Ben Wilson’s review of Eric Hobsbawm’s latest work, How to Change the World: Tales of Marx and Marxism.

Near the end of this fascinating study of Marxism, Eric Hobsbawm charts the recession of Marxist thought. A theory that had offered certainty and hope was beset by doubt. The abysmal record of communist states and their eventual fall, the collapse of organised labour movements, the decline of radicalism, the success of capitalism in fulfilling human needs and many other factors placed Marxism in eclipse.

For Hobsbawm the financial crisis changed everything. “A systematic alternative system may not be on the horizon,” he argues, “but the possibility of disintegration, even collapse, of the existing system is no longer to be ruled out. Neither side knows what would happen in that case.”

We are living, then, at the end or at least the beginning of the end. The market, as Hobsbawm writes, creates many problems in its pursuit of limitless growth. “Once again the time has come to take Marx seriously.” Hobsbawm has little time for those on the Left who treat Marx as a prophet whose word is law. “What could be learnt from Marx was his method of facing the tasks of analysis and action rather than ready-made lessons to be derived from classic texts.”

More here. Also check out this wonderful conversation with the great historian.