Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 13:07:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: M-TH: marxian, marxist


Chris M. Sciabarra wrote:

> I would probably describe myself
> as a scholar of Marx, but not a Marxian.  Somehow, that seems to suggest
> that I accept Marx's substantive categories... or that I adhere to his
> substantive theoretical project.  Truth is, I find lots of what he says
> compelling, and I am quite impressed by his methodology.  I think he has a
> lot of important and valid things to say as well -- but I don't buy into
> the labor theory of value, or the belief in a communist ideal, and I often
> criticize socialists on the basis of Austrian-Misesian-Hayekian
> calculation arguments... so how could I call myself a "Marxian"?

One can be a scholar of Marx without being a Marxian or a Marxist, to be
sure. Just as one can be a scholar of Ricardo (like Dobb) without being a
Ricardian or a scholar of Hegel without being a Hegelian. To be a Marxian,
I think, implies that one is operating _within_ an intellectual tradition
that can be traced back [in some fashion] to Marx. To be a Marxist implies
that one is operating within a tradition of theory _and praxis_ that can
be traced [in some connection] back to Marx's revolutionary theory and
politics.

Jerry



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