This book investigates the inherent tension between the Marxist tradition's explicit rejection of moral discourse and its implicit reliance on moral outrage to drive political action. Steven Lukes, a prominent political theorist, examines the writings of Marx, Engels, and subsequent Marxist thinkers to identify where the ideology addresses moral concerns and where it remains conspicuously silent. He argues that despite the movement's historical skepticism toward morality, its enduring appeal is fundamentally rooted in moral claims regarding justice and human flourishing.

Scholars and political theorists frequently cite this text as a nuanced examination of the intersection between political ideology and ethical theory. Readers often note that the prose is accessible to those familiar with political philosophy while maintaining the analytical rigor expected in academic discourse.