Bertell Ollman

Bertell Ollman is a professor of politics at New York University and a prominent scholar of Marxist theory, dialectics, and political science. He has written extensively on Marx's methodology and the application of dialectical thinking to understanding capitalism and social change. Ollman's most influential work includes "Alienation: Marx's Conception of Man in Capitalist Society" (1971) and "Dance of the Dialectic: Steps in Marx's Method" (2003). His scholarship has helped clarify Marx's theories of alienation and dialectical method for contemporary audiences, while developing new frameworks for analyzing social relations under capitalism. As part of his commitment to making Marxist ideas accessible, Ollman created the board game "Class Struggle" in 1978, which aimed to teach players about class relations and social conflict. His academic work spans over four decades and includes numerous books and articles on political theory, class analysis, and dialectical methodology. Beyond his theoretical contributions, Ollman has been active in academic politics and has written critically about the role of universities in American society. His analyses of academic freedom and the corporatization of higher education appear in works like "How to Take an Exam...and Remake the World" (2001).

Readers consistently note Ollman's ability to explain complex Marxist concepts in clear terms. His explanations of dialectics and alienation receive specific praise from students and academics. What readers liked: - Clear breakdown of Marx's methodology - Examples that connect theory to real-world situations - Systematic approach to explaining dialectical thinking - The board game "Class Struggle" as an educational tool What readers disliked: - Dense academic language in some sections - Repetitive points across different works - Limited engagement with non-Marxist perspectives - Some find his interpretations of Marx too rigid Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Alienation": 4.2/5 (127 ratings) - "Dance of the Dialectic": 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - "How to Take an Exam": 4.0/5 (15 reviews) - "Class Struggle" board game: 3.8/5 (historical listings) One PhD student noted: "Ollman's explanation of internal relations finally made dialectics click for me." A common criticism from reviews: "Sometimes gets lost in theoretical abstractions at the expense of practical application."

Alienation: Marx's Conception of Man in a Capitalist Society (1971) An analysis of Marx's theory of alienation, examining how capitalism affects human relationships and labor.

Social and Sexual Revolution: Essays on Marx and Reich (1978) A collection of essays connecting Marxist theory with Wilhelm Reich's work on sexuality and psychology.

Dialectical Investigations (1993) An examination of dialectical method in social theory and its application to understanding social change.

Dance of the Dialectic: Steps in Marx's Method (2003) A detailed study of Marx's dialectical methodology and its relevance to social analysis.

Ball Busters and Poker Face: How to Run a Profitable Student Newspaper (1991) A practical guide to managing campus newspapers based on the author's experience at NYU.

Class Struggle is the Name of the Game: True Confessions of a Marxist Businessman (1983) A discussion of capitalism through the lens of the author's experience creating and marketing the board game "Class Struggle."

Market Socialism: The Debate Among Socialists (1997) A compilation of opposing viewpoints on market socialism featuring contributions from various scholars.

How to Take an Exam...and Remake the World (2001) A guide combining practical test-taking advice with analysis of social and political structures.

Erik Olin Wright analyzes social class and capitalism through a Marxist theoretical framework. His work on "real utopias" explores practical alternatives to existing economic and social institutions.

David Harvey provides geographical analysis of capitalism and writings on Marx's theories. His work examines urban development, neoliberalism, and the spatial dimensions of capital accumulation.

Ellen Meiksins Wood focuses on the historical development of capitalism and critiques of economic determinism. She explores the relationship between democracy and capitalism through historical materialist analysis.

Harry Braverman examines labor processes and the degradation of work under capitalism. His analysis of how management techniques affect workers builds directly on Marx's theories of alienation and labor.

G.A. Cohen developed analytical Marxist theory and examines questions of justice and equality. His work provides systematic analysis of historical materialism and Marxist concepts using tools from analytic philosophy.