Skip to main content
Advertise Buy the paper Contact us Shop Subscribe Support us
The fallacy of work worship
ALAN McGUIRE recommends a book that tries to shift our understanding of work and our relationship to it

The Double Shift: Spinoza and Marx on the Politics of Work
by Jason Read
Verso, £16.99

 

THERE are trends in book genres, and trends in political theory are not exempt from this. The reading of Spinoza is an exception to the rule of cringey political theory. Marx himself read Spinosa, as did Louis Althusser, Mark Fisher and Antonio Negri.

His standing as one of the original materialists, his critique of liberals such as Hobbes and Locke and his charge against the dominant thought of religion of the day all make him a satisfactory companion to read alongside Marx.

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Books / 3 December 2024
3 December 2024
MICHAL BONCZA recommends a compact volume that charts the art of propagating ideas across the 20th century
Gig review / 5 May 2024
5 May 2024
MICHAL BONCZA reviews Cairokee gig at the London Barbican
Culture / 29 April 2024
29 April 2024
Opinion / 15 March 2024
15 March 2024
MICHAL BONCZA rounds up a series of images designed to inspire women
Similar stories
Book Review / 13 September 2024
13 September 2024
ALISTAIR FINDLAY recommends a prime example of a Marxist history of popular music that entertains and inspires
Books / 12 September 2024
12 September 2024
ANDY HEDGECOCK recommends the application of ‘Gothic Marxism’ for its memorable portrayal of the physical violence done to working people
Books / 5 September 2024
5 September 2024
GORDON PARSONS recommends a fine introduction to a philosopher who, like Marx, worked to help society to reject illusion and understand the realities of the human condition
Books / 21 August 2024
21 August 2024
An exploration of Baldwin’s writing and travels that overlooks his political radicalism does no service to him or the movement says JENNY FARRELL