ABSTRACT

This book systematically addresses Bourdieu’s key ideas and concepts in the context of Marxist thought. In this book, Bourdieu’s central theoretical points are analyzed within a political, sociological and politico-economic framework which allows for the development of a sequential narrative of his key ideas. Thus, the authors are able to highlight the theoretical consistencies and political conclusions which can be derived from Bourdieu’s work. For example, Bourdieu’s anti-neoliberal narrative is correlated with his analysis of class, and especially with his canonization of the petty bourgeoisie and its strategy for a reformed anti-neoliberal capitalism. The book also analyzes this coherent synthesis of Bourdieu’s work in the context of Marxist political economy, including not only Marx but also Lenin, Althusser and Poulantzas. In this context, the book explores Bourdieu’s work on the state, class strategy, socialism and capitalism. This unique perspective will be of great interest to social scientists, particularly in economics, politics and sociology, working on Bourdieu, Marx and capitalism.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

Research questions

chapter 1|27 pages

‘Capitals’, ‘fields’, dominant class, intellectuals and state

Aspects of Bourdieu's analysis

chapter 2|15 pages

A first critical codification

Intellectuals, capitalism and the principal contradiction of capitalism

chapter 3|26 pages

The social classes

Bourdieu's and Marxist analysis

chapter 5|21 pages

Again for the state

Class and ‘universal’

chapter |15 pages

Epilogue