This work investigates the evolution, internal contradictions, and practical applications of Marxist theory throughout the tumultuous political landscape of the twentieth century. Roger Garaudy, a prominent French philosopher and former member of the French Communist Party, utilizes his deep immersion in dialectical materialism to critique how Marxist thought was interpreted and implemented by various global regimes. He argues for a humanistic re-evaluation of Marx's original intent, contrasting it against the rigid dogmatism that characterized much of the mid-century Soviet-aligned political discourse.

This text serves as a significant primary document reflecting the intellectual climate of European Marxist discourse during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The analysis provides a dense, specialized perspective on the ideological shifts within the international communist movement as viewed by a high-profile contemporary theorist.