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This provocative book addresses the ideological and political
crisis of the Western left, comparing it with the problems facing
leftist politics in Russia and other countries. The author presents
a radical critique of the current state of the Western left which
puts discourse above class interest and politics of diversity above
politics of social change. The trajectory away from class politics
towards feminism, minority rights and the coalition of coalitions
led to the destruction of the basic strategic pillars of the
movement. Some elements of this broad progressive agenda became
mainstream, but in fact this made the crisis of the left even
deeper and contributed to the disintegration of the left's
identity. The author demonstrates that a simple return to 'the good
old times' of classical socialist politics of the industrial age is
not possible, suggesting that class politics must be redefined and
reinvented through the experience of new radical populism. This
book speaks directly to the way the identity politics/class
politics divide has been framed within the English-speaking world.
It will be of great interest to scholars and students of political
science and political sociology, international relations, security
studies and global studies, as well as socialist activists.
This provocative book addresses the ideological and political
crisis of the Western left, comparing it with the problems facing
leftist politics in Russia and other countries. The author presents
a radical critique of the current state of the Western left which
puts discourse above class interest and politics of diversity above
politics of social change. The trajectory away from class politics
towards feminism, minority rights and the coalition of coalitions
led to the destruction of the basic strategic pillars of the
movement. Some elements of this broad progressive agenda became
mainstream, but in fact this made the crisis of the left even
deeper and contributed to the disintegration of the left's
identity. The author demonstrates that a simple return to 'the good
old times' of classical socialist politics of the industrial age is
not possible, suggesting that class politics must be redefined and
reinvented through the experience of new radical populism. This
book speaks directly to the way the identity politics/class
politics divide has been framed within the English-speaking world.
It will be of great interest to scholars and students of political
science and political sociology, international relations, security
studies and global studies, as well as socialist activists.
Translated from the original Russian, this book analyzes the
economic development of leading European empires and the United
States of America. The author exposes the myths of the spontaneous
emergence of the market economy and the role of government as a
disincentive towards private initiative, when for centuries the
state power has been carrying out a "coercing to the market" with
all its strength. This book presents a somewhat epic depiction of
the development of Western hegemonic powers within the capitalist
world system, from the struggles of the late Middle Ages to the
rise and crisis of the American Empire. It both develops and
questions some of the traditional assumptions of the world-system
theory, arguing that it was very much the political form of the
state that shaped capitalism as we know it and that, though the
existence of a hegemonic power results from the logic of the
system, hegemony is often missing in reality. A major work of
historical Marxist theory, this book is essential reading for
students of international political economy, globalisation and the
crisis of capitalism. This book is also ideal for students of
politics, history, economics and international relations.
Translated from the original Russian, this book analyzes the
economic development of leading European empires and the United
States of America. The author exposes the myths of the spontaneous
emergence of the market economy and the role of government as a
disincentive towards private initiative, when for centuries the
state power has been carrying out a "coercing to the market" with
all its strength. This book presents a somewhat epic depiction of
the development of Western hegemonic powers within the capitalist
world system, from the struggles of the late Middle Ages to the
rise and crisis of the American Empire. It both develops and
questions some of the traditional assumptions of the world-system
theory, arguing that it was very much the political form of the
state that shaped capitalism as we know it and that, though the
existence of a hegemonic power results from the logic of the
system, hegemony is often missing in reality. A major work of
historical Marxist theory, this book is essential reading for
students of international political economy, globalisation and the
crisis of capitalism. This book is also ideal for students of
politics, history, economics and international relations.
How would Marx have understood twenty-first-century capitalism? For
Buzgalin and Kolganov, the answer lies in a theoretical
investigation of how and why the fundamental elements of
capitalism- commodities, money and capital - have changed since the
publication of Marx's Capital more than 150 years ago. Introducing
the concepts of social creativity, markets for simulacra and
virtual fictitious capital - Buzgalin and Kolganov offer a recovery
and development of Marx's understanding of social transformations.
Twenty-first century capitalism not only demonstrates Marxism's
relevance to the core economic questions of our time and its
superiority over neoclassical economics, but it leads
English-language readers into the 'undiscovered country' of Soviet
and post-Soviet critical Marxism. How might modern Marxism respond
to the contemporary challenges of the commodification of knowledge
and information? And can it arrive at something resembling a
Capital for the twenty-first century? This accessible and
comprehensive account is essential reading for those wanting to
understand the problems of the modern economy. -- .
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A History of Vodka (Paperback)
William Pokhlebkin; Translated by Renfrey Clarke
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R699
R618
Discovery Miles 6 180
Save R81 (12%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Savoured by peasants and Tsars, condemned by clerics and the
architects of perestroika - vodka has been the joy and the scourge
of the Russian nation for centuries. But what are the origins of
the Russians' favourite drink? Did vodka emerge as an authentic
national discovery from the brewing-shops or the monasteries of
medieval Russia, or was the secret of its preparation imported from
elsewhere? When was it that people first experienced vodka's now
famed property of 'knocking drinkers off their feet'? With
formidable scholarship and considerable dry wit, William
Pokhlebkin, one of Russia's best-known historians sets out on the
detective trail. His aim: to reveal the strange truth about his
country's most famous tipple. The result is a triumph of historical
deduction. As he uncovers the social, economic and technological
background to the emergence of vodka, and indeed tells us how and
with what the spirit should be drunk, the author creates an
unconventional but true-to-life portrait of the society and social
psychology that gave birth to today's Russia. He argues that those
who have controlled the vodka stills have controlled the destiny of
Russia - first the Boyars, then the Tsars, and in this century the
Bolsheviks. In Pokhlebkin's view Gorbachev unwisely attempted to
suppress vodka, allowing the Mafia to seize control of its
production and distribution. Perestroika was thus doomed.
Pokhlebkin believes that both prohibitionism and drunkenness are
scourges which encourage one another. He insists that vodka itself
doesn't make people drunk, only irresponsible and uncultured ways
of consuming it. A History of Vodka is the work not only of a fine
scholar but of a passionate advocate ofthe virtues of vodka and a
stern critic of those who have misused it.
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