Description

Karl Marx is one of the most influential philosophers of all time, whose theories have shaped and directed political, economic, and social thought for 150 years. Considering Marxs life and impact, renowned philosopher Peter Singer identifies the central vision that unifies Marxs thought, enabling us to grasp Marxs views as a whole. Presenting Marx as a philosopher primarily concerned with human freedom, rather than as an economist or a social scientist, Singer explains Marxs key ideas on alienation, historical materialism, and the economic theory of Capital, in plain English.

In this new edition, Singer explores whether Marx remains relevant to the twenty-first century, and if so, how. Does the fact that eight billionaires now own as much as the bottom half of the worlds population give support to Marxist thinking? Does the ease with which conservative politicians can win over working class voters by appealing to nationalism undermines Marxs view of class struggle and the inevitability of victory for the proletariat? Singer ponders key questions such as these, and also discusses the place of the internet as a productive force when analyzed in Marxist theory. He concludes with an assessment of Marxs legacy, asking if there is any realistic prospect of replacing capitalism with a better system of production and distribution in the twenty-first century.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Author: Peter Singer
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 05/01/2018
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 152
Weight: 0.2lbs
Size: 6.80h x 5.00w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9780198821076
Language: English