'An outstanding piece of committed scholarship, impressive in its intellectual scope, rational argumentation and clarity of exposition.' Radical Philosophy
'Few social and political theorists in recent years can match the combination of quality and quantity in the writings of Alex Callinicos. This book offers incisive and lucid discussions in his best manner of the views on history of a range of contemporary thinkers from Francis Fukuyama to Hayden White and Robert Brenner.' Political Studies
Part 1. Sympathy for the Devil?.
Francis Fukuyama and the End of History.
1.1. Fukuyama and the Left.
1.2. Kojeve: From Hegel to Stalin.
1.3. Fukuyama: From Spengler to Reagan.
1.4. History and Reason.
Part 2. History as Narrative.
2.1. The Claims of Narrative.
2.2. The Specificity of Modern Historical Discourse.
2.3. Facing the Facts.
2.4. Theory and Interpretation.
Part 3. History as Theory.
3.1. What is a Theory of History?.
3.2. Marx or Weber?.
3.3. Capitalism and Abstraction.
Part 4. History as Progress.
4.1. Meaning in History.
4.2. The Dialectics of Progress.
4.3. The Rise of the West.
4.4. Identity and Emancipation.
Conclusion.
Notes.
Index.