This volume investigates the theoretical viability of Marxism when stripped of its traditional Hegelian conceptual framework. The editor, Alex Callinicos, compiles a series of essays by prominent analytical Marxists to explore how Marxist theory functions when subjected to the rigorous standards of positivist philosophy and analytical methodology. By examining the work of scholars such as G. A. Cohen and Jon Elster, the text evaluates the internal consistency and explanatory power of historical materialism within a modern analytical context.

Experts identify this collection as a significant resource for understanding the shift toward analytical methods in late 20th-century political theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of both Marxist history and analytical philosophy to fully grasp the arguments presented.