Marx and the Alternative to Capitalism By Kieran Allen

I have no idea why this is filed under 'sociology' by the publisher. It's a standard intro to Marx's thought with some contemporary examples thrown in. Allen does a prime job in outlining why Marx is relevant, no question there. But the blueprint for a socialist society sounds hopelessly utopian and says little about the active resistance of the capitalist world in the event of a revolution. The requirement for a global revolution is barely glossed over. A approach more faithful to Marx would have looked at the Paris Commune, Cuba, Chile in the 1970s, or Venezuela to assess the challenges to real socialism. Anyway, a solid introduction. Marx and the Alternative to Capitalism

Kieran Allen â 5 Read

If we are serious about finding a different way to run the post-credit crunch society, we must start by introducing alternatives to undergraduates. Kieran Allen begins the task with an accessible and comprehensive look at the ideas of Karl Marx.

Dispensing with the dryness of traditional explanations of Marx, Allen shows how Marx's ideas apply to modern society. The first section briefly outlines Marx's life and the development of his work, then goes on to clearly explain his key theories, including historical materialism and surplus value. The second section examines alternatives to capitalism, the concept of ‘anti-capitalism’ and provides concrete, contemporary examples of Marx’s theories being put into practice in today’s world.

This book provides a crucial alternative for undergraduates in sociology and politics. Marx and the Alternative to Capitalism