Why Read Marx Today?

by Jonathan Wolff

The fall of the Berlin Wall had enormous symbolic resonance, marking the collapse of Marxist politics and economics. Indeed, Marxist regimes have failed miserably, and with them, it seems, all reason to take the writings of Karl Marx seriously. Jonathan Wolff argues that if we detach Marx the critic of current society from Marx the prophet of some never-to-be-realized worker's paradise, he remains the most impressive critic we have of liberal, capitalist, bourgeois society. The author shows how Marx's main ideas still shed light on wider concerns about culture and society and he guides the reader through Marx's notoriously difficult writings. Wolff also argues that the value of a great thinker does not depend on his or her views being true, but on other features such as originality, insight, and systematic vision. From this perspective, Marx still richly deserves to be read. Why Read Marx Today? reinstates Marx as an important critic of current society, and not just a figure of historical interest.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, History, Sociology

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jonathan Wolff is a Professor specialising in political philosophy at University College London, in England. Wolff earned his MPhil from UCL under the direction of G.A. Cohen. He is the secretary of the British Philosophical Association and honorary secretary of the Aristotelian Society, which publishes Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society. Recently, Wolff's work has specialized in disadvantage and equality and public policy decision making.

Reviews

[Dominic Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

O carte as spune iluminatoare care m-a surprins destul de puternic. Cresterea mea conservatoare m-a facut sa mi-l imaginez pe Marx ca pe ceva monstru cu idei dubioase, dar cat de eronata era supozitia mea...

Dupa ce am citit carticioara asta, sunt si eu (ca si autorul) ferm convins ca Marx ramane unul din cei mai inteligenti critici ai capitalismului. Nu o data am simtit o profunda atractie pentru una sau alta din ideile lui. Ilustrand problemele liberalismului capitalist, am inceput si eu sa ma simt apasat, blocat intr-un ciclu fara scapare din care nu doar ca nu pot iesi ci imi pot doar accepta alienarea propriei mele creativitati. Asta e efectul lui.

Dar... Si aici e un mare dar. Lucrurile is mai complicate de atat. Solutiile lui Marx se bazeaza pe teorii (ale istoriei, ale fiintei umane) destul de limitate, ceea ce face din ideea comunista ceva ce, nu doar ca nu poate fi pus in practica, dar s-ar putea ca odata practica (inclusiv in forma sa ideala) sa nu rezolve niciuna din probleme.

Dar, ca si cu orice filozof valoros, ideile lui sunt bune, nu intr-atat cat sunt transpuse in realitate, ci prin originalitate si "insight".

[Roberto Yoed · Rating 1 out of 5]

This dude thinks marxism is no longer relevant.

[Shreya Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this easy introduction to Marx and his ideas if you want to begin your journey of comprehending Marx and his ideology!

One of my aims is to know Marx, be a little versed in the idea of "Surplus Value" and be able to strongly criticize "Capitalism" for looting people's labour and be a good Marxist.

[Harry Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging! Perhaps a good starting place for newcomers. Wolff here presents Marx's position in a clear and simple manner. From this 'Engelized Marx' explication the alienation (alienated labour) is the ultimate source of all miseries on earth which lead human beings to the creation of religions. Where does the alienation come from then? Under capitalism workers become alienated or separated from the product, productive activity (labour process/division of labour), themselves (species-being and human-essence), and from other people. Money, Marx argues, is what alienates people from other people. Money is the 'universal whore'. Liberalism disguises itself as a emancipator which provides different catalogue of rights only to protect from each other and thus reinforce alienation from one another. Then how do we escape from or transcend this alienation? Marx argues that we must adopt 'communist system' which is not to be achieved by intellutuals but by workers themselves. Workers must make their own revolution "Philosophers have only interpreted the world, the point, is to change it."

[Sergey Steblyov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview that explicitly talks about specific sources of biases in its approach to Marx. Starts out quite beautifully too. Objections to labor theory of value are quite superficial: I think they could benefit from seeing it as an attempt to describe the central mechanism in the capitalist mode of production, not the entirety of the economic system, and from the idea that it’s an analytical theory written by a historically minded theorist so it is not about whether it is “true” but about *when* it was truer than in other periods and why.

Definitely better than Singer’s very short introduction tho.

[Muhammad al-Khwarizmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

You don't have to be a Marxist, much less a dyed-in-the-wool Marxist, to appreciate this. The author is very evenhanded in his appraisal of Marx, his work and his influence up to the present time.

[João Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muitos pensarão, Ah, mais um livro a defender regimes comunistas que mostraram na prática falhar clamorosamente. Pois, mas Marx denunciou os graves problemas sociais na Europa durante o séc. XIX. Havia uma classe severamente explorada e por isso Marx defendia uma sociedade sem classes que seria atingida quando o comunismo substituísse o capitalismo, condenado a desaparecer.
Naturalmente, a argumentação de Marx é poderosa, mas também apresenta falhas (muito) difíceis de resolver. O prof. Jonathan Wolff resume muitíssimo bem este pensamento, revelando-se um admirador de Marx sem, no entanto, acreditar no sucesso que Marx previa para o comunismo.

Este livro ajudou-me na reflexão sobre qual o papel de um partido comunista numa sociedade capitalista como a nossa?

[Damini · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

I mean, Marx did say that material conditions dictate human behaviour, but the author either didn't read that (hard to believe), or chose to ignore it and go down the worn-out path of "hoomans be selfish", and honestly, that alone renders most of his analysis null. But the first two chapters were really good, a succint and sharply written summary of complex ideas and theories. Would recommend as a starter to Marxism.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're in need of a good introduction to Marxist theory, and some of the issues surrounding its contemporary relevance, this book constitutes a good place to start. To its credit, it is accessible, engaging and concise.

However, I found that the treatment of Marx's ideas expressed here to be rather shallow; there wasn't sufficient detail and depth for those wanting to get to grips with some of the finer detail of key Marxist concepts. A good place to begin to be sure, but those wishing to seek out a fuller and more detailed exegesis of Marx's writings should look elsewhere.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I did not inherently agree with his main thesis - that Marx is historically important and thus should be read - I would have walked away from this book unconvinced. Rather than confirming my own thoughts it throws no new light. As a summary of Marx's work, I found it enlightening and helpful. However, Wolff often comes across as condescending and though I might recommend this one, it is in virtue of my having discovered nothing better, not any inherently outstanding qualities within the work.

[Wendy Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a decent intro to Marx, coming from someone who’s quite critical of some of Marx’s conclusions. I disagree with Wolfe’s take on the labour theory of value & his optimism in the power of markets but YMMV

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

fav work of political philosophy i’ve ever read. wolff manages to explain marx’s main theories in accessible language without dumbing them down. ultimately he rejects historical materialism& the labour theory of value but argues that there is a lot still of value in marx’s thought.

[Alvito Bintang Angga Pamungkas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jadi isi pokok dari buku ini secara garis besar, mengkaji ide-ide inti Marx, seperti kritik terhadap kapitalisme, alienasi, eksploitasi, dan surplus value, serta bagaimana konsep-konsep tersebut tetap relevan untuk memahami fenomena sosial, ekonomi, dan politik kontemporer.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick. Concise. Sharp.

This is useful for short summaries of ideas in Marx's work, but nowhere near comprehensive. A good beginning, and I appreciate that Wolff doesn't spend time lollygagging about the real issues, but I feel he could have said more. His attempt at organization was only somewhat effective, as I felt his ideas overlapped all over the place. But he is very well spoken and enjoyable to read. I would take one of his classes or listen to him speak someday, if I ever could.

A book on politics that's easy to devour in only two sittings? Not too shabby, Mr. Wolff.

[Ft. Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and British. Hatin' on the theory of human nature, but I forgive.

[Ariana Razavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

while i almost entirely disagree with wolff’s assessment of marx’s main theories, the first two chapters—a précis of these theories—are fantastic

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I commend this read to anyone with a desire to peaceably unify a deep-seated resentment of alienating and exploitative essences of capitalism; an underlying affinity for idealist Marxist communism; and an apprehensive uncertainty about the ability of any heretofore-developed socialist thought to successfully provide any piece of framework upon which the bridge of transition between the two might be built.

Why read Marx today? Because any sufficiently self-conscious "successful" integration of historical and dialectical materialism provides, to the wits of this mind, a virtually unassailable platform upon which one may orient oneself as a unique individuation of an awareness that exists simultaneously inescapably-inside and impenetrably-outside the arena of history. I aver that the cornerstone of our humanity is our dual essence, existing as creatures aware of and fundamentally manifesting as a function of dynamics between what we conceive of as higher and lower aspects. Marx's vision was bounded in time and space, constrained by cultural and political mores even as the radicalness of his thought echoes among the halls of this very day. But it is nonetheless a lively and yes even-yet powerful heritage available to all whose visions of the future center around a family of humankind freed from the individual and collective yokes of a cart built to carry a privileged few some place they feel confident we all ought to be headed, obstinately ignorant of the extent to which all paces are hindered, all spirits calloused and bruised, and all earnings tendered in blood-money so long as the reins of the horse are held by any other than the one whose allegiance is to none other than the toiling beasts of burden the stately passengers have condemned so many of their kin to be.

