The "Structuralist" Interrogation of Marx

Abstract

<p>This study was an attempt to outline and assess the "structuralist" reading of Marx with respect to the principles of Marx's method of class analysis. The work of Louis Althusser was my major point of reference although the works of Etienne Baalibar, Maurice Godelier and Nicos Poulatzas were also consulted.</p> <p>It is argues that Marx's method can be broken down into four major principles; (1) a principle of materialism; (2) a principle of complexity; (3) a principle of structural causality; (4) and finally a principle of objectivity. Althusser's marxism is employed as a theoretical framework for outlining these principles. At the same time I attempt to assess Althusser's reading of Marx.</p> <p>My overall judgement of Althusser is positive although a number of critical points of weakness are discussed. It is argues that Althusser's marxism creates for the possibility of a truly "open" marxism - a marxism committed to knowing something and not unthinkingly applying Marx's utterances in a non-critical manner.</p>