Marx And History: From Primitive Society To The Communist Future [Paperback]

In this book Marx's observations on history, which are found scattered throughout his voluminous writings, are brought together and subjected to searching analysis.

D. Ross Gandy writes in refreshingly direct language, without resorting to jargon. For the first time we have a thoughtful assessment of Marx's views onallthe epochs that cross his historical vision. Gandy treats Marx's ideas on primitive societies, on ancient Roman and Asiatic civilization, on the structure of feudalism, on strategies for overthrowing capitalism, and on the hypothetical communist future. Among the author's departures from traditional readings of Marx are his interpretations of class struggle, his conception of social strata, and his cogent analysis of the "new Marxism."

Since many aspects of Marxist historical theory have been neglected or distorted, Gandy's remarkably clear commentary, based on extensive research—including an exhaustive study of the forty-volume Marx-EngelsWerke—will doubtless stimulate debate among sociologists and other students of social change, political scientists, and historians.

• Prefatory Note
• Acknowledgments
• I. The New Marxism
  • Official Marxism
  • The New Marxism
  • History and Marx
• II. Precapitalist Modes of Production
  • Primitive Communism
  • The Asiatic Mode
  • The Ancient Mode
  • The Feudal Mode
  • Conclusion
• III. Capitalism
  • The Rise of Capitalism
  • Continuing Revolution
• IV. Communism
  • The Socioeconomic Structure
  • The Transition Period
  • The Future Society