The Bourgeois Epoch

Marx and Engels on Britain, France, and Germany

By Richard F. Hamilton | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

Richard Hamilton provides an in-depth critique of the writngs of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on Britain, France, and Germany. Hamilton contends that the validity of their principal historical claims has been assumed more often than investigated, and he reviews the logic of their historical arguments, citing relevant sources that challenge many of the assertions they used to build their theory of inexorable historical change.

Although Marx emphasized the need for systematic empirical research into historical events, he and Engels in fact relied on impressionistic evidence to support their claims of how fault lines were forming in capitalist society. Marxist theory, Hamilton concludes, is poorly supported in the historical analysis supplied by its original formulators. In showing that the historical record points to alternative readings of the course of social, economic, and political development in Western society, Hamilton argues that class boundaries tend to be fluid and that major change is more often than not the product of evolutionary — rather than revolutionary — forces.

Originally published in 1991.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Editions of The Bourgeois Epoch

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807819760
Paperback
ISBN 9780807843253
EBook
ISBN 9781469639819
PDF
ISBN 9798890866011

Read an Excerpt

Richard Hamilton provides an in-depth critique of the writngs of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on Britain, France, and Germany. Hamilton contends that the validity of their principal historical claims has been assumed more often than investigated, and he reviews the logic of their historical arguments, citing relevant sources that challenge many of the assertions they used to build their theory of inexorable historical change.

Although Marx emphasized the need for systematic empirical research into historical events, he and Engels in fact relied on impressionistic evidence to support their claims of how fault lines were forming in capitalist society. Marxist theory, Hamilton concludes, is poorly supported in the historical analysis supplied by its original formulators. In showing that the historical record points to alternative readings of the course of social, economic, and political development in Western society, Hamilton argues that class boundaries tend to be fluid and that major change is more often than not the product of evolutionary — rather than revolutionary — forces.

Originally published in 1991.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Bourgeois Epoch about?

Richard Hamilton provides an in-depth critique of the writngs of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on Britain, France, and Germany. Hamilton contends that the validity of their principal historical claims has been assumed more often than investigated, and he reviews the logic of their historical arguments, citing relevant sources that challenge many of the assertions they used to build their theory of inexorable historical change.

Although Marx emphasized the need for systematic empirical research into historical events, he and Engels in fact relied on impressionistic evidence to support their claims of how fault lines were forming in capitalist society. Marxist theory, Hamilton concludes, is poorly supported in the historical analysis supplied by its original formulators. In showing that the historical record points to alternative readings of the course of social, economic, and political development in Western society, Hamilton argues that class boundaries tend to be fluid and that major change is more often than not the product of evolutionary — rather than revolutionary — forces.

Originally published in 1991.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Bourgeois Epoch?

History and Archaeology > History > European history

Where can I read a sample of The Bourgeois Epoch?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807819760

How long is The Bourgeois Epoch and how many pages does it have?

The Bourgeois Epoch has 312 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Bourgeois Epoch?

Richard F. Hamilton

Who is the Publisher of the book The Bourgeois Epoch?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Bourgeois Epoch is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807819760) and paperback(ISBN 9780807843253) and ebook(ISBN 9781469639819) and pdf(ISBN 9798890866011)

Where can I buy The Bourgeois Epoch online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy The Bourgeois Epoch?