

Marx and Whitehead boldly asks us to reconsider capitalism, not merely as an "economic system" but as a fundamentally self-destructive mode that, by its very nature and operation, undermines the cohesive fabric of human existence. Author Anne Fairchild Pomeroy asserts that it is impossible to appreciate fully the impact of Marx's critique of capitalism without understanding the philosophical system that underlies it. Alfred North Whitehead's work is used to forge a systematic link between process philosophy and dialectical materialism via the category of production. Whitehead's process thought brings Marx's philosophical vision into sharper focus. This union provides the grounds for Pomeroy's claim that the heart of Marx's critique of capitalism is fundamentally ontological, and that therefore the necessary condition for genuine human flourishing lies in overcoming the capitalist form of social relations.

A classic work of Marxist analysis, available unabridged for the first time Originally published in 1965, Reading Capital is a landmark of French thought and radical theory, reconstructing Western Marxism from its foundations. Louis Althusser, the French Marxist philosopher, maintained that Marx’s project could only be revived if its scientific and revolutionary novelty was thoroughly divested of all traces of humanism, idealism, Hegelianism and historicism. In order to complete this critical rereading, Althusser and his students at the École normale supérieure ran a seminar on Capital, re-examining its arguments, strengths and weaknesses in detail, and it was out of those discussions that this book was born. Previously only available in English in highly abridged form, this edition, appearing fifty years after its original publication in France, restores chapters by Roger Establet, Pierre Macherey and Jacques Rancière. It includes a major new introduction by Étienne Balibar.

The publication of Reading Capital—by Louis Althusser, Étienne Balibar, Roger Establet, Pierre Macherey, and Jacques Rancière—in 1965 marked a key intervention in Marxist philosophy and critical theory, bringing forth a stunning array of concepts that continue to inspire philosophical reflection of the highest magnitude. The Concept in Crisis reconsiders the volume’s reading of Marx and renews its call for a critique of capitalism and culture for the twenty-first century. The contributors—who include Alain Badiou, Étienne Balibar, and Fernanda Navarro—interrogate Althusser's contributions in particular within the context of what is surely the most famous collective reading of Marx ever undertaken. Among other topics, they offer a symptomatic critique of Althusser; consider his writing as a materialist production of knowledge; analyze the volume’s conceptualization of value and crisis; examine how leftist Latin American leaders like Che Guevara and Subcomandante Marcos engaged with Althusser and Reading Capital; and draw out the volume's implications and use for feminist theory and praxis. Retrieving the inspiration that drove Althusser's reinterpretation of Marx, The Concept in Crisis explains why Reading Capital's revolutionary inflection retains its critical appeal, prompting readers to reconsider Marx's relevance in an era of neoliberal capitalism. Contributors. Emily Apter, Alain Badiou, Étienne Balibar, Bruno Bosteels, Adrian Johnston, Warren Montag, Fernanda Navarro, Nick Nesbitt, Knox Peden, Nina Power, Robert J. C. Young

No other single author has so commanding a critical presence across so many disciplines within the arts and humanities, in so many national contexts, as Walter Benjamin (1892-1940). The belated reception of his work as a literary critic (dating from the late 1950s) has been followed by a rapid series of critical receptions in different contexts: Frankfurt Critical Theory and Marxism, Judaism, Film Theory, Post-structuralism, Philosophical Romanticism, and Cultural Studies.This collection brings together a selection of the most critically important items in the literature, across the full range of Benjamin's cultural-theoretical interests, from all periods of the reception of his writings, but focusing upon the most recent, to produce a comprehensive overview of the best critical literature.

Many of the leading thinkers on dialectics in the Marxian tradition have collaborated here to put forward and debate challenging new perspectives on the nature and importance of dialectics. The issues dealt with range from the philosophical consideration of the precise nature of dialectical reasoning, to dialectics and economic theory, and to more concrete concerns such as how dialectics can help us think about globalization, freedom, inflation and subjectivity.

First published in 2006 as WPCS 10, On Ideology is a product of discussions which were common to a number of working groups in the Centre. It confronts the recurring problem of the articulation of cultural studies with some Marxist theories of ideology. The first part is explicitly theoretical, comprising expositions and critical readings of important theorists of ideology – from Lukacs and Gramsci to Althusser and Poulantzas, and an overview of sociological approaches. Part II considers the theme in relation to two significant contributions to social-democratic theories and policies: education and ‘community studies’. Part III discusses the problems raised by the notions of ‘subjectivity’ and ‘individuality’. From a series of theoretical engagements, the book aims to provide perspectives from which to develop concrete and politically relevant studies of a key aspect of contemporary social formations. The Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) was a research centre at the University of Birmingham. It is notable for producing many key studies and researchers in the field of Cultural Studies. It was founded in 1964 by Richard Hoggart, who became the first centre director. The Cultural Studies department at the University of Birmingham was closed in 2002.

A concise and accessible introduction to this key theorist.

Is this the right book for me? Marx: A Complete Introduction will familiarize you with the revolutionary thinking of this significant man. It will take you through all the essential concepts - from class struggle to dialectical materialism. Expressing Marx's sometimes complex ideas in simple terms, and backed up with references to his own texts, this book gives you everything you need to know. Marx: A Complete Introduction includes: Chapter 1: Marx's early life Europe at the time of Marx The early life of Marx University life Life as a journalist The Communist Manifesto Exile Chapter 2: Marx's later life The move to London Family life in London Marx and Engels Work in London Das Kapital The International The later years Chapter 3: Marx and philosophy A brief history of philosophy Which philosophers influenced Marx? Ancient Greek philosophers European philosophy Utopian Socialists Revolutionaries and anarchists The importance of Hegel and Feuerbach How did Marx differ from those who went before? Political economy What part did Engels play? Chapter 4: Economic theory Dialectical materialism, historical materialism and economy The capitalist economy Commodities Theory of surplus value Profit and the division of labour Capitalism in crisis Falling wages and profits Social labour Accumulation and crisis Centralization of the economy Was Marx right about the economy? Chapter 5: Economy and society Imperialism and colonialism Fetishism Exploitation Chapter 6: Class, class struggle and revolution Introduction The development of capitalist society Dialectical materialism and class structure Class in the capitalist society Ideology Class struggle Workers' power and education The Communist League and class struggle The International Working Men's Association Is revolution inevitable? Chapter 7: Further Marxist thought After the revolution Communist society Religion Women's rights and the family Art and culture Freedom and the individual Chapter 8: Marxism after Marx - ideas that changed the world The spread of Marxist thought The development of socialism Russian communism Chinese communism The Cold War The decline of communism Has Marxism failed? Chapter 9: Marxism after Marx - the development of Marxist thought Types of Marxism Where does Marx fit in? Is Marxism relevant in the twenty-first century? The future Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features: Author insights Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. Test yourself Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. Five things to remember Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. Try this Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.