This translation of Max Adler 's Die Staatsauffassung des Marxismus introduces English readers to an important and distinctive perspective on Marx 's theory of the state, formed through Adler 's experience of the tumultuous interwar period.
Adler 's central target of critique is the notion of the law as the neutral arbiter of democratic society -- a notion which, Adler contends, collapses in the face of an adequate understanding of the ruling class in capitalist society. Beyond providing an important historical survey of arguments over the nature of law and democracy that were conducted between the two World Wars, The Marxist Conception of the State offers contemporary readers a primer for comprehending any truly democratic future state might entail.
Publication date: September 15, 2020
Preface
Foreword
A Scholarly Motto that Contributes to the Present Marxist Critique
Politics and Sociology
The Sociological Unity of State and Society
The Development of the Concept of Society
The Further Development of the Concept of Society by Marx
The Formal Logic of Law in Kelsen
The Essential in Marx 's Concept of the State
What Is Class?
Class and Party
Political and Social Democracy
Democracy and Freedom
Revolution or Evolution?
Democracy and Its Organisation
Dictatorship
Government and Administration
Excursus on Anarchism
The 'Marvel ' of Stateless Organisation
Utopianism in Marx and Engels
Why We Are Not Understood!
Afterword
Bibiolography
Index
“We can take seriously Blum’s claim that reading Adler’s Marxism offers a chance to approach with critical eyes existing Marxist currents.”
—Joel Wendland-Liu, H-Net Reviews
