Pluto Press Open Marxism 4: Against a Closing World

The publication of the first three volumes of Open Marxism in the 1990s has had a transformative impact on how we think about Marxism in the twenty-first century. 'Open Marxism' aims to think of Marxism as a theory of struggle, not as an objective analysis of capitalist domination, arguing that money, capital and the state are forms of struggle from above and therefore open to resistance and rebellion. As critical thought is squeezed out of universities and geographical shifts shape the terrain of theoretical discussion, the editors argue now is the time for a new volume that reflects the work that has been carried out during the past decade. Emphasising the contemporary relevance of 'open Marxism' in our moment of political and economic uncertainty, the collection shines a light on its significance for activists and academics today. Review ""'The decline of traditional Marxism and poststructuralism has cleared the decks for the re-emergence of a critical and anti-authoritarian theory that challenges mechanical and non-dialectical thinking. This book makes a strong case for such a theory'"" - Marcel Stoetzler, author of 'Beginning Classical Social Theory' ""'This is an exciting collection and a very useful - one might say, long overdue - addition to critical conversation. The contributors present a theoretically sophisticated Marxism informed by resistance and rebellion'"" - Andrej Grubacic, co-author of 'Wobblies and Zapatistas: Conversations on Anarchism and Marxism' ""'Open Marxism helps us understand how we make and unmake the world - and how we might create other worlds. Today, when the fragility of the present state of things is more obvious than ever, this perspective is essential'"" - David Harvie, co-editor of 'Commoning with George Caffentzis and Silvia Federici' ""'Embracing multiple generations of critical theorists, this book explores the history and future of Open Marxist theory, and provides reflections on how the fight against the foreclosure of existence is playing out in contemporary struggles for survival, emancipation and reconnection'"" - Sarah Amsler, author of 'The Education of Radical Democracy' About the Author Ana Cecilia Dinerstein is Reader in Sociology at the University of Bath. Her publications include The Politics of Autonomy in Latin America: The Art of Organising Hope (Palgrave, 2015) and Social Sciences for An Other Politics. Women Theorising without Parachutes (Palgrave, 2016). Alfonso Garcia Vela is a researcher and professor in the Department of Postgraduate Studies in Sociology at the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Mexico. Edith Gonzalez is a Lecturer at the Universidad de Oriente, Puebla, Mexico. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Mexico. Her research addresses democracy, social movements and emancipation from a critical perspective. John Holloway is Professor of Sociology in the Instituto de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades of the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla in Mexico. He is the author of Crack Capitalism (Pluto, 2010), Change the World Without Taking Power (Pluto, 2019) and Negativity and Revolution (Pluto, 2008).