Wolff is not reluctant to criticize Marx's shortcomings, or to carefully and unapologetically analyze the failures of its manifestations and contemporary attempts to modernize his thought. He concludes however in proclamation of the vast "insight and illumination" available and relevant to the workers and thinkers of today who consult the words of he who remains "the most profound and acute critic of capitalism."

[José Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just absolutely love Jo Wolff's writing. Crystal clear, marvellously enlightening and always exciting.
All that and more make this book (by far) the best introduction to Marx's thinking out there. From the economics and sociology to philosophy, Wolff guides us with remarkable precision through all of Marx's major ideas.
I'd highlight the discussion on "On the Jewish Question", an often neglected work of Marx that is likely his best take on political philosophy.
Wolff's objections to Marx's principles and theories (last chapter) are also extremely poignant, and, most of all, constructive.
I just missed something. Some remarks on the relationship between Marx's thinking and current theories of equality, namely relational equality. I think there are interesting connections to be made here, and as Wolff is known for his work on the matter, I was hoping it would be a relevant part of the book.
Regardless of that, this is a wonderful book. I recommend it for anyone getting started on Marxian ideas, or that is need of a recap.

[Phersolopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

نام کتاب را بهتر است بعنوان یک پرسش انکاری تفسیر کرد با این مضمون که " چرا ضرورتی ندارد امروز مارکس بخوانیم"، به این معنا که چرا نظریات محوری مارکس امروزه ارزش علمی ندارند و پرداختن به آنها تنها از حیث تاریخِ اندیشه میتواند مورد باشد.

کتاب، ابتدا در دو فصل ایده‌های اصلیِ مارکس را شرح میدهد و پس از آن در فصل آخر به نقدهایی میپردازد که موجب شد مارکسیسم به نظریه‌ای منسوخ و مردود تبدیل شود. نویسنده با رویکردی تحلیلی تلاش کرده است نظریه ها و دلایلی که مارکس برای دفاع از آنها داشته است را با وضوح و سادگی بیان کند، علاوه بر آن، مختصری از تاریخچه مارکسیسم ارائه دهد تا خواننده با بستری که نظریات مارکس را شکل داد، و بسترهایی که مارکس آنها را شکل داد آشنا شود.

این کتاب و به خصوص فصل سوم آن را در وجه اول میتوان به کسانیکه ممکن است هنوز در قرن بیست و یکم به خرافات و توهمات مارکسیستی باور داشته باشند، معرفی کرد. میتواند تلنگری باشد برای هر کسی که هنوز دریچه‌ای گشوده به روی حقیقت دارد و این ایدئولوژی تسخیرش نکرده است.

[Mohit Dhanjani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for its simple language in explaining Karl Marx’s major ideas. It is short and to the point.

It is a must read if you want introduction to Marx and his ideas in a balanced way.

This book is particularly useful as it contains updated list of ‘Further Reading’ than the one initially published by Oxford University Press in its Short Introduction Series.

[Zay Min Htut Aung · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book enough to read for whoever studying in Marx theory and in critical-analysis fields.
I appreciate this book but feel unsatisfied for reading Marx theory and his works on society with this over-hundred pages.So,this book refers for Critical works than for Marx.Dear Wolf,"Why read Marx today?" let me answer you"we read Marx today to get the critical thinking. ^^

[Chun Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never know philosophy can be so succinct and plain; the flow is so clear it's like Wolff lit the bulbs one by one and ultimately unveiled the whole path to deciphering Marxism. This is an essential companion to it.

[Päter · Rating 3 out of 5]

En koncis och bra introduktion till marxistisk teori och en del tankar om problem med en del begrepp idag.

[Albin Hjertström · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and good if you're interested in Marx on a surface level and need somewhere to start

[Hamish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this alongside Proust is quite the juxtaposition.

[Georgie Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very digestible intro to Marx’s ideas, written in a refreshingly clear way. Just be aware that Cohen and co. take an approach to Marx which is by no means the gospel.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

eat the rich

[Millie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginners introduction.

[Johny5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book accomplishes the goal of giving an introduction to Marx in a concise and impartial manner.

[Ben]

nothing great but pretty good for its short length. mostly just good as a collection and discussion of things other ppl have said abt marx, in a very brief way