ATEOH Interviews: Andrew Hartman on Karl Marx in America

Interest in Karl Marx is surging amidst current debates on economic inequality. Join us as we sit down with historian Andrew Hartman to discuss his fascinating new book, Karl Marx in America, a comprehensive account of how Marx's writings have been used and interpreted in the United States from the late 19th century through the modern era.

Professor Hartman explores the century-plus evolution of Marxism in America, including how early socialists navigated the unique social and cultural conditions that underpin ideas of "American exceptionalism." We delve into Marx's own surprising views on American economic and political life, including his writings for the New York Daily Tribune and his thoughts on the Civil War.

Our discussion also illuminates the critical debates surrounding W.E.B. Du Bois's Black Reconstruction, analyzing whether Du Bois was adapting Marx to the American racial order or revealing something essential that others had overlooked. The episode also explores the chilling effect of the Cold War on the reception of Marx's thought, the complexities of Cold War liberalism, and the long-term influence of Trotskyism and the New York Intellectuals. Finally, we consider the legacy of the New Left's focus on cultural criticism and how future historians might judge their contributions. Don't miss this essential deep dive into a powerful, enduring, and often contradictory intellectual history.

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