Reformism or Revolution : Marxism and Socialism of the Twenty-First Century: Reply to Heinz Dieterich

Contents: Acknowledgements. Author\'s preface. 1. Methodology. 2. Philosophy and science. 3. Dieterich and historical materialism. 4. History and economics. 5. Socialism Utopian and scientific. 6. An outline of Marxist economics. 7. The economics of Socialism of the 21 century. 8. Socialism or Stalinism? 9. The future of the Cuban Revolution. 10. Nationalism or Internationalism? 11. The state and revolution. 12. The Venezuelan Revolution. Bibliography. 

"The declarations of Hugo Chavez in favour of socialism have provoked an important debate in Venezuela and internationally. This fact is of great importance. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the unprecedented ideological counteroffensive of the bourgeoisie against socialism, have led some to conclude that the "old" ideas of Marxism are no longer valid and that it is necessary to invent a completely new and original theory of Socialism of the 21 Century. This is what Heinz Dieterich claims to have done.

The main objective of this book is to explain the absolute relevance and validity of revolutionary Marxism. In this respect, Alan Woods writes the following in his introduction: "I write as a lifelong defender of Marxism... For almost 50 years I have made a careful study not only of all the works of the great Marxist writers of the past but also many of other critics... I have yet to find any body of ideas that come remotely close to displacing Marxism as a scientific tool for understanding the world in which we live.

Reformism or Revolution deals with practically every aspect of Marxism. It is a reaffirmation of the fundamental ideas of scientific socialism and a timely refutation of the current attempts by the revisionists to "improve" it by turning it into its opposite. Together with Reason in Revolt, it is compulsory reading for all those who wish to understand Marxism and its relevance to today\'s world." (jacket)