Louis Althusser and the Traditions of French Marxism
Encyclopedia
Louis Althusser and the Traditions of French Marxism is a 2005 book by William S. Lewis. Lewis examines the "Structural Marxism
" of Louis Althusser
, which was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. His approach places Althusser's thought within the context of the history of the French Communist Party
and the history of French intellectual Marxism. The role and place of political theory is a central concern of Lewis' interpretation of Althusser. Lewis argues that the Stalinist and humanist interpretations of Marx were not only theoretically untenable, but had harmful practical consequences for the French Communist Party.
Structural Marxism
Structural Marxism was an approach to Marxist philosophy based on structuralism, primarily associated with the work of the French philosopher Louis Althusser and his students. It was influential in France during the 1960s and 1970s, and also came to influence philosophers, political theorists and...
" of Louis Althusser
Louis Althusser
Louis Pierre Althusser was a French Marxist philosopher. He was born in Algeria and studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he eventually became Professor of Philosophy....
, which was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. His approach places Althusser's thought within the context of the history of the French Communist Party
French Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
and the history of French intellectual Marxism. The role and place of political theory is a central concern of Lewis' interpretation of Althusser. Lewis argues that the Stalinist and humanist interpretations of Marx were not only theoretically untenable, but had harmful practical consequences for the French Communist Party.