History and Event

Explores the politics of modern and contemporary historical sciences, from Marxism to contemporary French theory

Are sciences of history relics of an abandoned modernism? Nathan Coombs demonstrates that the Marxist science of history has been reimagined by a strand of contemporary French theory after Louis Althusser. Taking a comparative approach, Coombs explores the technical details of both traditions' historical sciences. He argues that their articulations of history and event affect how we approach political transformation and view the role of theoreticians in political practice.

History and Event sits at a productive juncture of critical theory, continental thought and social scientific philosophy. It is a vital resource for researchers who wish to sharpen their critical insight into Marxist philosophy and contemporary French theory.

Key Features

• Establishes continuities and discontinuities between classical Marxism and Althusserian theory
• New readings of Hegel, Marx, Lenin, Althusser, Badiou, Meillassoux and complexity theory
• Explores the implications of different sciences of history, including how we conceive of political transformation and the role of theorists in political practice