Marxism and History: A critical introduct

by S. H. Rigby

Overview

This critically aclaimed book, now in its second edition is firmly established as an essential guide to this recent historiographical debate.

Adopted as a set book by the Open University.

An indispensable guide to Marxist historiography for undergradu. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780719056123
Publisher:	Manchester University Press
Publication date:	11/19/1998
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

S.H. Rigby is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Manchester

Table of Contents

Introduction
Marx's ambiguous legacy
Forces and relations of production
Marx's productive force determinism
Productive force determinism as Marxist orthodoxy.
The origins of productive force determinism.
Productive force determinism: A critique and an alternative.
Productive force determinism and functional explanation.
Productive force determinism: A critique.
Productive force determinism: An alternative.
Base and superstructure: Definition and determination.
Modes of production: Variant forms of the 'base'.
The political superstructure.
The idealist superstructure.

Editorial Reviews

"This volume is an excellent contribution to historiography." --A.G.Meyer, "American Historical Review"
"Readable and scholarly . . . Refreshingly sober and discerning." --R.N.Berki, "Political Studies"


“This volume is an excellent contribution to historiography.” —A.G.Meyer, "American Historical Review"
“Readable and scholarly . . . Refreshingly sober and discerning.” —R.N.Berki, "Political Studies"


0;This volume is an excellent contribution to historiography.1; 2;A.G.Meyer, "American Historical Review"
0;Readable and scholarly . . . Refreshingly sober and discerning.1; 2;R.N.Berki, "Political Studies"


" This volume is an excellent contribution to historiography." -- A.G.Meyer, "American Historical Review"
" Readable and scholarly . . . Refreshingly sober and discerning." -- R.N.Berki, "Political Studies"

From the Publisher

Marx's theory of history is often regarded as the most enduring and fruitful aspect of his intellectual legacy. This work establishes Marx's claims about social structure and historical change, discusses their use in his own and his follower's writings, and assesses the validity of his theories, with particular emphasis on the study of pre-industrial societies. Argues that Marx's social theories were profoundly contradictory and that Marxism is most useful when it is seen as a source of questions, concepts, and hypotheses, rather than as a philosophy of historical development. This second edition is revised. The author is a reader in history at the University of Manchester. Distributed by St. Martin's Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews