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.

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9780897898034

Table of Contents

Reviews

... Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations. -The Adult Education Quarterly ... the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis. -Philosophy in Review ... provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci. -Interchange ?...the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis.?-Philosophy in Review ?...provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci.?-Interchange ?...Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations.?-The Adult Education Quarterly .,. the text may be useful to those not yet familiar with the power, breadth and vision of Marx's analysis. -Philosophy in Review .,. provides an important addition to the libraries of educators wishing to advance their rudimentary understanding of Marx, Freire, and Gramsci. -Interchange .,. Paula Allman's book is a tour de force. It is rigorous, it provides deep knowledge of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire, and it is inspiring in the use of these three figures' ideas to promote radically democratic social relations. -The Adult Education Quarterly A welcome and timely antidote to the ludic temporising of much fashionable 'postmodern theorising' about education for social change in today's world....It shows us how to be strategic about our visions and visionary about our strategies. -Ian S. Martin, Senior Lecturer Department of Community Education, University of Edinburgh What Paula Allman does - systematically, authoritatively and, in my opinion, triumphantly - is to reinsert Marxist theory at the heart of the contemporary debate about radical education. A detailed reading of Marx, Gramsci, and Freire and of their contribution to revolutionary transformation. Allman, as ever, is principled and hopeful. -Jane Thompson National Organisation for Adult Learning (NIACE) UK This is a well-argued book containing a radical analysis of injustice and how we must organize ourselves collectively to eradicate it. It emphasizes that we need both consciousness and education if we are to work for transformation rather than reform. A thoughtful new presentation of Marxist ideas based upon the author's own experience in education, emphasizing the importance of the struggles that lie ahead. -Right Honorable Tony Benn MP (House of Commons, London)

This is a well-argued book containing a radical analysis of injustice and how we must organize ourselves collectively to eradicate it. It emphasizes that we need both consciousness and education if we are to work for transformation rather than reform. A thoughtful new presentation of Marxist ideas based upon the author's own experience in education, emphasizing the importance of the struggles that lie ahead. -Right Honorable Tony Benn MP (House of Commons, London)

Author Information

PAULA ALLMAN is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Continuing Education at the University of Nottingham, England.

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