The Power of Ideology Revised and enlarged edition

Istvan Meszaros is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Sussex. His major works -- several of which have been translated into a number of other languages -- in political philosophy include: Marx's Theory of Alienation (Merlin Press, 1970, and Harper Torch, USA) The Work of Sartre: Search for Freedom (Harvest Press, 1979) Philosophy, Ideology and the Social Sciences: Essays in Negotaition and Affirmation (Harvester Press, 1986) The Power of Ideology (Wheatsheaf Publishers, Brighton and New York University Press, New York, 1989) Beyond Capital (Merlin Press, London and Monthly Review Press, New York, 1995). Born in Hungary in 1930, Istvan Meszaros became a student of George Lukacs and in late 1956 his chosen intellectual successor. As early as 1949 he had been threatened with expulsion from college for his public defence of Lukacs who was under attack by the Hungarian Communist Party at the time. A lifelong socialist and Marxist, Meszaros argued from a very early age in favour a genuine socialist transformation of society and against Soviet-style bureaucratic dictatorship. Forced into exile when the USSR overthrew the Hungarian government in 1956, he taught at first at the University of Turin in Italy. In 1959, he moved to the UK where he held a succession of posts at Bedford College (University of London), the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and the University of Sussex (with a small break, 1972-77, as Professor of Philosophy at York University in Canada). 'His powerful prose, brilliant argument and caustic humour' (Canadian Dimension) has been described as 'passionately inspired by sympathy for the downtrodden and their struggle for liberation' (The Nation, USA) and 'without exaggeration, represents the most substantive and systematic analysis accomplished since Marx' (El Ojo del Huracan, Venezuela). The Power of Ideology

Istvan Meszaros provides here a lucid, polemical and systematic analysis of ideology on a scale not attempted since Lukacs' 'History and Class Consciousness'. Firmly based on the classical literature (reaching back to the eighteenth century), the discussions are brought fully up-to-date with the assessment of contemporary preoccupations on the subject. Part One shows the connection between the postwar decades of undisturbed economic expansion and the ideology of 'post-ideology', criticising the premature theorisation of the 'end of scarcity' and the fallacy of envisaging purely technological solutions to deep-seated social problems. Part Two explores the complex relationship between science, ideology and methodology, with particular reference to the practical determinations of each. Part Three takes a closer look at the important connection between ideology and emancipation, reasserting the validity of a critical and self-critical socialist theory as the necessary strategic framework of emancipation.

'In these times of despondency?one feels the need for a reconsideration of the socialist project perceived at once in its historical perspective and its global context. Istvan Meszaros provides such a timely, fundamental reassessment in his major work, The Power of Ideology?a very rich volume? a magnum opus?Meszaros can write with wit and verve. He is devastating in polemics and brilliant in exposition. Here is a book showing that Marxism is alive and creative, one of those not very frequent works laying the foundations on which we can build our strategies and tactics. And coming at the right time when we badly need to go back to essentials.' - Daniel Singer, Monthly Review

'Meszaros provides us with a panoramic view of contemporary ideology and its objective roots, integrating a vast amount of material from philosophy, politics and economics?he points to the blinkers imposed on thought by a focus on advanced capitalism: things look different when the Third World is brought into the picture?Meszaros knows his Hegel, Marx, Lenin and Lukacs inside and out; only on this basis is his penetrating criticism offered; and it is to be taken all the more seriously?There is a lot of food for thought here.' - Chris Arthur, Critique

'..passionately inspired by sympathy for the downtrodden and their struggle for liberation?' - The Nation, USA


'Meszaros's work, without exaggeration, represents the most substantive and systematic analysis accomplished since Marx.' - El Ojo del Huracan, Venezuela

'Meszaros is surprisingly accessible despite the philosophical depth and intellectual richness of his work.' Canadian Dimension, Canada

Contents
Part 1: The Necessity of Ideology
1. Introductory
2. The Socio-economic Parameters
3. Politics and Ideology
Part 2: Science, Ideology and Methodology
4. Science as Legitimator of Ideological Interests
5. Science under the Shadow of the Military/Industrial Complex
6. Methodology and Ideology
Part 3: Ideology and Emancipation
7. Social Revolution and the Division of Labour
8. The Constitution of Solidarity
9. Ideology and Autonomy

Notes Bibliography Index 572 pp
Political Science