8/28/10

9/1 - Fundamentals of Marxism Study Series #4: The Politics of Social Classes

This week is discussion #4 in our Fundamentals of Marxism Summer Study Series 
The Politics of Social Classes

The Class Struggles in France was Marx’s first attempt to explain a piece of contemporary history -- the 1848 French Revolution -- by means of his materialist conception, on the basis of the prevailing economic situation.  He continues to analyze France in The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, a pamphlet looking at historical events leading up to Louis Bonaparte's coup d'état of December 2, 1851—from the viewpoint of his materialist conception of history. Together with Marx's contemporary writings on English politics, the Eighteenth Brumaire is the principal source for our understanding of Marx's theory of the capitalist state.

Recommended prerequisites:
Main Reading:
If you prefer to buy the books: The Class Struggles in France


We'll continue the politics of social classes in 2 weeks with a discussion on  The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte,