The Revenge of History by Alex Callinicos
Callinicos's new book is a frontal assault on the widely accepted idea that the East European revolutions of 1989 mark the death of socialism. In an attempt to vindicate the classical Marxist tradition, Callinicos argues that socialism in this tradition can only come from below, through the self-activity of the working class. Stalinism from this standpoint was a 'counter-revolution', erecting at the end of the 1920s a state capitalist regime on the ruins of the radically democratic socialism briefly achieved in October 1917. He further argues that the collapse of Stalinism at the end of the 1980s was only one aspect of a world-wide transition from nationally organized to globally integrated capitalism. The result is likely to be greater economic and political instability. Against this background socialism - in Marx's sense - is all the more necessary. He concludes that the collapse of Stalinism should be less the moment to abandon socialism than to resume unfinished business.
WINNER of THE DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARSHIP BOOK AWARD from the MARXIST SOCIOLOGY SECTION of the AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
'Appears at an ideal time ... it is an easy and enjoyable read.' Socialist Worker Review
'A concise and readable analysis which can serve as an excellent introduction to recent events and future prospects in eastern Europe and the Soviet Union ... this book has a lot to recommend it.' Times Higher Education Supplement
'A spirited assault on the widely accepted view that the East European revolutions of 1989 marked the death of socialism... this is rightly a brief and provocative, and all the better for it.' Political Studies
Alex Callinicos is professor of European Studies at King's College London. He has written widely about Marxism and social theory. His most recent books are Social Theory (1999), Equality (2000), Imperialism and Global Political Economy (2009), and Bonfire of Illusions (2010), all published by Polity. He is editor of the journal International Socialism.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780745608488 |
| ISBN 10 | 0745608485 |
| Title | The Revenge of History |
| Author | Alex Callinicos |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Polity Press |
| Year published | 1991-02-14 |
| Number of pages | 176 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |