Piketty, Marx, and the Spectre of Inequality
Adam Booth contrasts the economic theories of Thomas Piketty with those of Karl Marx.
Marxist theory
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The Crisis of Cosmology – Part three
In the final part of his series on the crisis of cosmology, Adam Booth looks at the more recent attempts to take the field of theoretical physics forward and explains the role that Marxism and the philosophy of dialectical materialism can play in guiding scientific research.
The Crisis of Cosmology – Part two
Continuing his series on the crisis of cosmology, Adam Booth analyses the philosophical problems at the heart of quantum mechanics and explains the problems facings scientists who are attempting to reconcile this theory with Einstein’s theory of General Relativity to create a “Theory of Everything”.
The Crisis of Cosmology
For many years now, storm clouds have been amassing on the horizon in the field of theoretical physics, with an accumulation of evidence and inconsistencies that bring the current cosmological models into question. In this article, Adam Booth explores and analyses the crisis in modern science from a Marxist perspective.
Marx’s Capital: Chapters 23-25 – Accumulation
We continue here our series on Marx’s Capital, looking at the question of accumulation. Capital is dynamic. “Money never sleeps”. For capital to act as capital, it must continuously be in motion – continually seeking to create value from value. It is this overall dynamic of capital towards which Marx now turns his attention in chapters 23-25.
What is Marxism?
In this recent talk to the UCLU Marxist Society, Alan Woods explains the main concepts behind the ideas of Marxism, including dialectical materialism – the philosophy of Marxism – and Marx’s economic analysis.
Prologue to Rosa Luxemburg’s Reform or Revolution
Rosa Luxemburg was one of the most important figures in the history of the international workers’ movement.Reform or Revolution was one of the most important of her early writings. Written in 1899, it provides a devastating demolition of the theoretical and practical basis of reformism. It was completely valid at the time when it was written and it remains completely valid today.
150 years since the foundation of the First International: the working class needs a revolutionary International
On 28th September 1864, delegates from different countries gathered in St. Martin’s Hall in London. This was the most serious attempt yet to unite the advanced layers of the working class on an international scale. Alan Woods looks at the history of international revolutionary organisation and the need for a Marxist International today.
The First International: 150 years on
One hundred and fifty years ago, on 28th September 1864, the International Working Men’s Association, more commonly known as the First International, was born. This first international proletarian organisation paved the way for the growth of working class organisation and spread of Marxism worldwide. Rob Sewell looks at the history of the First International, 150 years on.
Karl Marx: More right and more relevant than ever!
The Communist Manifesto opens with the lines, “A spectre is haunting Europe.” Over 160 years later it appears that the spectre of Marxism is as potent as ever, with supporters and detractors increasing daily. Why is it that an old German philosophy student, buried over 100 years ago in Highgate cemetery in London, excites such controversy?
Marx’s Capital: Chapters 16-22 – Wages
We continue our series looking at Marx’s Capital by discussing chapters 16-22, in which Marx delves further into the question of surplus-value and looks also at the issue of wages. The conclusion is clear: within the capitalist system – a system of wage labour and capital – the benefits of scientific, technological, and industrial progress will always overwhelmingly flow towards the capitalists.
What is Stalinism?
The events of the Russian Revolution1917 are the greatest in all of human history. For the first time in history, the exploited masses fought back and won. And yet within 10 years, the Soviet Union had degenerated into a bureaucratic and totalitarian regime, with Stalin at its head. How did this process occur? And what is Stalinism?