Marxism and Politics

"The best primer on Marxism and politics ever written" —Leo Panitch, Professor of Politics, York University, Toronto

"Lucid and readable ... An excellent introduction" —Times Higher Education Supplement

This classic book argues for a reinvigoration of Marxist political theory, based on 20th-century experiences of communism and counter-revolution.

Offering an overview of key writings by a variety of thinkers including Marx, Engels and Lenin, the book tackles questions including:

• How and why does capitalism limit democracy and the meaning of citizenship?
• What is class and class conflict?
• Why did post-revolutionary regimes, like the Soviet Union, fail to establish a system of socialist democracy?

Ultimately, Miliband argues that the task of Marxist politics is to build democratic socialism by defending civic freedoms and extending and enlarging them by removing class boundaries.

This book considers the nature of class conflict and the possibilities for reform and revolution.

Ralph Miliband (1924-1994) was a British sociologist and one of the best-known Marxists of his generation. He was Professor of Politics at the London School of Economics, Leeds University, and York University. Born to Polish parents in Belgium, he fled to Britain in 1940 to avoid Nazi persecution. He became a British citizen in 1948. His sons are David and Ed Miliband.