The formation of the economic thought of Karl Marx, 1843 to Capital

In this book, Mandel discusses the development of Marx's economic ideas from their beginnings to the completion of the Grundrisse. He combines a historical retrospective and a review of current discussions on each of the subjects and problems central to Marxist economy theory. He traces the development of the concept of "alienation" in Marx, and its fate in the hands of succeeding generations, down to the present discussion in East and West Europe, summarizes the fascinating debates over the "Asiatic mode of production," and discusses labor theory of value, the problem of periodic crises, the theory of wages and the polarization of wealth and poverty, and the problem of progressive "disalienation" through the building of socialist society. The author provides summaries of the viewpoints of the many participants in these discussions, copious references to the literature about the origins of Marxism as well as to recent and current discussions, and a firm and clear presentation of his own views on each issue. -- from back cover.