In his book, "Post-Marxist Theory, An Introduction", Philip Goldstein ambitiously evokes the criticisms of Marxist theory through a discussion of the post-marxist revolution in theory. This is accomplished through an examination of both Foucauldian and Althusserian views of societal constructs such as oppression and racism and their influence on later theory. In this book Goldstein introduces the philosophies of many important contemporary theorists who reacted against the pre-conceived Marxist notions of "class context and economic determination", influenced by the works of Foucault and Althusser. This approach delineates not only the complex philosophies of Marx, Foucault, and Althusser, but also that of the other theorists, each with a rather wide scope of interest. Nevertheless, the complexity of the subject matter does not detract from the methodical way in which Goldstein presents his argument. In the introduction, Goldstein outlines briefly the major tenants of Marxist theory and shows through the very salient example of author Zora Neale Hurston, some of the criticisms that befell this manner of analysis. Hurston, a celebrated author in her own right was forgotten, her works essentially condemned because of her focus on self-realization over the social realism that pervaded the fiction of her tumultuous time. The problems with Marxist theory were its totalitarian views, "to show that philosophy, theology, economics, and art do not have a history apart from that of their socioeconomic systems, rather the theoretical activity of the ruling class and its representatives brings these discourses together to form a unity" (Goldstein 9). In opposition to this Marxist view of society, Goldstein argues, theorists like Foucault and Althusser expounded upon the ideas of class structure to include the interplays of power and dominance in explanation of evident social oppression. These theories were readily adopted and further expounded upon in a variety of fields. Goldstein divides his book into these fields, by introducing the works of the most influential authors, and showing how their own works exist as post-marxist theory, influenced by the Foucauldian and Althusserian revolutions against Marx.
The success of this book rests largely on the organization of the theorists, and the wide range of fields that Goldstein includes. The perspective that Goldstein provides as an introduction to the theorists shaped profoundly by Foucault and Althusser, serves quite well. He provides the reader with the precursors to these influential figures in their own right, and aids in elucidating some of their own philosophies by providing a very unique context for examination. Goldstein begins the book with Althusser, and provides a rather useful and unifying analysis of his Marxist criticisms. In this post-marxist vein, Althusser postulated that, " Economics, history, philosophy, mathematics, and other scientific disciplines and practices do not develop a general opposition of ideology and science...they establish their own inward criteria of validity and produce their own legitimate objects and discourses"( Goldstein 3). This not only introduces the many fields these post-modern theories influenced, but also provides a necessary summarization of Althusser's philosophies. This follows with a thorough discussion of Foucault and the idea of discourse in historical development, that discourse does not allow one to discover some underlying precursor, but that the discourse actually constitutes it. These two parental theories then lend themselves to reinvention through the political philosophies of Laclau and Mouffe which state that, "the ideological apparatures of the state construct a subject and thereby reproduce themselves, rather than the belief that predetermined historical stages explain social development"( Goldstein 9). This is followed by Butler and her Foucauldian theory of performative gender against the culturally established view of biologically determined gender. Macherey who was a contemporary of Althusser is presented in a scientific context and purports that, "theory is always situated in a practical context in which it reveals the antagonisms of and takes a position on the contrary views forming the context."(Goldstein 7). Finally, he introduces the cultural theories of Tony Bennett and John Frow which place literary history in the hands of the reader, and their own interpretations, "not the imitation of an independent reality, not an ideological form" (Goldstein 7). Each of these theories while not exhaustively represented, are presented in such a way as to appease a cursory interest in the subject. However, these theories are not introduced simply, and it would require some contextual knowledge of other theorists who are included in the discussion but whose individual philosophies are never actually shared. For example Goldstein's consistent references to Derrida and Hegel are only given in the context of their successors and, without some understanding of their literary tradition their presence has little meaning and could obfuscate the text for some.
Also, Goldstein's focus on the initial works of Foucault and Althusser, while necessary is a bit too pervasive when examining the other theories. While his approach to Butler or Macherey requires that he include context, the time that he spends introducing and reintroducing Foucault, or Althusser in his discussion of the more contemporary theorists among others does not isolate the significance of the theorist in question an often times portrays their works as revisions. Nevertheless, given the approach that Goldstein takes, the motivation to counter Marxist theory serves as a very successful means of understanding the essential tenants of the theorists he discusses. As this is an introduction to post-marxist theory the main points he emphasizes do successfully define the necessity for post Marxist theory, the first theorists and their importance, and finally how their works have influenced other significant theorists in a variety of disciplines. It is a very ambitious undertaking to introduce the complex works of all these theorists while assuming a commonality between their work, their influences, and ultimately their fields in relation to Marx. This text should be used to document Marx's legacy through the theories of several contemporary writers, but beyond that none of the contemporary theories are properly introduced in their own right. The focus he chose does little to introduce the theories when some of their most obtuse aspects are the ones he emphasizes, over others that might have elucidated the authors' works far more. However, Goldstein's main audience appears to be those interested in a particular aspect of these theories and thusly would find his emphasis on their Marxist and post-marxist influences intriguing. For this audience, this is a fairly comprehensive, well-organized, and nicely specified discussion of theory post-Marx and for this audience alone should it be recommended.