International Socialists

Ben Coggins

In an excellent introduction by British academic and activist Alex Callinicos, Marx's philosophy is clearly explained, with lively references to the history and politics of his time and of the present.

Since it was first published in 1983, The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx has become a standard introduction to the basic principles of Marxism and a socialist classic. Written to help rescue Marx from the misrepresentation that he has suffered at the hands of both enemies and so-called friends, it gives a surprisingly clear and consistent picture of Marx's thought.

Callinicos offers a concise historical overview of Marx's philosophical and political context, and the European revolutionary tradition he inherited. He shows how Marx harmonised the most advanced political philosophy and economic theory of the time, developing and clarifying them in a search for a complete and systematic revolutionary philosophy. Marx's ideas are so often presented by other academics as complex to the point of incomprehensibility. Callinicos distils the essence of Marx's ideas on such things as: historical materialism; the working class; alienation; surplus value; economic crisis; and workers revolution in a style that is both rigorous and readable.

Without hero-worship though: Callinicos maintains a critical analysis, pointing out Marx's mistakes and shortcomings. Above all, Callinicos emphasises that Marxism is a philosophy of practice; one that must either be in dialogue with the world or else become an abstract and irrelevant dogma.

One small criticism is that Callinicos' discursive style, while helping readability, at times renders his arguments scattered and repetitive. Nonetheless, The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx provides both an essential introduction to Marx's ideas, and a enlightening refresher course and reference book for those already familiar with revolutionary socialism.