Reason and Revolution: Hegel and the Rise of Social Theory

by Herbert Marcuse

We are now faced with a political future that initiated itself with the sudden collapse of Soviet Communism and the unexpected declaration of a "New World Order." In this rapidly changing sea of political realities, there is no better guide to where we have been and to what we might expect than Marcuse. As he well understood, turbulent and spectacular political events always ran within channels earlier set by political theory; he equally understood that it was Hegel's often unappreciated and often misunderstood theory that actually set the fundamental path toward modern political life. It is a fortunate combination to have a scholar of Marcuse's unquestioned brilliance and lucid honesty addressing the sources and consequences of Hegel's social theory.

431 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

German-Jewish philosopher, political theorist and sociologist, and a member of the Frankfurt School. Celebrated as the "Father of the New Left", his best known works are Eros and Civilization, One-Dimensional Man and The Aesthetic Dimension. Marcuse was a major intellectual influence on the New Left and student movements of the 1960s.

Reviews

[Shane Thayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of you are interested in Hegel and the dialectical process as it relates to the development of social theory and fascism. If you are not familiar with some of that I'd start with his book "One Dimensional Man."