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Class, Crisis and the State

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Brief Description
Class, Crisis and the State is a foundational work of 20th century socialist thinking. Wright redraws our conception of the core problems of Marxism. This book intervenes in four theoretical areas of deep importance to contemporary Marxism. Class is reconceptualised to reflect the realities of developed,... Read More
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"His ideas captured the imagination of audiences, intellectuals and activists across the globe . Wright reinvented the meaning of socialism."-New York Times

A foundational work of twentieth-century socialist thought

A groundbreaking contribution to Marxian social science.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Class, Crisis and the State is a foundational work of 20th century socialist thinking. Wright redraws our conception of the core problems of Marxism. This book intervenes in four theoretical areas of deep importance to contemporary Marxism.

Class is reconceptualised to reflect the realities of developed, service-oriented economies. Wright then takes aim at classical theories of crisis, using modern recessions and depressions to appraise the power of the various explanations.

Finally, we are guided through a new understanding of the role of bureaucracy, deftly marrying the ideas of Lenin, Weber, and Marx with the empirical reality of advanced capitalist societies.

A concluding chapter brings together the practical lessons of these theoretical analyses in an examination of the problems faced by potential left governments coming to power in capitalist states. What are the barriers to transforming the state and society? How can these barriers be overcome?

Class, Crisis and the State offers socialists and reformers alike a sober view of the structural factors that block the path to progress.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804290477

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 January 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Edition: New edition

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 253g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Erik Olin Wright (1947–2019) was Vilas Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin and former president of the American Sociological Association. He authored many books, including Classes, Interrogating Inequality, Class Counts, Deepening Democracy (with Archon Fung), and Envisioning Real Utopias

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