Historical Analysis as a Level of Political Economy

Abstract

In our usage, “marxian political economy” is the general theory of capitalism with three distinct levels of analysis. Although this book focuses on the middle level of analysis, stage theory, it must be admitted that historical analysis will sometimes seep into the exposition. This is because, as we conceive of their interrelation, there is some overlap. Stage theory utilizes pure theory and historical analysis to construct an abstract type, while historical analysis uses both pure theory and stage theory to understand historical change. The focus is different: stage theory is primarily synchronic and historical analysis diachronic, but their autonomy from each other is far from absolute.