Cohen’s Analysis And Defense About Marx’s Historical Theory

Gerald Allan Cohen (1941-), is British political theorist, is founder of Analytical Marxism, and one of the important representatives. Many of his works, their theme is historical materialism. Karl Marx’s theory of history:A defense is, the most important works in all his life, it is founder’s book of Analytical Marxism. Its publishment promoted Marxism in western country, especially is in English country, it turn the English world to view of Marxism, restored the reputation of the Marxism, and got the respect of the British and American mainstream, expanded influence of Marxism in the western academic. Early Cohen’s research object is mainly Marx’s theory of history, he used the method of analytic philosophy, finely description and analysis about some basic concepts and principles of Marxism, and to defend, in a sense, deepen Marx’s research. Karl Marx’s theory of history: A defense is Clarification and reasoning of some basic concepts of the productive forces of, and production relations of, the mode of production of, economic foundation of, the superstructure of, social form of historical materialism, largely corrected in the past, people of historical materialism fuzzy understanding, improve the scientific nature of historical materialism. In this works, Cohen, about argument of Materialism "two proposition""function explain", one realized profoundly some of the characteristics of Analysis of Marxism, it is clear of Concept, the argument closely. He also puts forward a new claim, as "including all the historical materialism" and "limited historical materialism". This is the development of the basic principle of historical materialism. Thus, Cohen and other Analytical Marxists study the basic principles of Marx, according to the reality, with the development of the basic principles of historical materialism. The author thinks that Cohen studied Marxism classical works, he has unique found Marxism classical works. And to the Marxism theory, put forward the new interpretation that has the important significance, and for those who question of historical materialism of Marx is the basic principle, and gives the response effectively. Cohen will own starting point on the big issues and academic front, this kind of the Marxism combined with the reality, in practice, promote the development of Marxism academic spirit is worth us studying.