Theory of Need in Marx

The basic discoveries underlying Marx's critique of political economy - labour power, surplus value, use value - are all in some way built upon the concept of need. From Marx's varying and passing interpretations of a theory of need, Agnes Heller unravels the main tendencies and demonstrates the importance which Marx attached to the "e;restructuring"e; of a system of needs going beyond the purely material. She also brings out those aspects, especially the idea of "e;radical needs"e; which point to revolutionary activity and to the project which Marx could only foresee but which for us today is of real urgency: the "e;society of associated producers"e;. Thus Agnes Heller's study is not only the first full presentation of a fundamental aspect of Marx, but the basis for a discussion of the utmost contemporary relevance.