Book chapter
The Role of Agency in History: The Althusser-Thompson-Anderson Debate
Current perspectives in social theory, Vol.6, pp.219-241
01 Jan 1985
Abstract
The issues regarding the reconcilability of human agency & social structure raised in an ongoing debate between Louis Althusser, E. P. Thompson, & Perry Anderson are examined (see Lenin and Philosophy, New York: Monthly Review Press, 1971; The Poverty of Theory, New York: Monthly Review Press, 1978; & Arguments within English Marxism, London: New Left Books, 1980, respectively). Where Althusser denies any role for agency, which he dismisses as an illusion of ideology, Thompson argues for the primacy of agency in history & in the class struggle; Anderson seeks a middle position, viewing the importance of agency as having emerged from the modern revolutionary socialist movement. The influence of positivism has been an important reason for the denial of agency; the growing rejection of positivism in philosophy of science makes room for reconciliations of agency & structure that Marxism may offer. Examination of the details of the dispute reveals two obstacles to an integration of structure & agency -- the unique dynamics of social structure & the limitation of human agency by social structure -- but also suggests a role for human agency & for class struggle within these constraints. 25 References. W. H. Stoddard
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Details
- Title
- The Role of Agency in History: The Althusser-Thompson-Anderson Debate
- Creators
- Douglas Porpora
- Publication Details
- Current perspectives in social theory, Vol.6, pp.219-241
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Communication
- Identifiers
- 991021863480304721