Letters from Tomis

Book Review

A review installment on books that I happen to be reading.

Afanasyev, V.G. Historical Materialism. Translated by R. Daglish, Progress Publishers, 1977.

V.G. Afanasyev’s Historical Materialism is a quintessential Soviet-era exposition of Marxist theory, written with the confidence and didactic precision characteristic of its ideological context. As both a rigorous academic text and a work of propaganda, it offers a detailed account of the materialist conception of history, as first articulated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, while reflecting the political priorities of the USSR in the mid-20th century.

Afanasyev approaches historical materialism as the definitive scientific framework for understanding the development of human society. The text systematically outlines the core principles of the theory, from the primacy of material conditions in shaping social relations to the dialectical interplay between the forces and relations of production. The author is methodical, often dissecting complex ideas into accessible explanations, which makes the book suitable for both serious students of Marxism and ideological novices.

One of the strengths of Historical Materialism is its ability to ground abstract concepts in concrete historical examples. Afanasyev deftly links theory to practice, using historical events to illustrate the inexorable logic of class struggle and the transition between modes of production. For instance, his analysis of the shift from feudalism to capitalism demonstrates how technological advances and the evolution of productive forces undermine existing social orders, setting the stage for revolutionary change.

However, the book is not without its limitations. Written in the context of Soviet orthodoxy, it occasionally sacrifices nuance for dogmatism. Afanasyev presents historical materialism not as a dynamic framework open to reinterpretation but as a closed system, immune to critique. This rigidity can feel at odds with the inherently dialectical nature of Marxist thought, which thrives on contradiction and evolution. Moreover, the text is deeply rooted in its time and place, often prioritizing the validation of Soviet policies over a genuinely critical engagement with Marxist theory.

Afanasyev also tends to overstate the determinism of economic factors in shaping human history. While Marx himself acknowledged the interplay between material conditions and ideological superstructures, Historical Materialism occasionally reduces this relationship to a one-sided causality, underplaying the reciprocal influence of culture, politics, and ideas on economic life.

Despite these shortcomings, Afanasyev’s work remains an invaluable resource for understanding the Soviet interpretation of Marxism. It offers a snapshot of a particular historical moment, when Marxist theory was both a tool for analyzing the past and a justification for governing the present. For readers seeking a thorough introduction to historical materialism, Historical Materialism provides clarity and structure, albeit through the lens of ideological orthodoxy.

In a broader sense, the book invites reflection on the adaptability of Marxist thought in different contexts. While Afanasyev’s account is firmly tethered to the Soviet project, the core insights of historical materialism continue to resonate, challenging us to understand history not as a series of isolated events but as a dynamic process shaped by the material conditions of human life. Whether one approaches the text as a believer, a skeptic, or simply a curious reader, it is a reminder of the enduring relevance—and contentiousness—of Marxist ideas.