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The Point is to Change it: An Introduction to Marxist Philosophy
Marx's ideas are once again vital, in a world wracked by economic crisis and the gap between rich and poor greater than ever. This book, aimed primarily at the activist, explains Marx's ideas in as clear and simple language as possible, using contemporary examples to illustrate concepts and arguments.
218 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
John Molyneux
29 books8 followersMolyneux joined the International Socialists in Britain in 1968 after being radicalized by the antiwar movement and the revolt of that year. He became one of the Socialist Worker's Party's leading theorists and a popular speaker. He was a lecturer at the School of Art, Design, and Media, University of Portsmouth, from 1992.
During his years in Portsmouth, he was a significant influence in the city left as well as a lecturer at the polytechnic university there. He organized a number of demonstrations, including getting 12 coaches of people to the 2003 demonstration against the Iraq War, in London. In January 2009 he was arrested for organizing a peace rally of 400 people against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
His book Marxism and the Party (1978), analyzes the revolutionary left approach to the political party and the question of the revolutionary organization. and the discussion of Marx, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotsky, and Gramsci. In 1981 he published Leon Trotsky’s Theory of Revolution (1981), which critically explored Trotsky’s weaknesses and strengths. What is the Real Marxist Tradition? (1983/85) started life as a long article and was later published as a short book and is perhaps his most widely read publication.
He wrote a weekly column, “The ABCs of Marxism,” published in Socialist Worker (UK) for almost 15 years some of which were collected into a book Arguments for Revolutionary Socialism (1987) and a pamphlet on The Future Socialist Society (1987).
After he moved to Ireland he edited the Irish Marxist Review and contributed to many issues.
In 2006, he set up a blog where he "writes mainly about Marxist theory and art". He remained fascinated by this issue. His book The Point Is to Change It! was included in a display at the Tate Liverpool's exhibition Art turning Left (2013) showing the role that art plays in changing society.
In October 2020, he hosted the podcast Introduction to Marx/Marxism, which was described as "a series of short introductions to the ideas of Marx/Marxism".
In his last years, Molyneux also became involved in building an eco-socialist response to the climate crisis. He was one of the founders of the Global Ecosocialist Network.
He once wrote an article in the SWP's Internal Bulletin called "Democracy in the SWP", which argued that, though the SWP is democratic, it needs to be more so, prompting the Weekly Worker, the organ of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Provisional Central Committee) to call him a "loyal rebel". Molyneux remained a member of the loyal opposition in the SWP staying with the organization in 2012-13 when the SWP faced a major crisis in the wake of an accusation of rape against a leading member.
- Wikipedia
During his years in Portsmouth, he was a significant influence in the city left as well as a lecturer at the polytechnic university there. He organized a number of demonstrations, including getting 12 coaches of people to the 2003 demonstration against the Iraq War, in London. In January 2009 he was arrested for organizing a peace rally of 400 people against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
His book Marxism and the Party (1978), analyzes the revolutionary left approach to the political party and the question of the revolutionary organization. and the discussion of Marx, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotsky, and Gramsci. In 1981 he published Leon Trotsky’s Theory of Revolution (1981), which critically explored Trotsky’s weaknesses and strengths. What is the Real Marxist Tradition? (1983/85) started life as a long article and was later published as a short book and is perhaps his most widely read publication.
He wrote a weekly column, “The ABCs of Marxism,” published in Socialist Worker (UK) for almost 15 years some of which were collected into a book Arguments for Revolutionary Socialism (1987) and a pamphlet on The Future Socialist Society (1987).
After he moved to Ireland he edited the Irish Marxist Review and contributed to many issues.
In 2006, he set up a blog where he "writes mainly about Marxist theory and art". He remained fascinated by this issue. His book The Point Is to Change It! was included in a display at the Tate Liverpool's exhibition Art turning Left (2013) showing the role that art plays in changing society.
In October 2020, he hosted the podcast Introduction to Marx/Marxism, which was described as "a series of short introductions to the ideas of Marx/Marxism".
In his last years, Molyneux also became involved in building an eco-socialist response to the climate crisis. He was one of the founders of the Global Ecosocialist Network.
He once wrote an article in the SWP's Internal Bulletin called "Democracy in the SWP", which argued that, though the SWP is democratic, it needs to be more so, prompting the Weekly Worker, the organ of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Provisional Central Committee) to call him a "loyal rebel". Molyneux remained a member of the loyal opposition in the SWP staying with the organization in 2012-13 when the SWP faced a major crisis in the wake of an accusation of rape against a leading member.
- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 18, 2012
For anyone who wants to learn more about Marxism and its practical application to changing the way society functions then this is the book for you. It explains some of the complicated aspects of Marxist philosophy in an easily digestible way. A must read for all!
