Marxism Today

Marxism today, the 'theoretical journal' of the Communist Party of Great Britain

Marxism Today now has an online archive of back issues, thanks to a grant from the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust.

In his introduction to the archive, Martin Jacques (editor, 1977-1991) states:

"Though it might sound a little far-fetched for those whose generation post-dates Marxism Today, it is no exaggeration to say that Marxism Today was easily the most influential political magazine in Britain between 1978 and 1991. Its influence had many aspects. Not least was the element of surprise. People expected a magazine of this title to be leaden, boring and predictable. It most certainly was not."

For Jacques, the magazine "created a new kind of writing style, which combined the best aspects of academic and journalistic writing – weighty, analytical and accessible."

Jacques writes, "it was a magazine of profound political and intellectual substance. The real yardstick, as always, is the test of time. In this respect, Marxism Today has no peers, either then or since."

Jacques outlines three essays that were significant for Marxism Today: "Forward March of Labour Halted?", by Eric Hobsbawm, September 1978; a debate on the nature of Thatcherism, "The Great Moving Right Show", by Stuart Hall, January 1979; and a debate on "New Times", October 1988.

The Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust has also funded archives of The New Reasoner with an introduction by Peter Worsley, Dorothy Thompson and Stuart Hall and of Universities & Left Review, both of which have searchable archives. The Trust's website's index page also provides links to archives for 'Our History pamphlets' (Socialist History Society), Soundings (1995-1999) and Race & Class Articles.

Contact, References and Resources

Resources

• Herbert F. Pimlott (2004) From the Margins to the Mainstream: The Promotion and Distribution of Marxism Today
• Chris Marsden (2004) Martin Jacques: embittered British Stalinist pronounces on death of the “left,” World Socialist Web Site.
• Steve Lohr (1988) A Magazine Reflects a Shift in the British Left. New York Times.