"The 'century of marxism' is over but, as French political philosopher Jacques Derrida has put it, 'There will be no future without Marx. ' This apparent paradox is the underlying theme of this book. It is not yet another exercise in marxology or, for that matter, in demonology. Rather, it engages critically and imaginatively with Marx's own treatment of what are now key issues - underdevelopment, gender, culture, sustainability. It also examines in a sober way the experience of the self-proclaimed socialist societies in relation to the same topics. "--BOOK JACKET.