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Overview
Revolutionary Social Transformation focuses on the visions and analysis culled from the writings of Karl Marx, Paulo Freire, and Antonio Gramsci. Marx's theory of critical praxis and his dialectical conceptualization of capitalism are discussed together with Freire's and Gramsci's ideas. The author suggests that these are necessary ingredients for authentic social transformation as well as a basis for rekindling hope for a veritable democratic future.
The author employs both a language of critique and a language of possibility to argue that the process of social transformation must be inherently educational. Social transformation begins in prefigurative, preparatory projects and continues even after the creation of a new social formation. She also argues that Marx's materialist theory of consciousness—his theory of critical praxis—informs the thinking of both Freire and Gramsci. The ideas of Freire and Gramsci together with Marx's dialectical conceptualization of capitalism provide essential ingredients for the type of critical theory of educational praxis necessary for authentic social transformation. These ingredients also indicate how local transformative efforts can be linked to the global project for social transformation and ultimately the ending of all oppression.
Synopsis
The ideas of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci are explored as guides to social progress.
Booknews
With Marx's revolutionary theory of consciousness as her anchor, Allman (continuing education, U. of Nottingham, England) extols the education and social transformation ideas of Paulo Freire and Antonio Gramsci. Citing others who also doubt monetarism's and neoliberalism's inevitable ignition of the best international economic conditions, the author argues that what it needed is improved empathetic communication; sustainable development built upon democratic control over the economy from the bottom up; and re- creation of our concepts of democracy, truth, and equality. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)