January 28, 2013
John Molyneaux's book was a reasonable "introduction" to Marxist theory. Although aimed at the layman, I thought some of the terminology used seemed to assume a familiarity with philosophical discourse above the average person.
The only issue I had was that Molyneaux does have a tendency to come across a little too fervently supportive of Marx and all his ideas. Its a bit too uncritical of Marxist Philosophy - It can feel as though you are being drawn into a little cult.
The only issue I had was that Molyneaux does have a tendency to come across a little too fervently supportive of Marx and all his ideas. Its a bit too uncritical of Marxist Philosophy - It can feel as though you are being drawn into a little cult.
April 9, 2024
Some unorganised notes:
- The stability phase of the dialectic i.e. "unity of opposites", is secondary to "leaps", "breaks in continuity", "transformation into the opposite" (Lenin).
- Both overproduction and tendency of the rate of profit to fall are manifestations of the fundamental contradiction of capitalism that is that between the forces of production and the relations of production.
- Engels' central argument in 'The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State' (1884) about primitive communism has been proven by modern research by Eleanor Burke Leacock, Richard Lee and Colin Turnbull.
- Human nature in capitalism is alienated because capitalism is unable to meet needs, and also because social labour is distorted.
- Engels strongly emphasises "the ultimately determining", not deterministic, role of economics.
- Lukacs fails to grasp that working class in struggle develops class consciousness also; not directly transmitted from the revolutionary party in his elitist, idealised view.
- Lukacs' idealism also leads to view Marxism as only a "method" rather than a science that "arises from the practice of the working class - it is a generalisation about world history from the standpoint of the activity/labour and struggle of the working class."
- The stability phase of the dialectic i.e. "unity of opposites", is secondary to "leaps", "breaks in continuity", "transformation into the opposite" (Lenin).
- Both overproduction and tendency of the rate of profit to fall are manifestations of the fundamental contradiction of capitalism that is that between the forces of production and the relations of production.
- Engels' central argument in 'The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State' (1884) about primitive communism has been proven by modern research by Eleanor Burke Leacock, Richard Lee and Colin Turnbull.
- Human nature in capitalism is alienated because capitalism is unable to meet needs, and also because social labour is distorted.
- Engels strongly emphasises "the ultimately determining", not deterministic, role of economics.
- Lukacs fails to grasp that working class in struggle develops class consciousness also; not directly transmitted from the revolutionary party in his elitist, idealised view.
- Lukacs' idealism also leads to view Marxism as only a "method" rather than a science that "arises from the practice of the working class - it is a generalisation about world history from the standpoint of the activity/labour and struggle of the working class."
September 10, 2016
John Molyneux's career has taken him to different places, doing different things - whereby writing has not occupied his life - and I would propose that we should be grateful for his contribution in writing this introduction to Marxist philosophy, due mainly to the fact that it generally serves its purpose as an introduction.
The problem with Marxism is that so few understand Marxism.
Marxism is too easily reduced by many in society and the majority of the time that Marxism is spoken of, the person using the term reveals that they do not actually understand the ideology. What Molyneux does here is talk of Marxism for what it is; a philosophy. Marxism is not just 'communism' or 'anti-capitalist' or 'taking from the rich to distribute amongst the poor'. Marxism is a comprehensive philosophical, economical, political and sociological ideology which was amazingly crafted within three years by two very thoughtful people. This introduction does credit to that and I would invite any reducer of Marx or his ideas to even skim through these 200 pages and dare to speak so dismissively of Marxism again. In this sense of regaining a conceivable summary of Marxism, Molyneux has succeeded and thus done socialist discourse a favour.
Written for the activist and largely avoiding academic dryness, this book is accessible. Molyneux acknowledges that content and discussion become more dense throughout the book, but perhaps at times he could have simplified things further, especially as the book develops and various themes and terminologies come into intellectual interaction with each other. Having said that, the book is largely accessible and I can now say I have a decent understanding of Marxist philosophy on a basic to intermediate level.
I should note that I would consider this a kind of technical handbook rather than one to motivate either an idle person or an aspiring activist. This is not a drawback, since it is meant to be a scientific book to inform the activist, rather than a truly inspiring book to activate the activist! At times Molyneux is considerably defensive of Marxism which results in a kind of negative tone but there is still room for each reader to agree or disagree with the argument Moyneux puts up on Marx's behalf. I am pleased, after reading, to know I have a book into which I can delve at any later time in order to look up certain terms or areas of debate, just to refresh that knowledge.
Other concerns...
-Referencing is decent and he gives constant recommendations for further reading.
