Key Thinkers from Critical Theory to Post-Marxism
- Simon Tormey - University of Sydney, Australia
- Jules Townshend - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- James Martin, Goldsmiths, University of London
"Excellent textbook - critical, challenging and thoroughly engaging!"
- Richard White, Sheffield Hallam University
"In language which is clear without being simplistic, Tormey and Townshend help readers think about ways to live 'with and without Marx' in the wake of Marxism’s historical failures as well as its continuing relevance to life under globalizing capitalism."
- Mark Rupert, Syracuse University
Key Thinkers in Critical Theory to Post Marxism is a comprehensive introduction to perhaps the most key intellectual trend in contemporary critical theory. In jargon-free language, it seeks to unpack, explain and review many of the key figures behind the rethinking of the legacy of Marxism in theory and practice.
Key thinkers covered include Cornelius Castoriadis, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Deleuze and Guattari, Laclau and Mouffe, Agnes Heller, Jacques Derrida, J rgen Habermas and post-Marxist feminism.
Each chapter covers a key thinker or contribution and thus can be read as a stand alone introduction to the principal aspects of their approach. Each chapter is followed by a summary of key points with a guide to further reading.
Underlying the text is also the central question: What is Post-Marxism? Instead of viewing Post-Marxism as an ideology, movement or tradition of theorizing, the authors advocate Post-Marxism as a loose appellation describing those who have problematised Marx’s approach to understanding and challenging contemporary capitalism. As such the book also offers an engaging commentary on some of the key political developments of our time including, for example, the anti-globalisation movement.
Key Thinkers in Critical Theory to Post Marxism provides an ideal introduction to a hitherto complex subject and will be essential reading for students of contemporary social and political inquiry.
This book has a great structure and the content delivers on what is offered in the title. Particularly enjoyed the chapter in Deleuze and Guattari.
This book contains background reading for many of the key theorists I discuss on my course.
This text provides a valuable overview of a range of critical theory and is written in a very accessible manner, given the complexity of the topics introduced. Rightly or wrongly, too often critical theory is presented in a limited fashion with Marx and Freire occupying centre stage. This text opens the reader up to a wider range of critical theorists and offers perspectives that may challenge students to consider critical theory from unexpected points of view.
It is a very good textbook giving an overview of prominent scholars. The students find it interesting, easy to read and especially liked the summarizing bullet points and further reading sections at the end of each chapter.
A comprehensive yet accessibly written review of a much-neglected aspect of critical theory in undergraduate teaching.
Useful and interesting overview. Pearhaps too advanced for HNC.
This is a really useful resource and helps my students to join up thinkers, providing insightful and digestible information on theorists we don't have time to cover in depth on the module. Great book.
Excellent textbook - critical, challenging and thoroughly engaging!
Outstanding introductory textbook.
