On The Defense Of G.A.cohen For Marx’s Historical Materialism

Cohen was one of the founders and the main representative of Analytic Marxism. His masterpiece "Karl Marx’s Theory of History: A Defense" is a sign of the birth of Analytic Marxism. This book promotes the growth and development of Analytic Marxism, making Marxism occupies a place in the Anglo-American social science.This paper mainly on Cohen’s Theory. The first part of this article, the author first dicussed the significance of this paper.Then, elaborate the current research of Cohen’s theory. At least, explained the innovation and inadequate of this paper. The second part of this article, the author discussed the Cohen’s theory from the times and theoretical background. The background which Cohen lived played a crucial role when he established his theory, and the theoretical background which in his after studying process has a profound impact on his future theoretical research by methodological level. The third part of this article, the author describes the main theoretical content and methodology of Cohen’s theory. Cohen first analyze and define the relationship which is the basic relationship between two groups of Marx’s Theory of History. Cohen solve the "crisis of legitimacy" by exploring issues of power and rights. At least, Cohen restore the authority of historical materialism base on “The Development Thesis”, “The Primacy Thesis Proper” and function explanation.The fourth part of this article, author study and analysis Cohen’s theoretical work, and discussed the problems which appeared in Cohen’s theory construction. After all, author evaluated the Cohen’s theoretical work from rationality, limitations and enlightenment.