-However, an index would be handy to look up certain ideas, terminologies, people or events - although the structure of the book is testament to Molyneux's logical reconstruction of the basics of the philosophy.
-The book itself is nice! It seems to be a durable paperback and the artwork is very cool, whilst the socialist, bright red, title in capital (far from capitalist) letters on the spine is an upbeat aesthetic addition to my bookshelf!
All in all:
A great read for anyone who wishes to understand Marxism for what it really is instead of all too easily dismissing and reducing it. Approachable, accessible and generally informative, this is a great alternative to jumping into the jungle of Marx's own dense texts, or those of any other Marxist writer, who, although furthering the discourse, does not accommodate those unable or unwilling to engage in such enigmatic works. This accessibility holds true to a vital criterion to Marxism: involvement with/of the masses.
Read it and share it with any mistaker of the philosophy or even better, anyone who may themselves adopt the doctrine for a socialist cause.
The problem with Marxism is that so few understand Marxism.
Marxism is too easily reduced by many in society and the majority of the time that Marxism is spoken of, the person using the term reveals that they do not actually understand the ideology. What Molyneux does here is talk of Marxism for what it is; a philosophy. Marxism is not just 'communism' or 'anti-capitalist' or 'taking from the rich to distribute amongst the poor'. Marxism is a comprehensive philosophical, economical, political and sociological ideology which was amazingly crafted within three years by two very thoughtful people. This introduction does credit to that and I would invite any reducer of Marx or his ideas to even skim through these 200 pages and dare to speak so dismissively of Marxism again. In this sense of regaining a conceivable summary of Marxism, Molyneux has succeeded and thus done socialist discourse a favour.
Written for the activist and largely avoiding academic dryness, this book is accessible. Molyneux acknowledges that content and discussion become more dense throughout the book, but perhaps at times he could have simplified things further, especially as the book develops and various themes and terminologies come into intellectual interaction with each other. Having said that, the book is largely accessible and I can now say I have a decent understanding of Marxist philosophy on a basic to intermediate level.
I should note that I would consider this a kind of technical handbook rather than one to motivate either an idle person or an aspiring activist. This is not a drawback, since it is meant to be a scientific book to inform the activist, rather than a truly inspiring book to activate the activist! At times Molyneux is considerably defensive of Marxism which results in a kind of negative tone but there is still room for each reader to agree or disagree with the argument Moyneux puts up on Marx's behalf. I am pleased, after reading, to know I have a book into which I can delve at any later time in order to look up certain terms or areas of debate, just to refresh that knowledge.
Other concerns...
-Referencing is decent and he gives constant recommendations for further reading.
-However, an index would be handy to look up certain ideas, terminologies, people or events - although the structure of the book is testament to Molyneux's logical reconstruction of the basics of the philosophy.
-The book itself is nice! It seems to be a durable paperback and the artwork is very cool, whilst the socialist, bright red, title in capital (far from capitalist) letters on the spine is an upbeat aesthetic addition to my bookshelf!
All in all:
A great read for anyone who wishes to understand Marxism for what it really is instead of all too easily dismissing and reducing it. Approachable, accessible and generally informative, this is a great alternative to jumping into the jungle of Marx's own dense texts, or those of any other Marxist writer, who, although furthering the discourse, does not accommodate those unable or unwilling to engage in such enigmatic works. This accessibility holds true to a vital criterion to Marxism: involvement with/of the masses.
Read it and share it with any mistaker of the philosophy or even better, anyone who may themselves adopt the doctrine for a socialist cause.
May 25, 2025
Not terrible, per se, but much of it came off as completely boilerplate. There's a real need for someone to translate what I'd identify as the "real" Marxist philosophy, as developed by thinkers like Lukacs and Gramsci, into a form accessible to layreaders, but Molyneux was able to do so only at great cost. His translation, perhaps unavoidably, reduces much of Marxism to banalities, especially in the abysmal section on materialism (which is hardly distinguishable from your average Marxist-Leninist claptrap on the subject). Molyneux is an intelligent, perceptive man, and his insights occasionally break through, but overall it's hard not to get the feeling that, at a certain point, popularization goes so far as to no longer represent the thing being popularized.
October 8, 2013
An interesting book, but if I didn't have a bit of background in studying Marx I don't think I would've understood a lot of it. Not the ideal for a newcomer to the subject then, but a convincing and persuasive read if you can follow the technicalities of the arguments put forward.
April 13, 2016
Solid intro to Marxism from an SWP perspective. Interesting for its attempt to explain themes relevant to workers rather than approaching Marx exegetically. Perhaps if the author was a little less toxic towards academic Marxism, could have merited four stars.
August 3, 2015
A lively, clear, well-written introduction to Marxist philosophy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews