Around N. Poulantzas' Theory of Class

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to comment upon recent debates on the theory of class and class struggle in Western Marxism. Firstly, B. Hindess' position is presented, and his interpretation of N. Poulantzas as a Lukácsian rather than an Althusserian is criticized. Secondly, A. Przeworski on the process of class formation is dealt with, and the ambiguities of his argumentation are pointed out. Lastly, this paper concludes by suggesting where a fundamental issue is to be found, referring to E.O. Wright's “modes of determination”, on the one hand, and to S. Hall's “theory of representation”, on the other.