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How To Change The World: Marx And Marxism 1840-2011 (2011)

by Eric J. Hobsbawm(Favorite Author)

3.8 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1408702878 (ISBN13: 9781408702871)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Little Brown and Company

review 1: The sweep of Hobsbawm's vision and practice of historical materialism is breathtaking. The cyclical ups and downs in the fortunes of Marx's popularity in the intellectual circles is one constant theme of the book which is firmly located in the larger socio-political-economic context, the position and tactics of Marxist- social democratic parties and corresponding changes in the nature and organic composition of capitalism as well as the working class. The practice is 'historical materialist' in the sense that it recognizes Marxism itself as a historical product and thus doesn't shun away from locating failures- both theoretical as well as practical ones. At the same time, the endeavor remains aware that it is foolish to just put the entire blame of retreat of socialist for... moreces on the political parties and labor movements which were actually practicing it since they remained subject to their times, the mode of production under which they operated and the classes and their compositions which they were representing. The sections about Marx and pre-capitalist formations, about Gramsci and meaning and criticality of hegemony, united front against Fascism and relation of Marxism with natural sciences are a must-read for every progressive person. The book ends on an open-ended note- while acknowledging frankly that manual labor working class can no longer be the 'agent'- there's just a brief suggestion of new struggles around identities like race, gender, caste, nationality etc. not ignoring the imminent threat of fascisms and other troubles with identity politics. In the end, it is easy to disagree with Hobsbawm; even pinpoint his biases and preferences, his enthusiasm for social-democracy (and especially British Labor party). However, his practice of scientific historical materialism (i.e. while being critical of Stalin, put forth the reasons why USSR emerged as the utopian place not just for the Marxists but for broader sections of working people and even scientists; what role the communist and left parties played in anti-fascist struggle, how planning became a viable and inspiring alternative even in 1930s) overshadows that. It truly is a wonderful read; one that compels to go back to it again and again.
review 2: It's one of the most readable and informative books on Marx and Marxism *if* you don't expect to learn how to change the world or read about Che Guevara. I guess a common discrepancy between the content and the publisher's marketing department is the reason for the title and cover. The actual book is a combination of at times heavy exegesis of Marx and Engels' original work and the reception history of Marx and later thinkers. Although the book is actually a collection of earlier articles, they read well together and Hobsbawm writes with an eminent and sympathetic tone that is a pleasure to read. Don't let the page count discourage you, you'll read this in a couple of days even without previous knowledge of Marx or Marxism. less

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