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  • © 2021

Rethinking Development

Marxist Perspectives

Palgrave Macmillan

Authors:

  • A unique overview of Marxism’s diverse engagements with development
  • Accessible, non-dogmatic overview of Marxist thought on development, including examinations of Marx, Lenin, Luxemburg, and beyond
  • Engages with Latin America and the Global South in its examination of development and under-development

Part of the book series: Marx, Engels, and Marxisms (MAENMA)

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiv
  2. Definitions and Dilemmas

    • Ronaldo Munck
    Pages 1-20
  3. Classics

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21
    2. Marxism and Capitalism

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 23-41
    3. Marx and Underdevelopment

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 43-62
    4. Lenin and Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 63-82
    5. Lenin and Imperialism

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 83-102
    6. Luxemburg and Global Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 103-122
  4. Contemporary

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 123-123
    2. Dependent Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 125-145
    3. Post-Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 147-167
    4. Indigenous Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 169-188
    5. Globalisation and Development

      • Ronaldo Munck
      Pages 189-208
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 209-213

About this book

Development and underdevelopment are the main determinants of life-chances worldwide, arguably more so than social class. Marxism, as the underlying theory for social revolution, needs to have a clear understanding of the dynamics of development and social progress. Exploring the intersection of Marxism and development, this book looks at Marx’s original conception of capitalist development and his later engagement with under-developed Russia. The author also reviews Lenin’s early critique of the Russian populists' rejection of capitalism compared with his later analysis of imperialism as a brake on development in the non-European world. The book then considers Rosa Luxemburg, who arguably provides a bridge between these theorists and those that follow with her analysis of imperialism as a necessity for capitalism to incorporate non-capitalist lands. Turning then to the non-European world, the author examines the Latin American dependency theories, the post-development school and the recent indigenous development theories advanced by Andean Marxism. Finally, Munck addresses the relationship between globalization and development. Does this relationship suggest that it has not been capitalism but a lack of capitalism that has led to under-development?

Reviews

“Rethinking Development: Marxist Perspectives is certainly a must-read for someone who seeks to understand the complex intertwining of Marxism with the development discourse and explore unorthodox and non-Eurocentric approaches. Furthermore, this book directly engages with political practice, suggesting that Marxism should intermingle with concepts from the Global South to face neoliberalism from a global perspective and avoid determinism and Eurocentrism.” (Andrea Taborri, Capital & Class, Vol. 47 (2), June, 2023) “This book pairs a journey through Marxist perspectives on growth and development with international development questions. It does so with historical depth and finesse, wide engagement and crystal clear language. A formidable work that offers many fresh insights.”
— Jan Nederveen Pieterse, Global Studies, University of California Santa Barbara, US

 

“Ronaldo Munck’s critical reassessment of Marxist thought has important and timely relevance to contemporary material relations and epistemic realities. He juggles Marxism’s protean strands adeptly, summarizing principal thinkers and debates in the context of geo-political-economic relations across time and space. His ultimate methodological goal of divining the current capitalist order is especially significant for incorporating non-European thought, thereby complicating how such a world order can be analysed and progressively transformed.”

— Philip McMichael, Professorof Global Development, Cornell University, US


“With admirable command over a vast terrain of development and Marxist theories, Munck offers a reinterpretation of both and illuminates contemporary debates in development in a new light. The book presents refreshing, new perspectives on established paradigms, bringing them into productive conversation with recent bodies of literature, such as postcolonial theory. Written with exceptional clarity and sophistication, this book will be of interest to experts and students alike.”

— Nandini Gooptu, Professor of South Asian Studies, Oxford Department of International Development, Oxford University, UK










Authors and Affiliations

  • Centre for Engaged Research, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Ronaldo Munck

About the author

Ronaldo Munck is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Engaged Research at Dublin City University and holds visiting posts in Argentina, Ecuador, Canada and Germany.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access