Marx's Russian Moment

This book discusses Marxs relations with Russia, which have always been ambivalent. In his youth, and indeed a good way into the 1860s, Marx might even be called a Russophobe. Around 1870, however, his views on Russia undergo a change; he becomes acquainted with a new kind of Russian radical and revolutionary movement and begins to study Russian. It becomes clear that Marx begins to feel that Russia is some kind of a touchstone for his theories. Offering a new and original interpretation of Marxs theoretical development, Marxs Russian Moment analyzes the following themes: Marxs concept of ideology (as developed in the German Ideology) and its fortunes in Russia; Marxs encounter with Bakunin and Russian nihilism; Marxs and Engelss studies of primitive societies; Engelss views of the developmental perspectives of small Slavic nations; and Marxs views on Finland, the Russian Grand Duchy. Considering these topics as case studies, Oittinen argues that Marxs encounter with Russia substantially influenced Marxs (and Engelss) views not just on current political and economic matters but also on a philosophical and methodological level.