Structuralist Marxism: Louis Althusser's Contribution
The question asks to identify the theorist associated with a structuralist version of Marxism, prominent in the 1970s.
Louis Althusser, a French Marxist philosopher, developed a significant structuralist interpretation of Marxism. He focused on the underlying structures of society and ideology rather than solely on economic determinism or human agency.
- Althusser's Key Ideas: His work emphasized concepts like ideology, the State's Ideological Apparatuses (SIAs), and interpellation, arguing that social structures, particularly ideology, shape individuals. He sought to establish Marxism as a science by analyzing its structure.
- Relevance to the 1970s: Althusser's theories were highly influential among intellectuals and activists during the 1970s, impacting literary theory, cultural studies, and political thought.
The other options are associated with different theoretical frameworks:
- J. Derrida: Known for deconstruction, a post-structuralist approach.
- J. Habermas: Associated with Critical Theory and the theory of communicative action.
- A. Giddens: Developed structuration theory, which integrates structure and agency but is distinct from Althusser's structuralist Marxism.
Therefore, Louis Althusser is the correct answer for a structuralist version of Marxism.
Important Questions from Marxism - Teaching
Who based his ideas on how to change the world on the scientific analysis of society through history?
In context of Marxism philosophy, which of the following is correct?
I. There cannot be a peaceful transformation from capitalism to socialism.
ll. The working class will seize state power by revolution.
Which of the following are features of Marx’s theory of surplus value ?
(a) It is an extension of Ricardo’s theory.
(b) Labour power equals the brain, muscle and nerve of the labourer.
(c) The value of every commodity is not proportional to the quantity or labour contained in it.
(d) The worker must be paid a price proportional to the number of Labour hours that entered into its production.
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
Which of the following are Lenin’s contribution to Marxist theory ?
(a) His theory of the party as ‘the vanguard of the proletariat’ which guides the masses both before and after the revolution.
(b) His theory or capitalist imperialism, which he held to constitute the intermediary stage of capitalism.
(c) His version for the reconstruction of the world’s first proletarian state.
(d) His theory of the strategy and tactics of revolution.
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
- Who distinguished the Young Marx from the Old Marx ?
