Marxism, Post-Marxism and Development Fetishism

Abstract

This article examines the impasse in development studies and takes issue with the contention that the roots of this impasse lie in the work of Marx. It does so by examining orthodox and structuralist versions of Marxism, and argues that these determinist approaches actually fetishise, in Marx's sense, social reality. This argument is outlined by an extended examination of the historical and social significance of the transition from feudalism to capitalism in England. It is also argued that post Marxism, in replacing a theoretical determinism with an atheoretical empiricism, has not necessarily transcended the impasse. Finally, some suggestions are made for transcending the impasse in development studies.