Reply to Four Critics

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.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Reply to Four Critics ; volume:5 ; number:2 ; year:1983 ; pages:195-222 ; extent:28 ; Analyse & Kritik ; 5, Heft 2 (1983), 195-222 (gesamt 28)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Cohen, Gerald A.

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/auk-1983-0203
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2404171546500.988508948888
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:02 AM CEST