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Reply to Four Critics

1983; De Gruyter; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1515/auk-1983-0203

2365-9858

G. A. Cohen,

Marxism and Critical Theory

Abstract This article is a response to criticisms of my book on Karl Marx’s Theory of History which were made by four authors in last December’s number of Analyse & Kritik. After clarifying (section 2) an ambiguity in an argument for historical materialism which is presented in the book , I contend (3-5), against objections raised by Philippe Van Parijs , that historical materialism is consistent only if it explains production relations functionally, by reference to their propensity to develop the productive forces. Next (6-8) I address and rebut the views of Wal Suchting and Milton Fisk , who both think that the role of class struggle in historical materialism is larger than the one I assign to it. Finally (9-12) I try to vindicate the doctrine of base and superstructure proposed in my book against the skepticism of Steven Lukes.