I've almost finished my tour through theoretical Marxism - courtesy of Leszek Kolakowski's "Main Currents of Marxism". I remember this book being the standard text for Marxist philosophy when I was at university, but I never read much of it at the time (so much beer...so little time).

Anyway, it's been a fascinating tour. I've re-learned much about Marx and Gramsci. The section on Lukacs which I've just finished has also been enlightening. Lukacs' reaffirmation of the philosophic aspects of Marx' thought make a refreshing change from the Engelsian scientistic blunderings of the Second International. Kolakowski also does a good job of contextualising Lenin, and drawing out howw Marx does (and does not) underpin Lenin's thought and practice.

In general I find Kolakowski quite critical and dismissive - but I respect the opinion of someone who lived through the Stalinist era. In short, he should know (at least better than I). He is more even-handed to Marx himself in many ways, perhaps more so than might be expected.

And the outcome? I find myself drawn more to Lukacs than I was as a student. That's at least in part because I understand it better now than I did then. Looking now to move from the philosophy to the economics. That will be a challenge too.

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Peter Harrison
www.4harrisons.blogspot.com