M-TH: Analysing Rethinking Marxism

[Chris Burford]

Analysing Rethinking Marxism

I was unhappy to see a criticism by innuendo from Jerry,
of course of Louis Proyect, of LP's report of the 
Amherst conference.

There are times when it can be constructive not to name
the person when you are concentrating on criticising the
idea. I dislike Jerry's habit, of which I have been a 
victim too, of failing to name the individual when
he is making a criticism not for the purposes of 
avoiding a personal confrontation, but in order to 
highlight attention to a personal confrontation, by 
innuendo. If a criticism is to be made, it is better it
is made directly in a form that the person can take on 
board in principle. 

About Amherst it is clear even from this side of the Atlantic
this is an important theme. It is again a theme
about the relationship between theory and practice, and 
the relationship between marxism in the academic world and 
marxism in political struggle.

Like a number of others I found Louis Proyect's report
readable, lively, and extremely interesting, but clearly
a partisan report of something of a political intervention.

These lists will have contact and overlap with people interested
in the Rethinking Marxism constellation. Rick Wolf (sp?) 
participated energetically for a few weeks two years ago.

Clearly the Rethinking Marxism movement is a contradiction, with
positive aspects and negative aspects (to be banal). But what
the informed estimate of that balance actually is, I would like
to hear other views on.

One problem seems to me fundamental not just to Althusserianism
but to Marxism as a whole: if everything is multiply-(over)-determined
the devil always lies in the detail. A non-dogmatic and intelligent
application of marxism to the present world, is endlessly complex.
How then do serious marxists employed in the academic world avoid
merely indulging in the academic pursuit of the detail and the nuances,
without engaging in relevant political positions.

I would like to hear other views about whether the Rethinking
Marxist movement, or certain sections of it, do in fact succeed in 
handling this contradiction more successfully.

Chris Burford





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