In and Against the State

This edition of In and Against the State revisits crucial questions of state power and working-class struggle, emphasizing the need for a renewed socialist strategy.

Forty years after its initial release, In and Against the State makes a timely return, now featuring a new introduction and an insightful interview with John McDonnell. Originally published as a pamphlet in 1979 and reissued by Pluto in 1980, the book examines the interplay between working-class struggle and state power. It poses critical questions about how revolutionary socialists can effectively engage in the public sector while maintaining their radical ideals. The authors draw on autonomist political ideas and practices that were pivotal during the protests of 1968, engaging a generation of activists who grappled with the direction of their efforts.

Despite the passage of four decades, the questions raised in In and Against the State remain relevant today. The decline of Corbynism, coupled with the global pandemic, has underscored the urgent need for a renewed socialist strategy. The book's exploration of these themes continues to resonate, prompting readers to reconsider their positions and actions in the face of contemporary challenges.

This new edition not only revisits the original content but also includes a fresh introduction by Seth Wheeler and an interview with John McDonnell. These additions reflect on the ongoing significance of In and Against the State and the pressing issues it addresses, inviting readers to engage with its ideas in the context of today's political landscape.