The Algebra of Revolution: The Dialectic and the Classical Marxist Tradition (Revolutionary Studies)

Rating:
Summary: Rescuing the Real Marxist Tradition
Review: John Rees' book is essential reading for anyone who wants a clear yet rigorous treatment of the often misunderstood concept of dialectics in the Marxist tradition. Rees takes the reader from the dialectic's modern origins in the German idealist philosopher Hegel, Marx and Engels'recasting the dialectic in materialist terms through twentieth century dialecticians Lukacs, Lenin and Trotsky. All the while the author clearly explains the controversies and debates that have surounded this idea. He rescues Marxism both from the charge that it views history as inevitable (distortions shared by the Second International and the Stalinist traditions) and that the dialectic is a mystical concept left over from Hegel that has to be gotten rid of to have a true materialist interpretation of the world. The dialectic is a tool for us to better understand the world. The most refreshing thing about the book is that, although rigorous, it is not merely an academic undertaking. Rees throughout the book stresses the idea that theory is useless without practice and only practice can give rise to correct theory. (a very important dialectical concept itself) Rees is a member of the British Socialist Workers Party and years of working in an organized socialist movement gives this book a conection to the real world not often seen in the majortity of academic writing. Buy this book if you want to learn more about the real Marxist tradition freed from its reformist and Stalinist distortions.

Rating:
Summary: Rescuing the Real Marxist Tradition
Review: John Rees' book is essential reading for anyone who wants a clear yet rigorous treatment of the often misunderstood concept of dialectics in the Marxist tradition. Rees takes the reader from the dialectic's modern origins in the German idealist philosopher Hegel, Marx and Engels'recasting the dialectic in materialist terms through twentieth century dialecticians Lukacs, Lenin and Trotsky. All the while the author clearly explains the controversies and debates that have surounded this idea. He rescues Marxism both from the charge that it views history as inevitable (distortions shared by the Second International and the Stalinist traditions) and that the dialectic is a mystical concept left over from Hegel that has to be gotten rid of to have a true materialist interpretation of the world. The dialectic is a tool for us to better understand the world. The most refreshing thing about the book is that, although rigorous, it is not merely an academic undertaking. Rees throughout the book stresses the idea that theory is useless without practice and only practice can give rise to correct theory. (a very important dialectical concept itself) Rees is a member of the British Socialist Workers Party and years of working in an organized socialist movement gives this book a conection to the real world not often seen in the majortity of academic writing. Buy this book if you want to learn more about the real Marxist tradition freed from its reformist and Stalinist distortions.