A Marxist Theory Of Ideology Praxis, Thought And The Social World Routledge Studies In Social And Political Thought

This work explores the question of defining ideology from a Marxist perspective. Advancing beyond the schemas of discussion presented in current Marxist literature, the author offers an account of how the concept of ideology should be defined and what role it plays within historical materialism. Through a close reading of Karl Marxâs relevant writings, this volume demonstrates that while there is no coherent, single account of ideology in Marxâs work, his materialist framework can be reconstructed in a defensible and ânon-deterministicâ way. The definition of ideology presented is then articulated through a close reading of Antonio Gramsciâs Prison Notebooks. Efforts are also made to demonstrate that Gramsciâs interpretation of historical materialism is indeed consistent and compatible with Marxâs. A systematic articulation of a theory of ideology that combines the works of Marx and Gramsci, as well as adding elements of Pierre Bourdieuâs social theory and William Jamesâs psychology, this volume will appeal to scholars of social and political theory with interests in political economy and Marxist thought.