'Eurocentrism' is a classic of radical thought by one of the world's foremost political economists. His new introduction and concluding chapter make this provocative essay about one of the great 'ideological deformations' of our time even more compelling.
A political autobiography from one of the 20th Century's most prominent radical intellectuals that also serves as a primer on Samir Amin's influential theory and historical-political analysis. This memoir provides an insight into how radical movements have evolved in response to global capitalism since the 1940s.
A collection of Samir Amin’s ten most influential essays of the 21st century Radical political economist Samir Amin left behind a cherished oeuvre of Marxist writings. Amin’s intellectual range—from economics to culture—was admirable, and his lessons remain essential. Monthly Review Press is honored to publish this volume, culled from the Monthly Review magazine, of ten of Samir Amin’s most significant essays written in the twenty-first century. The collection is introduced by Amin’s friend and comrade, the Marxist philosopher Aijaz Ahmad, who provides a comprehensive survey of Amin’s life and path-breaking work. Ahmad also offers a contextual focus by which to read such stunningly astute pieces as “Revolution or Decadence?” and “Contemporary Imperialism.” Only People Make Their Own History is a loving and enlightening look at what the work of Samir Amin has meant—and will mean— to millions of people the world over.
Focusing on the impact of significant revolutions, the essays explore how the French, Russian, and Chinese revolutions shaped modern politics and social movements. They argue that these transformative events are essential for understanding contemporary struggles and aspirations. Samir Amin emphasizes the need to recognize both the ambitions and setbacks of these revolutions, challenging conservative narratives that dismiss them as mere accidents. This collection reflects on the centennial of the Russian Revolution, offering insights into its lasting significance and the ongoing quest for social justice.
Focusing on the historical trajectory of capitalism, Samir Amin explores the persistent global polarization that hinders the peripheries from catching up with dominant centers. He argues that the decline of capitalism is intertwined with the efforts of Southern peoples to forge a new world, potentially moving towards socialism. Amin highlights the major conflicts of the 20th century and the new challenges faced in the 21st century, employing historical materialism as a framework to support activists fighting for socialism and the emancipation of Asian, African, and Latin American communities.
The central concept of the book is that theory must be grounded in the historical analysis of capitalism, challenging abstract bourgeois thinking that detaches economics from reality. The author explores the globalization of the law of value, examining the connections between capital and land ownership, modernity and religious interpretations, and the global expansion of capitalism, particularly in Russia and China. This anthology builds on previous work that emphasizes capitalism's imperialist nature, providing a nuanced understanding of its evolution in different contexts.
The book explores the global impact of the American model, analyzing how its economic and political systems are being adopted worldwide. It delves into the resulting consequences, providing insights into the challenges and changes that arise from this imposition. Through a critical lens, it highlights the implications for various nations and cultures as they navigate the influence of American ideologies.
According to renowned Marxist economist Samir Amin, the recent Arab Spring uprisings comprise an integral part of a massive second awakening of the Global South. From the self-immolation in December 2010 of a Tunisian street vendor, to the consequent outcries in Cairo's Tahrir Square
In this slim, insightful volume, noted economist Samir Amin returns to the core of Marxian economic thought: Marx’s theory of value. He begins with the same question that Marx, along with the classical economists, once pondered: how can every commodity, including labor power, sell at its value on the market and still produce a profit for owners of capital? While bourgeois economists attempted to answer this question according to the categories of capitalist society itself, Marx sought to peer through the surface phenomena of market transactions and develop his theory by examining the actual social relations they obscured. The debate over Marx’s conclusions continues to this day. Amin defends Marx’s theory of value against its critics and also tackles some of its trickier aspects. He examines the relationship between Marx’s abstract concepts—such as “socially necessary labor time”—and how they are manifested in the capitalist marketplace as prices, wages, rents, and so on. He also explains how variations in price are affected by the development of “monopoly- capitalism,” the abandonment of the gold standard, and the deepening of capitalism as a global system. Amin extends Marx’s theory and applies it to capitalism’s current trajectory in a way that is unencumbered by the weight of orthodoxy and unafraid of its own radical conclusions.
The law of worldwide value -- Further comments on Marx's Capital and historical capitalism -- Essays on Marx's value theory -- Index