The declarations of Hugo Chavez in favour of socialism have provoked an important debate in Venezuela and internationally. However some have concluded that the 'old' ideas of Marxism are no longer valid and that it is necessary to invent a completely new and original theory of Socialism of the 21st century. This book is a reply to that view - expressed by Heinz Dieterich amongst others - and a defence of the fundamental ideas of Marxism and scientific socialism against these revisionist arguements. Contents include: Philosophy and science Dieterich and historical materialism History and economics Outline of Marxist economics The economics of Socialism of the 21st century Socialism or Stalinism? The future of the Cuban revolution The Venezuelan revolution and more..... Together with Reason In Revolt (also available from Wellred) this book is essential reading for all those who wish to understand Marxism and its relevance to today's world.
Author
Alan Woods (born 1944, Swansea, Wales) is a Trotskyist political theorist. He is one of the leading members of the British group Socialist Appeal as well as its parent group, the International Marxist Tendency (IMT). He is political editor of the IMT's In Defence of Marxism website. Woods supported the Militant tendency within the UK Labour Party until the early 1990s, when he and Ted Grant were expelled from the tendency and founded the Committee for a Marxist International (soon renamed International Marxist Tendency) in 1992. They continued with the policy of entryism into the Labour Party. Woods has been particularly vocal in his support for the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, and has repeatedly met with the socialist Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, leading to speculation he was a close political adviser.
