Marx, Tocqueville, and Race in America: The 'Absolute Democracy' or 'Defiled Republic' - Hardcover

Nimtz Jr., August H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0739106775 ISBN 13: 9780739106778

Publisher: Lexington Books, 2003

Synopsis

While Alexis de Tocqueville described America as the 'absolute democracy,' Karl Marx saw the nation as a 'defiled republic' so long as it permitted the enslavement of blacks. In this insightful political history, Nimtz argues that Marx and his partner, Frederick Engels, had a far more acute and insightful reading of American democracy than Tocqueville because they recognized that the overthrow of slavery and the cessation of racial oppression were central to its realization. Nimtz's account contrasts both the writings and the civil action of Tocqueville, Marx and Engels, noting that Marx and Engels actively mobilized the German-American community in opposition to the slavocracy prior to the Civil War, and that Marx heavily supported the Union cause. This potent and insightful investigation into the approaches of two major thinkers provides fresh insight into past and present debates about race and democracy in America.

About this title

About the Author

August J. Nimtz, Jr. is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota and the author of several books and articles on Marx and Engels.

Review

August Nimtz's scholarship's establishes beyond question that Marx and Engels, not Alexis de Tocqueville, were the most profound students (and proponents) of democracy in 19th century America. Anyone who thinks Marx and Engels were the intellectual fathers of 20th century totalitarianism will be interested to learn that they are more accurately seen as supporters of radical democracy for blacks and all other oppressed people in the world. (John Manley, Stanford University)

This impressive study combines an acute critique of Tocqueville's celebrated writings on the United States with a provocative appreciation of Karl Marx's far less well-known writings on the U.S. In locating the source of Marx's insights in a passionate activist concern with issues of slavery and freedom, Nimtz brilliantly details a living Marxism, committed to democratic change and grounding its theory in engagement with ebbing and flowing social struggles. (David Roediger, University of Illinois)

August Nimtz's work is a compelling sythesis of political theory and intellectual history. He conclusively demonstates the centrality of the U.S. for the founders of historical materialism. Nimitz rigorously compares the formulations of Marx and Engels to those of Tocqueville and makes a persuasive case for their greater purchase on a society defined by democracy, capitalism and slavery. (Gopal Balakrishnan)

This book makes a series of important...claims concerning Marx and Marxism. . . . it is surely one of the most innovative and challenging defenses of Marzist theory in recent decades. Highly recommended. (CHOICE)

...this is a splendid book which every activist should read and learn from. (Socialist Review)

If Marx is the most influential socialist thinker of the modern era, Toqueville his chief democratic counterpart, and race relations the central defining issue of American politics for over 200 years, why have we had to wait so long for a scholarly comparison of the thinking of these two giants on this question? This book, in short, is long overdue, as evidenced by the insights, many quite profound, that fly like sparks in all directions. Students of Marx, Toqueville, race in America and, perhaps most of all, of democracy (both the theory and the practice) will forever be indebted to August Nimtz for this beautifully written and extraordinarily enlightening study. (Bertell Ollman, New York University)

Bringing Marx's critical thoughts on race to bear on Tocqueville's vision of America as the "absolute democracy," this book focuses on the fascinating question of why Tocqueville and Marx saw America in such radically different ways. . . ..The author recounts with grace, passion, and impecable historical detail the unappreciated story of Marx's involvement in the cause of the American Civil War and his efforts in support of slavery. Marx's and Engels's struggle to mobilize German-American workers in support of abolition and the Union cause is a fascinating study in the role of ideas and political agency in history. (Perspectives on Politics)

Edition details

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0739106775
• ISBN 13: 9780739106778
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 314