Revolutionary Social Transformation: Democratic Hopes, Political Possibilities and Critical Education

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The author employs both "a language of critique" and "a language of possibility" to argue that the process of social transformation must be inherently educational. Social transformation begins in prefigurative, preparatory projects and continues even after the creation of a new social formation. She also argues that Marx's materialist theory of consiousness - his theory of critical praxis - informs the thinking of both Freire and Gramsci. The ideas of Freire and Gramsci together with Marx's dialectical conceptualization of capitalism provide essential ingredients for the type of critical theory of educational praxis necessary for authentic social transformation. These ingredients also indicate how local transformative efforts can be linked to the global project for social transformation and ultimately the ending of all oppression.

Reviews

"A welcome and timely antidote to the ludic temporising of much fashionable 'postmodern theorising' about education for social change in today's world....It shows us how to be strategic about our visions and visionary about our strategies."-Ian S. Martin, Senior Lecturer Department of Community Education, University of Edinburgh
"This is a well-argued book containing a radical analysis of injustice and how we must organize ourselves collectively to eradicate it. It emphasizes that we need both consciousness and education if we are to work for transformation rather than reform. A thoughtful new presentation of Marxist ideas based upon the author's own experience in education, emphasizing the importance of the struggles that lie ahead."-Right Honorable Tony Benn MP (House of Commons, London)
"What Paula Allman does - systematically, authoritatively and, in my opinion, triumphantly - is to reinsert Marxist theory at the heart of the contemporary debate about radical education. A detailed reading of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire and of their contribution to revolutionary transformation. Allman, as ever, is principled and hopeful."-Jane Thompson National Organisation for Adult Learning (NIACE) UK
.,."provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci."-Interchange
.,."the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis."-Philosophy in Review
.,."Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations."-The Adult Education Quarterly
...provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci.-Interchange
...the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis.-Philosophy in Review
...Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations.-The Adult Education Quarterly
..."provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci."-Interchange
..."the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis."-Philosophy in Review
..."Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations."-The Adult Education Quarterly

Author Bio

PAULA ALLMAN is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Continuing Education at the University of Nottingham, England.