The Theory of Marxism: Questions and Answers

Vladislav Sofronov questioned a number of prominent Marxist scholars on the challenges to contemporary Marxism posed by volatile post-Soviet conditions. He seeks a way forward: away from neoliberalism, and toward a leftist consciousness that can be articulated across borders. This article publishes the responses of Fredric Jameson (during a one-on-one conversation that took place in Moscow) and of Jack Amariglio and Yahya M. Madra (on a separate occasion, via email). Jameson's answers reflect his attitude toward contemporary Marxism: its dialectic, the relationship between labor and the theoretical problems of the present. He outlines the challenges that affect Marxism, particularly the disparity between labor and technology and the pressure from postmodernity and culture. Amariglio and Madra stress the enduring significance of the Marxist dialectic, and give a descriptive analysis of the alternations between labor and capital.