When Marxists Do Research

(Hardback)

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Professor Vaillancourt has written an unique introductory volume designed to assist non-Marxist scholars and students to understand and evaluate Marxist inquiry. In clear, straightforward language, the author identifies and examines the research of four of the most important contemporary Marxist currents--structuralists, philosophics, materialists, and deductivists. Marxist research-relevant assumptions about epistemology, methodology, and science are scrutinized along with how each of the various Marxist groups goes about conducting research in terms of contemporary social science norms. Examples are offered of how the respective groups' epistemology and methodological assumptions influence their choice of a research strategy and its associated research techniques. The value and utility of the results of Marxist inquiry for defending knowledge claims and producing reasoned policy are also explained.

Reviews

One must admire the author for having undertaken this. . . The greatest and undoubted value of the book, as I see it, consists in the aim of the author "to provide non-Marxists with a basic understanding of the various orientations within contemporary Marxism and with some appreciation for the quality and scope of their social research." Much is done to reach this aim: readers get much information and many valuable insights about the value of Marxism for non-Marxist scientists--provided their eyes are not blinded by prejudices against Marxism. . . .-Nature, Society, and Thought
"One must admire the author for having undertaken this. . . The greatest and undoubted value of the book, as I see it, consists in the aim of the author "to provide non-Marxists with a basic understanding of the various orientations within contemporary Marxism and with some appreciation for the quality and scope of their social research." Much is done to reach this aim: readers get much information and many valuable insights about the value of Marxism for non-Marxist scientists--provided their eyes are not blinded by prejudices against Marxism. . . ."-Nature, Society, and Thought

Author Bio

illancourt /f Pauline /i Marie