This volume completes the trilogy of Tony Cliff's key writings, It is as it groups together his major theoretical works for the first time.
Cliff's analysis of the nature of Stalinist Russia as state capitalist proved to be vital in orienting socialists in the difficult period of the Cold War, and rallying a new movement around the concept of 'Neither Washington ru Moscow but international socialism'. Cliff's original text on this issue is reproduced here for the first time since the 1940s.
Another phenomenon that needed explaining was the economic boom post-war period that confounded Trotsky’s predictions, and led some socialists to believe that capitalism could escape economic crisis forever. The theory of the permanent arms economy, which also appears in this explained both the source of the boom and the seeds of its downfall.
Finally, the coming to power of governments in China and Cuba that clamed to be socialist, but did so without the participation or involvement of their respective working classes, posed a problem for socialist theory, In Cliff’s article 'Permanent Revolution' this question is explained using Trotsky’s brilliant theoretical insight, but adapting it to contemporary conditions,
Alongside the 'big three' theories, this volume includes many other articles of great importance, ranging from an analysis of the agrarian question to the liberation of women and gay people, It concludes with a short but exceptionally clear summary of Marxist theory.
Both those who are new to Cliff's work and those who are not will find this book an illuminating read.