This book investigates the inherent tension between the foundational Marxist rejection of traditional philosophy and the subsequent reliance on philosophical reasoning within various Marxist traditions. Alex Callinicos, a prominent political theorist and academic, examines how Marxist thinkers have navigated this contradiction throughout the twentieth century. He argues that the shift toward philosophical abstraction in Western Marxism often distanced the movement from empirical research and direct political engagement.

Scholars and students of political theory frequently cite this work as a clear, concise overview of the complex relationship between Marxist theory and philosophical inquiry. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a foundational knowledge of 20th-century European intellectual history.