The History and Ideas of Marxism: The Relevance for OR

Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol.59(12), pp.1573-1590, 2008

Posted: 22 Apr 2016

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

The paper examines the origins of Marxism in Europe in the second half of the 19th century in the context of the industrial and political revolutions of the previous century. The philosophical, economic, social and ethical ideas of Marxism are explained and critiqued. It is suggested that although many of Marx’s predictions have proved wrong and the application of his ideas often disastrous, his concern for the exploited and his emphasis on the dynamic of change still has relevance today for OR. The paper explores where that relevance lies and how advantage might be taken of the insights Marx’s analysis of society offers.

Keywords: Philosophy of OR, History of Ideas, Marxism, Process of OR

Suggested Citation

Ormerod, Richard J., The History and Ideas of Marxism: The Relevance for OR (2008). Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol.59(12), pp.1573-1590, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2768680

Richard J. Ormerod (Contact Author)

University of Warwick ( email )

Gibbet Hill Rd.
Coventry, West Midlands CV4 8UW
United Kingdom

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