Removing the Stalin Stain
by William Briggs

Can Marxism emerge from the long shadow cast by Stalinism, and challenge capitalism?

Can Marxism emerge from the long shadow cast by Stalinism, and challenge capitalism?

There is undoubtedly a growing interest in Marxism and socialism. Opinion polls show a majority that regard socialism as a real option. It is against this reality, and as a contribution to growing debates, that this book has been written. Marxism, as an ideological force and instituted to lead the charge against capitalism, has been poorly served in the past century. Many of its core messages have been obscured.

William Briggs gives a rousing defence of Marxism, calling for a return of the working class to the centre of potential struggle. Briggs seeks to heal the damage done to Marxism, in the name of Marxism, over generations past.

Reviews:
An erudite and deftly crafted study, "Removing The Stalin Stain" is impressively informative and exceptionally well organized, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community, college, and university library Contemporary Political Science & Philosophy collections. It should be noted for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. ~ Clint Travis, Midwest Book Review
Briggs tackles head-on the zone of conflict that Marx never quite got to, though not for lack of ambition. How do nation-states both manage and contest the military-industrial surges of global capitalism? Arguing the novel thesis that Stalin did good work for capitalism, offering its defenders an open goal to score against Marxism, Removing the Stalin Stain presents a clearly argued and outward-facing Marxist analysis of contemporary politics. ~ Terrell Carver, Professor of Political Theory, University of Bristol, UK
In this pertinent book, William Briggs urges us to return to a classical Marxism that was distorted and stained by Stalinism and by many Marxists in the 20th century. That means recognising the key elements of crises in capitalism and analysing them scientifically. In particular, Marxists must break from the nationalist, reformist view adopted by Stalinism and social democracy and embrace internationalism. And it must restore the role of the world working class as the international agent of change in a globalising capitalism. If Marxism does so, it can banish pessimism about the ability to end capitalism. ~ Michael Roberts, City of London economist, author of The Long Depression: Marxism and the Global Crisis of Capitalism
At a time of rising global inequality and violence, often caused by capitalism's built-in mechanisms, it's vital to reassess the very basis of our political existence. This book is a necessary read because it both challenges the dangers of romanticising the past and arguing for the importance of Marxism in the 21st century. I welcome its bravery in highlighting the struggles of the working class, without whose success our societies will forever remain incomplete. ~ Antony Loewenstein, independent journalist, film-maker and author of Disaster Capitalism: Making A Killing Out Of Catastrophe