Critical Realism and Marxism

Critical Realism is gaining ground in the social sciences and humanities, and critical realist orientated scholars can be found in economics, gender studies geography, history, law, organisation management studies, social theory and philosophy. Marxism refuses to go away, and remains one of the key intellectual perspectives- a point even conceded by its opponents. Moreover many of those caught in the recent upsurge of ‘anti-capitalist’ sentiment are finding valuable lessons available from a body of thought that has been staunchly ‘anti-capitalist’ for 150 years. Critical Realism and Marxism is the first book to address the controversial debate between critical realism and Marxism, and it does so from a wide range of disciplines. The authors argue that whilst one book cannot answer all the questions about the relationship between critical realism and Marxism, this book does provide some significant answers. In doing so, Critical Realism and Marxism reveals a potentially fruitful relationship, deepens our understanding of the social world and thereby makes an important contribution towards eliminating the barbarism that accompanies contemporary capitalism. Christopher Arthur former lecturer in philosophy at the University of Sussex Andrew Brown University of Leeds Noel Castree Manchester University Andrew Collier Southampton