Itihas er Uttaradhikar by Partha Chattopadhyay [Hardcover]

"The author of this book has been deeply engaged in the study of the state, nationalism, and history for a long time. Through various thought-provoking essays, he has expressed his clear and straightforward views on these subjects. Itihasher Uttaradhikar (The Legacy of History) is a comprehensive collection of his reflections.

It is noteworthy that while many discussions have taken place regarding Marxist philosophy, Marxist thinkers have not engaged in any fundamental discourse on the core tenets of modern political philosophy. The author revisits Marx’s writings on state theory, seeking new directions. What has socialist thought in the twentieth century contributed to the understanding of the state? The stark and honest answer is—very little. In various socialist countries, the prevailing notion has been that state structures are merely temporary arrangements for administrative purposes.

According to the author, if a new socialist system emerges in the coming century, it must break free from bureaucratic control and expert dependency while simultaneously paving the way for a new political movement. His proposition regarding nationalism suggests that for democracy to expand, India’s current federal structure requires extensive reorganization. In this process of restructuring, the Dalit community will play a decisive role in the future.

The essays on history repeatedly explore themes of capital, communal consciousness, nationalism, and the state. Additionally, another crucial perspective is introduced—the complex, conflict-ridden, yet deeply intertwined relationship between the East and the West."