One sentence summary
American Marxism by Mark R. Levin is an exploration of the Marxist philosophy and its impact on American culture, society, and politics.
Book genre
American Marxism is a political science, history, and philosophy book.
Main topic of the book
American Marxism examines the history, evolution, and impact of Marxist philosophy on American culture, society, and politics. It covers topics such as Leninism, Trotskyism, the New Deal, and the Frankfurt School.
Key ideas
- Marxism – The ideas behind it, its trajectory in and influence on American culture, society, and politics.
- Leninism – How the Russian Revolution of 1917 ultimately fostered the growth of Marxism in the U.S.
- Trotskyism – Trotsky’s populist interpretation of Marxism, which led to the third International.
- The New Deal – The Depression-era policies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt that incorporated aspects of Marxism.
- The Frankfurt School – The influential European-based institute of critical theory set up in 1923.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
American Marxism is divided into five parts:
- Part I – Marxism and Its Cultural Origins – Levin explores the history and cultural roots of Marxism, from its early proponents such as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which helped spur its growth in the U.S.
- Part II – Leninism and its American Impact – Levin examines the impact of Vladimir Lenin’s writings in the U.S. and the growth of the American Marxist movement.
- Part III – Trotskyism and its Global Implications – Levin examines the contributions of Leon Trotsky to the Marxist movement, and the effects of his populist interpretation of Marxism.
- Part IV – The New Deal and Marxism in America – Levin investigates how aspects of Marxism were incorporated into Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal policies and how they changed the face of U.S. politics.
- Part V – The Frankfurt School and its Influence – Levin delves into the European institution, the Frankfurt School, and the influence its theorists had on the American Marxist movement.
Key takeaways
- Marxism has had a profound impact on American culture, society, and politics.
- Leninism and Trotskyism were influential in the growth of Marxism in the U.S.
- The New Deal had several aspects of Marxism incorporated into its policies.
- The Frankfurt School had a big influence on the American Marxist movement.
Author’s background and qualifications
Mark R. Levin is an American author, attorney, and talk-show host. He holds a law degree from Temple University and is a former Ronald Reagan scholar. He is the author of numerous books on U.S. politics and culture including Liberty and Tyranny and Ameritopia.
Target audience
American Marxism is suitable for readers with an interest in American politics, philosophy, and history.
Publisher and first publication date
American Marxism was first published in 1997 and is published by Oxford University Press.